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A critically ill patient is not expected to survive this admission. The family asks the nurse how the patient is doing. When answering this question, what should the nurse include?
- A. Emphasize that the patient is young and strong and may still survive.
- B. Refer the family to the physician for all details and answers.
- C. Give specific information such as descending trends in parameters.
- D. Ask if the family has determined which funeral home will be called.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because providing specific information such as descending trends in parameters helps the family understand the patient's condition objectively. This allows them to prepare emotionally and make informed decisions. Option A is incorrect because false hope should not be given. Option B is not the best approach as the nurse should still provide some information to the family. Option D is inappropriate and insensitive as it focuses on funeral arrangements rather than addressing the family's concerns about the patient's condition.
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The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient an d responds to a high inspiratory pressure alarm. Recognizing possible causes for the alarma, btihrbe.c nomu/rtesset assesses for which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Coughing or attempting to talk
- B. Disconnection from the ventilator
- C. Kinks in the ventilator tubing
- D. Need for suctioning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Disconnection from the ventilator. This is the correct choice because a high inspiratory pressure alarm can indicate a disconnection, leading to inadequate ventilation and increased pressure in the circuit. This can be a life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.
Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Coughing or attempting to talk - While coughing or talking may affect the patient's ability to ventilate properly, it is not directly related to the high inspiratory pressure alarm.
C: Kinks in the ventilator tubing - Kinks in the tubing may cause increased resistance to airflow, but they are more likely to trigger a low pressure alarm rather than a high inspiratory pressure alarm.
D: Need for suctioning - Suctioning may be necessary for airway clearance, but it is not directly related to the high inspiratory pressure alarm.
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.
Following surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the patient’s central venous pressure (CVP) monitor indicates low pressures. Which action is a priority for the nurse to take?
- A. Administer IV diuretic medications.
- B. Increase the IV fluid infusion per protocol.
- C. Document the CVP and continue to monitor.
- D. Elevate the head of the patient's bed to 45 degrees.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increase the IV fluid infusion per protocol. Low CVP post-abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery could indicate hypovolemia, which requires fluid resuscitation. Increasing IV fluid infusion helps restore intravascular volume, improve tissue perfusion, and prevent hypotension. Administering diuretics (A) would worsen hypovolemia. Documenting (C) is important but not the priority when the patient needs immediate intervention. Elevating the head of the bed (D) may help with venous return but is not the priority over addressing hypovolemia.
In determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or creatinine clearance, a 24-hour urine is obtained. If a reliable 24-hour urine collection is not possible,
- A. it is not possible to determine the GFR.
- B. the BUN may be used to determine renal function.
- C. an elevated BUN/creatinine ratio can be used.
- D. a standardized formula may be used to calculate GFR.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because when a reliable 24-hour urine collection is not possible, a standardized formula can be used to estimate GFR. The Cockcroft-Gault equation or the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation are commonly used formulas to estimate GFR based on serum creatinine levels, age, gender, and race. These formulas provide a reasonable estimation of kidney function in the absence of a 24-hour urine collection.
Choice A is incorrect because there are alternative methods available to estimate GFR. Choice B is incorrect because BUN alone is not sufficient to accurately determine renal function. Choice C is incorrect because an elevated BUN/creatinine ratio is not a direct measure of GFR and may be influenced by factors other than kidney function, such as hydration status or liver function.
In the critically ill patient, an incomplete assessment and/or management of pain or anxiety may be hampered by which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Administration of neuromuscular blocking agents
- B. Delirium
- C. Effective nurse communication and assessment skills
- D. Nonverbal patients
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Administration of neuromuscular blocking agents can hinder pain or anxiety assessment as it paralyzes the patient, preventing them from communicating discomfort.
2. Delirium may affect the patient's ability to express pain or anxiety, but it does not directly impede assessment and management.
3. Effective nurse communication and assessment skills facilitate, rather than hamper, pain or anxiety assessment.
4. Nonverbal patients can still communicate pain or anxiety through nonverbal cues, so they do not necessarily hinder assessment.