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An unresponsive 79-year-old is admitted to the emergency department (ED) during a summer heat wave. The patient’s core temperature is 105.4°F (40.8°C), blood pressure (BP) 88/50, and pulse 112. The nurse initially will plan to:
- A. Apply wet sheets and a fan to the patient.
- B. Provide O2 at 6 L/min with a nasal cannula.
- C. Start lactated Ringer's solution at 1000 mL/hr.
- D. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) rectal suppository.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply wet sheets and a fan to the patient. This is the initial treatment for hyperthermia to aid in lowering the body temperature. Wet sheets help in evaporative cooling, while a fan enhances heat loss through convection. This approach is crucial in managing heat-related illnesses quickly. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the urgent need to reduce the patient's elevated core temperature. Providing O2, IV fluids, or acetaminophen can be considered later in the management, but the priority is to rapidly lower the body temperature in a hyperthermic patient to prevent further complications.
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A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and influenza. Which categories of illness should the nurse develop goals for the client's plan of care?
- A. One chronic and one acute illness.
- B. Two acute illnesses.
- C. One acute and one infectious illness.
- D. Two chronic illnesses.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: One chronic and one acute illness. This is because Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition, while influenza is an acute illness. The nurse should develop goals addressing the management and control of the chronic condition (diabetes) as well as the treatment and recovery from the acute illness (influenza). This approach ensures comprehensive care that considers both the long-term management of the chronic illness and the immediate needs related to the acute illness.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the combination of chronic and acute illnesses presented in the scenario. Choice B focuses solely on two acute illnesses, which overlooks the ongoing management required for the chronic condition. Choice C combines an acute and an infectious illness, but fails to account for the chronic illness component. Choice D involves two chronic illnesses, neglecting the immediate care needed for the acute illness.
A statement that provides a legally recognized descriptiona obifrb a.cno min/tedsitv idual’s desires regarding care at the end of life is referred to as what?
- A. Advance directive
- B. Guardianship ad item
- C. Healthcare proxy
- D. Power of attorney
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Advance directive. An advance directive is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment and care at the end of life. It allows individuals to specify their preferences for medical interventions if they become unable to communicate.
Summary of other choices:
B: Guardianship ad item - This does not specifically pertain to an individual's end-of-life care wishes.
C: Healthcare proxy - While similar to an advance directive, a healthcare proxy specifically designates a person to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual, rather than specifying their own wishes.
D: Power of attorney - This grants someone the authority to make legal decisions on behalf of the individual, but it does not specifically address end-of-life care preferences.
A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical unit. What action is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
- B. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
- C. Don a clean gown for client care.
- D. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assign the client to a negative air-flow room. This is crucial to prevent the spread of TB to other patients and healthcare workers. Negative air-flow rooms help contain airborne pathogens. Option A is not sufficient as it only protects the client, not others. Option C is important for infection control but not the priority in this situation. Option D is not as effective as placing the client in a negative air-flow room. Overall, option B is the best choice to ensure the safety of everyone in the unit.
A hospice patient develops a pressure ulcer despite proper repositioning. What should the nurse include in the care plan?
- A. Implement more aggressive wound care strategies.
- B. Ensure adequate hydration and nutrition.
- C. Discuss the prognosis and expected outcomes with the family.
- D. Encourage increased physical activity to improve circulation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because implementing more aggressive wound care strategies is essential for managing pressure ulcers effectively. This includes proper wound cleaning, debridement, and dressing changes to promote healing. Adequate hydration and nutrition (choice B) are important but may not directly address the pressure ulcer. Discussing prognosis and expected outcomes (choice C) is important but may not directly impact wound healing. Encouraging increased physical activity (choice D) may be contraindicated due to the patient's condition.
The nurse is preparing to measure the thermodilution cardaiabicrb o.cuomtp/tuest t (TdCO) in a patient being monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. Which action by the nurse best ensures the safety of the patient?
- A. Ensure the transducer system is zero referenced at the level of the phlebostatic axis.
- B. Avoid infusing vasoactive agents in the port used to ob tain the TdCO measurement.
- C. Maintain a pressure of 300 mm Hg on the flush solutioanbi rub.scionmg/t eas tp ressure bag.
- D. Limit the length of the noncompliant pressure tubing to a maximum 48 inches.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid infusing vasoactive agents in the port used to obtain the TdCO measurement. This action ensures patient safety by preventing the introduction of vasoactive agents directly into the bloodstream during the measurement process. Infusing vasoactive agents can lead to inaccurate TdCO readings and potentially harm the patient.
Choice A is incorrect because zero referencing the transducer system at the level of the phlebostatic axis is important for accurate pressure monitoring but not directly related to TdCO measurement safety.
Choice C is incorrect as maintaining a pressure of 300 mm Hg on the flush solution bag is not directly related to the safety of TdCO measurement.
Choice D is incorrect as limiting the length of noncompliant pressure tubing is important for accurate pressure readings but not directly related to the safety of TdCO measurement.