What nonpharmacological approaches to pain and/or anxie ty may best meet the needs of critically ill patients? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Anaerobic exercise
- B. Art therapy
- C. Guided imagery
- D. Music therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Art therapy. Art therapy can help critically ill patients express emotions, reduce anxiety, and cope with pain in a nonverbal way. It provides a creative outlet for self-expression and can improve overall well-being. Anaerobic exercise (A) may not be suitable for critically ill patients due to physical limitations. Guided imagery (C) may not be effective for all patients and requires a certain level of cognitive ability. Music therapy (D) can be beneficial, but art therapy is specifically known for its effectiveness in addressing emotional and psychological needs in critically ill patients.
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Identify which substances in the glomerular filtrate would indicate a problem with renal function. (Select all that apply.)
- A. Protein
- B. Sodium
- C. Creatinine
- D. Red blood cells
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The presence of protein in the glomerular filtrate indicates a problem with renal function because in healthy kidneys, proteins are retained in the blood and not filtered into the urine. If protein is found in the filtrate, it suggests damage to the glomerular filtration barrier. Sodium, creatinine, and red blood cells are normally present in the filtrate and are not indicative of renal dysfunction. Sodium is freely filtered and reabsorbed, creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism excreted by the kidneys, and a small number of red blood cells may be filtered due to their small size. Therefore, protein in the glomerular filtrate is the most specific indicator of renal dysfunction.
A nurse in a burn unit observes that a patient is tensed up and frowning but silent. The nurse asks the patient, Can you tell me what you are thinking now? The patient responds, I cant take this pain any more! I feel like Im about to die. What would be the best response for the nurse to give to the patient, considering that the patient is already receiving the maximum amount pain medication that is safe?
- A. Try to get rid of those negative thoughtsthey only make it worse.
- B. Try thinking instead, This pain will go away; I can overcome it.
- C. Your pain medication is already at the highest possible dose.
- D. Would you like me to raise the head of your bed?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is C: Your pain medication is already at the highest possible dose. This response acknowledges the patient's pain and reassures them that they are already receiving the maximum safe amount of pain medication. By stating this, the nurse is validating the patient's experience and showing empathy. It is important for the nurse to communicate clearly about the medication to manage the patient's expectations.
Choice A is incorrect as it dismisses the patient's pain and can come across as insensitive. Choice B may be well-intentioned but does not address the immediate concern of the patient's pain. Choice D is irrelevant to the patient's statement about pain and does not offer any immediate support or reassurance regarding the pain management.
Which is the most important outcome for a patient receiving palliative care?
- A. Complete resolution of the underlying disease.
- B. Improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
- C. Increased adherence to curative treatments.
- D. Achievement of long-term survival goals.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Improvement in symptoms and quality of life. In palliative care, the primary focus is on enhancing the patient's quality of life by managing symptoms and providing comfort. This is achieved through effective symptom control, psychosocial support, and improving overall well-being. Complete resolution of the underlying disease (A) is often not possible in palliative care as the focus shifts from curative treatments to comfort care. Increased adherence to curative treatments (C) may not be the main goal in palliative care, as the emphasis is on improving the patient's comfort rather than prolonging life. Achievement of long-term survival goals (D) is not typically the primary outcome in palliative care, as the focus is on providing support and care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient following bilateral lung transplantation. When planning the care of this patient, what is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Thirty-degree elevation of head of bed
- B. Endotracheal suctioning as needed
- C. Frequent side to side repositioning
- D. Sequential compression stockings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Thirty-degree elevation of the head of the bed. This is the priority nursing intervention for a mechanically ventilated patient following bilateral lung transplantation because it helps optimize ventilation-perfusion matching, reduces the risk of aspiration, and improves oxygenation. Elevating the head of the bed also decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
B: Endotracheal suctioning as needed is important but not the priority intervention in this case.
C: Frequent side to side repositioning is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not the priority for a ventilated patient post-lung transplant.
D: Sequential compression stockings are used for preventing deep vein thrombosis, which is important but not the priority in this scenario.
The nurse uses subtle measures of painful stimuli, such as nailbed pressure to elicit a response from a neurologically impaired patient. By using this meth od rather than nipple pinching, the nurse is exemplifying what ethical principle?
- A. Beneficence
- B. Fidelity
- C. Nonmaleficence
- D. Veracity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nonmaleficence. The nurse is demonstrating nonmaleficence by choosing a less harmful method (nailbed pressure) to assess pain in a neurologically impaired patient, instead of a more painful method (nipple pinching). Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of avoiding harm or minimizing harm to the patient. In this scenario, the nurse is prioritizing the well-being and comfort of the patient by using a less invasive and painful method to elicit a response. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because beneficence refers to doing good for the patient, fidelity to being loyal and maintaining trust, and veracity to truthfulness and honesty, none of which directly apply in this situation.