A family member approaches the nurse caring for their gra vely ill son and states, “We want to donate our son’s organs.” What is the best action by the nu rse?
- A. Arrange a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians.
- B. Consult the hospital’s ethics committee for a ruling.
- C. Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO).
- D. Obtain family consent to withdraw life support.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO). This is the best action because the OPO is responsible for coordinating organ donation and transplantation. By involving the OPO, the nurse ensures that the donation process is handled appropriately and ethically.
Choice A: Arranging a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians may be necessary but should not be the first step in this situation.
Choice B: Consulting the hospital’s ethics committee may be helpful, but the immediate priority is to involve the OPO to facilitate organ donation.
Choice D: Obtaining family consent to withdraw life support is not the nurse’s role in this situation. The focus should be on organ donation to honor the family's wishes.
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What is the basic underlying pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome?
- A. A decrease in the number of white blood cells availabl e.
- B. Damage to the right mainstem bronchus.
- C. Damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce suarbfiarbc.tcaomnt/t.e st
- D. Decreased capillary permeability.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce surfactant. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by damage to the alveolar epithelium, including type II pneumocytes responsible for producing surfactant. Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse. Damage to type II pneumocytes impairs surfactant production, leading to alveolar collapse and impaired gas exchange. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ARDS is not primarily caused by a decrease in white blood cells, damage to the right mainstem bronchus, or decreased capillary permeability.
The primary health care provider writes an order to discon tinue a patient’s left radial arterial line. When discontinuing the patient’s invasive line, what is the priority nursing action?
- A. Apply an air occlusion dressing to insertion site.
- B. Apply pressure to the insertion site for 5 minutes.
- C. Elevate the affected limb on pillows for 24 hours.
- D. Keep the patient’s wrist in a neutral position.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Apply pressure to the insertion site for 5 minutes. This is the priority nursing action because it helps prevent bleeding and hematoma formation after removing the arterial line. Applying pressure for 5 minutes allows for adequate hemostasis.
A: Applying an air occlusion dressing to the insertion site is not the priority action. It does not address the immediate need to control bleeding.
C: Elevating the affected limb on pillows for 24 hours is not necessary and does not address the immediate need for hemostasis.
D: Keeping the patient's wrist in a neutral position is not the priority action when discontinuing an arterial line. It does not address the need for hemostasis and preventing bleeding.
assessment, the patient is restless, heart rate has increased to 110 beats/min, respirations are 36 breaths/min, and blood pressure is 156/98 mm Hg. The cardiac monitor shows sinaubsir bt.acocmh/ytecsat rdia with 10 premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) per minute. Pulmonary artery pressures are elevated. The nurse suctions the patient and obtains pink, frothy secretio ns. Loud crackles are audible throughout lung fields. The nurse notifies the physician, w ho orders an ABG analysis, electrolyte levels, and a portable chest x-ray study. How d oes the nurse interpret the following blood gas levels? pH 7.28 PaCO 46 mm Hg Bicarbonate 22 mEq/L PaO 58 mm Hg O saturation 88% 2
- A. Hypoxemia and compensated respiratory alkalosis
- B. Hypoxemia and uncompensated respiratory acidosis
- C. Normal arterial blood gas levels
- D. Normal oxygen level and partially compensated metabaobliribc.c aomci/dteosts is
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoxemia and uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
Step-by-step rationale:
1. pH is low (7.28), indicating acidosis.
2. PaCO2 is elevated (46 mm Hg), indicating respiratory acidosis.
3. PaO2 is low (58 mm Hg), indicating hypoxemia.
4. Bicarbonate is within normal range (22 mEq/L), suggesting no compensation for the acidosis.
5. Oxygen saturation is low (88%), supporting the presence of hypoxemia.
Summary:
A: Incorrect - pH is low, not indicating compensated alkalosis.
C: Incorrect - Various abnormalities in the blood gas levels are present.
D: Incorrect - There is hypoxemia and uncompensated acidosis, not metabolic alkalosis.
The patient’s serum creatinine level is 0.7 mg/dL. The expected BUN level should be
- A. 1 to 2 mg/dL.
- B. 7 to 14 mg/dL.
- C. 10 to 20 mg/dL.
- D. 20 to 30 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (10 to 20 mg/dL). The normal BUN-to-creatinine ratio is approximately 10:1. With a serum creatinine level of 0.7 mg/dL, the expected BUN level should be around 7 to 14 mg/dL. Therefore, choice C (10 to 20 mg/dL) falls within this expected range. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the typical BUN-to-creatinine ratio and would indicate abnormal kidney function.
Family members are in the patient’s room when the patient has a cardiac arrest and the staff starts resuscitation measures. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Keep the family in the room and assign a staff member to explain the care given and answer questions.
- B. Ask the family to wait outside the patient’s room with a designated staff member to provide emotional support.
- C. Ask the family members whether they would prefer to remain in the patient’s room or wait outside the room.
- D. Tell the family members that patients are comforted by having family members present during resuscitation efforts.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it involves patient-centered care and respects the family's preferences. By asking the family members whether they would prefer to remain in the patient's room or wait outside, the nurse acknowledges their needs and allows them to make an informed decision based on their comfort level. This empowers the family members and promotes a supportive environment during a stressful situation.
Choice A is incorrect because it assumes that keeping the family in the room without their input is the best approach, which may not be the case for all families. Choice B is incorrect because asking the family to wait outside without considering their preferences may not be the most supportive action. Choice D is incorrect because it makes a blanket statement about patient comfort without considering individual family dynamics and preferences.