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A critically ill patient who is intubated and agitated is restrained with soft wrist restraints. Based on research findings, what is the best nursing action?
- A. Maintain the restraints to protect patient safety.
- B. Remove the restraints periodically to check skin integrity.
- C. Remove the restraints periodically for range of motion.
- D. Assess and intervene for causes of agitation. Answer Key
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Assess and intervene for causes of agitation. In a critically ill patient, agitation while intubated could indicate underlying issues like pain, delirium, or inadequate sedation. By assessing and addressing the root cause of agitation, the nurse can improve patient comfort and prevent potential harm from restraints. Removing restraints periodically for skin integrity (B) and range of motion (C) is important but should not be the primary focus when agitation is present. Maintaining restraints (A) without addressing the agitation could lead to increased distress and potential complications.
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A patient who has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and has a poor prognosis plans a trip across the country to settle some issues with their siblings. The nurse recognizes that the patient is manifesting which psychosocial response to death?
- A. Restlessness.
- B. Yearning and protest.
- C. Anxiety about unfinished business.
- D. Fear of the meaninglessness of one’s life.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Anxiety about unfinished business. The patient's desire to settle issues with their siblings before death indicates a concern about unresolved matters. This response aligns with the concept of psychosocial responses to death, specifically the need for closure and resolution. Restlessness (choice A) may not necessarily indicate a specific focus on unfinished business. Yearning and protest (choice B) typically refer to the initial stages of grief, not specifically related to settling unresolved issues. Fear of the meaninglessness of one's life (choice D) is more existential and philosophical, whereas the patient's focus here is on addressing specific issues with their siblings.
What is the main purpose of certification for critical care n ursing?
- A. To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake.
- B. To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate sch ool.
- C. To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility.
- D. To validate a nurse’s knowledge of critical care nursing
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: To validate a nurse’s knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification in critical care nursing validates a nurse's expertise and knowledge in this specialized area of nursing. It demonstrates that the nurse has met certain standards and competencies in critical care practice. This certification ensures that the nurse is well-equipped to provide high-quality care to critically ill patients.
A: To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake - This choice is incorrect because certification does not guarantee that nurses will not make mistakes. It focuses on validating knowledge and skills rather than infallibility.
B: To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate school - This choice is incorrect as certification is more focused on practice readiness rather than academic preparation.
C: To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility - This choice is incorrect as magnet status relates more to the overall excellence and quality of nursing care in a facility, not individual certification.
The nurse notes premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) while suctioning a patient’s endotracheal tube. Which action by the nurse is a priority?
- A. Decrease the suction pressure to 80 mm Hg.
- B. Document the dysrhythmia in the patient’s chart.
- C. Stop and ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen.
- D. Give antidysrhythmic medications per protocol.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Stop and ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen. This is the priority action because PVCs can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias and inadequate oxygenation. By stopping suctioning and providing 100% oxygen, the nurse ensures proper oxygenation and ventilation, which takes precedence over addressing the dysrhythmia itself. Decreasing suction pressure (choice A) may not address the underlying issue and could potentially harm the patient. Documenting the dysrhythmia (choice B) is important but not as urgent as ensuring adequate oxygenation. Giving antidysrhythmic medications (choice D) should be done under the direction of a healthcare provider and is not the first-line intervention in this situation.
A patient who is receiving positive pressure ventilation is scheduled for a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). Which finding by the nurse is most important to discuss with the health care provider before starting the SBT?
- A. New ST segment elevation is noted on the cardiac monitor.
- B. Enteral feedings are being given through an orogastric tube.
- C. Scattered rhonchi are heard when auscultating breath sounds.
- D. HYDROmorphone (Dilaudid) is being used to treat postoperative pain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: New ST segment elevation is noted on the cardiac monitor. This finding is concerning because it may indicate myocardial ischemia or infarction, which can be exacerbated by the physiological stress of weaning from mechanical ventilation. It is crucial to address any cardiac issues before initiating a spontaneous breathing trial to prevent potential cardiac complications during the weaning process.
Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect:
B: Enteral feedings being given through an orogastric tube are not contraindicated for starting a spontaneous breathing trial.
C: Scattered rhonchi heard when auscultating breath sounds may indicate retained secretions but are not a contraindication for a spontaneous breathing trial.
D: The use of HYDROmorphone to treat postoperative pain is not a contraindication for a spontaneous breathing trial unless it is causing respiratory depression, which would need to be addressed separately.
The nursing is caring for a patient who has had an arterial line inserted. To reduce the risk of complications, what is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Apply a pressure dressing to the insertion site.
- B. Ensure all tubing connections are tightened.
- C. Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement.
- D. Restrain the affected extremity for 24 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement. This is the priority intervention because it ensures the arterial line is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as dislodgement or improper placement. Applying a pressure dressing (choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority. Ensuring tubing connections are tightened (choice B) is important for preventing leaks but does not address placement. Restraining the affected extremity (choice D) is unnecessary and can lead to complications. The x-ray confirms correct placement, ensuring accurate monitoring and treatment.