Nokea
A client arrived in the emergency department with a sharp object penetrating the diaphragm. When planning nursing care, which client need would the nurse identify as a priority?
- A. Acute pain
- B. Infection risk
- C. Impaired gas exchange
- D. Ineffective airway clearance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. On inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, creating a partial vacuum. Without this vacuum, air is not as efficiently drawn into the thoracic cavity. Hypoxia or hypoxemia may occur from the poor availability of oxygen. Although the nursing diagnosis of acute pain is probable, gas exchange is a higher priority. Ineffective airway clearance is not the greatest concern because the problem is with ventilation. Infection risk is present but is not the highest-priority client need.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a client who states, 'I am really worried about the thoracentesis. I know I won't be able to sleep tonight.' Which statement is most helpful to the client at this time?
- A. Tell me what you are worried about.'
- B. Is there something that I can help you with?'
- C. Is there someone that you would like me to call to be with you?'
- D. The physician will see you before the procedure and can answer any questions.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A thoracentesis is performed by inserting a needle into the wall under local anesthesia. The thoracentesis is often done at the bedside. Providing support to the client before, during, and after the treatment is a nursing responsibility. When the client expresses being worried, asking an open-ended question promotes communication and is most therapeutic. Asking if there is something that a nurse can do is a closed-ended question. Asking about calling someone to be with the client makes the nurse seem uninterested. Talking with the physician closes communication with the nurse, making the nurse seem uninterested.
The nurse working in the radiology clinic is assisting with a pulmonary angiography. The nurse knows that when monitoring clients after a pulmonary angiography, what should the physician be notified about?
- A. Raised temperature in the affected limb
- B. Excessive capillary refill
- C. Absent distal pulses
- D. Flushed feeling in the client
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When monitoring clients after a pulmonary angiography, nurses must notify the physician about diminished or absent distal pulses, cool skin temperature in the affected limb, and poor capillary refill. Absent distal pulses may indicate damage to the artery or a clot. When the contrast medium is infused, the client will sense a warm, flushed feeling.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client who has a history of a respiratory infection. Which documentation, completed by the nurse, indicates improvement in an area of the lung affected by the infection?
- A. Lung fields documented as clear.
- B. Palpable vibrations over the chest wall when the client speaks.
- C. Decreased fremitus when the client feels the vibration in their chest.
- D. Dull sounds percussed over the lung tissue.
- E. Bronchial sounds heard only in the affected area.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To determine if the client's respiratory infection has resolved, the nurse should assess the client's normal respiratory status. Lungs will return to clear breath sounds. Palpable vibrations will be felt ,as they may be normal if there is no infection in the lungs. A client with consolidation of a lobe of the lung from pneumonia has increased tactile fremitus over that lobe. A decreased fremitus would indicate resolution of infection. Bronchial sounds will be noted over the upper lung fields. An increased fremitus is noted as the client speaks '99.' Dull percussed sounds indicate an area of consolidation or infection.
The nurse is suctioning a client who is unable to expectorate respiratory secretions. At which point does the nurse expect the client to experience coughing?
- A. When the catheter reaches the back of the pharynx
- B. When the catheter enters the main bronchus of the lung
- C. When the catheter reaches the point of the carina
- D. When the catheter tickles the uvula
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Upon the catheter stimulating the carina, coughing and even bronchospasm may occur. Productive secretions may be loosened and eliminated via the suction catheter. When the catheter reaches the back of the pharynx near the uvula, the gag reflex is initiated. The suction catheter does not reach the entrance of the lung.
A client experiences a head injury in a motor vehicle accident. The client's level of consciousness is declining, and respirations have become slow and shallow. When monitoring a client's respiratory status, which area of the brain would the nurse realize is responsible for the rate and depth?
- A. The pons
- B. The frontal lobe
- C. Central sulcus
- D. Wernicke's area
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The inspiratory and expiratory centers in the medulla oblongata and pons control the rate and depth of ventilation. When injury occurs or increased intracranial pressure results, respirations are slowed. The frontal lobe completes executive functions and cognition. The central sulcus is a fold in the cerebral cortex called the central fissure. The Wernicke's area is the area linked to speech.