Nokea
A client who survived a house fire is experiencing respiratory distress, and an inhalation injury is suspected. What should the nurse monitor to determine the presence of carbon monoxide poisoning?
- A. Pulse oximetry
- B. Urine myoglobin
- C. Sputum carbon levels
- D. Serum carboxyhemoglobin levels
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Serum carboxyhemoglobin levels are the most direct measure of carbon monoxide poisoning, provide the level of poisoning, and thus determine the appropriate treatment measures. The carbon monoxide molecule has a 200 times greater affinity for binding with hemoglobin than an oxygen molecule, causing decreased availability of oxygen to the cells. Clients are treated with 100% oxygen under pressure (hyperbaric oxygen therapy). Options 1, 2, and 3 would not identify carbon monoxide poisoning.
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A client diagnosed with gestational hypertension has just been admitted and is in early active labor. Which assessment finding should the nurse most likely expect to note?
- A. Increased urine output
- B. Increased blood pressure
- C. Decreased fetal heart rate
- D. Decreased brachial reflexes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The major manifestation of gestational hypertension is increased blood pressure. As the disease progresses, it is possible that increased brachial reflexes, decreased fetal heart rate and variability, and decreased urine output will occur, particularly during labor.
The nurse suspects that an air embolism has occurred when the client's central venous catheter disconnects from the intravenous (IV) tubing. The nurse immediately places the client on her or his left side in which position?
- A. High Fowler's
- B. Trendelenburg's
- C. Lateral recumbent
- D. Reverse Trendelenburg's
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If the client develops an air embolism, the immediate action is to place the client in Trendelenburg's position on the left side. This position raises the client's feet higher than the head and traps any air in the right atrium. If necessary, the air can then be directly removed by intracardiac aspiration.
The nurse is caring for a client who sustained a spinal cord injury that has resulted in spinal shock. Which assessment will provide relevant information about recovery from spinal shock?
- A. Reflexes
- B. Pulse rate
- C. Temperature
- D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Areflexia characterizes spinal shock; therefore, reflexes would provide the best information about recovery. Vital sign changes (options 2, 3, and 4) are not consistently affected by spinal shock. Because vital signs are affected by many factors, they do not give reliable information about spinal shock recovery.
The nurse is caring for a client with a terminal condition who is dying. Which respiratory assessment findings should indicate to the nurse that death is imminent? Select all that apply.
- A. Dyspnea
- B. Cyanosis
- C. Tachypnea
- D. Kussmaul's respiration
- E. Irregular respiratory pattern
- F. Adventitious bubbling lung sounds
Correct Answer: A,B,E,F
Rationale: Respiratory assessment findings that indicate death is imminent include poor gas exchange as evidenced by hypoxia, dyspnea, or cyanosis; altered patterns of respiration, such as slow, labored, irregular, or Cheyne-Stokes pattern (alternating periods of apnea and deep, rapid breathing); increased respiratory secretions and adventitious bubbling lung sounds (death rattle); and irritation of the tracheobronchial airway as evidenced by hiccups, chest pain, fatigue, or exhaustion. Kussmaul's respirations are abnormally deep, very rapid sighing respirations characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis. Tachypnea is defined as rapid breathing.
The primary health care provider prescribes a dose of intravenous (IV) potassium chloride for a client. When administering the IV potassium chloride, which action should the nurse take?
- A. Inject it as a bolus.
- B. Use a filter in the IV line.
- C. Dilute it per medication instructions.
- D. Apply cool compresses to the IV site.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium chloride is very irritating to the vein and must be diluted to prevent phlebitis and is administered using an IV pump. Potassium chloride is never administered as a bolus injection because it can cause cardiac arrest. A filter is not necessary for potassium solutions. Cool compresses would constrict the blood vessel, which could possibly be more irritating to the vein.