A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Administering diuretics.
- B. Providing supplemental oxygen.
- C. Increasing fluid intake.
- D. Encouraging bed rest.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Providing supplemental oxygen. In COPD, patients often have difficulty breathing due to impaired lung function. Supplemental oxygen helps improve oxygenation and relieves respiratory distress. Prioritizing this intervention is crucial for managing COPD exacerbations and preventing complications. Administering diuretics (A) may be indicated for comorbid conditions like heart failure but is not a priority in managing COPD. Increasing fluid intake (C) may not directly address the patient's respiratory distress. Encouraging bed rest (D) may lead to deconditioning and worsen respiratory function in COPD patients.
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Which technique should be used to assess a murmur in a patient's heart?
- A. The bell of the stethoscope
- B. The diaphragm of the stethoscope
- C. Palpation with the palm of the hand
- D. Ask another nurse to double-check the finding.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The diaphragm of the stethoscope. The diaphragm is used to assess heart murmurs as it allows for higher-frequency sounds to be heard more clearly. When assessing heart murmurs, using the diaphragm helps to differentiate between systolic and diastolic murmurs, as well as to identify specific characteristics such as intensity and location.
A: The bell of the stethoscope is used for low-frequency sounds and would not be ideal for assessing heart murmurs.
C: Palpation with the palm of the hand is used to assess pulses and vibrations, not heart murmurs.
D: Asking another nurse to double-check the finding is important for validation but does not directly relate to the technique used to assess a heart murmur.
A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic kidney disease. The nurse should prioritize which of the following lab values?
- A. Serum creatinine levels.
- B. Hemoglobin levels.
- C. White blood cell count.
- D. Platelet count.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Serum creatinine levels. In patients with chronic kidney disease, monitoring serum creatinine levels is crucial because it reflects kidney function. An increase in creatinine levels indicates worsening kidney function. Hemoglobin levels (B) are important in assessing anemia, common in CKD, but not the priority. White blood cell count (C) and platelet count (D) may indicate infection or bleeding, respectively, but are not specific to kidney function in this context.
While auscultating for heart sounds, the nurse hears an unfamiliar sound. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Document the findings on the patient's record.
- B. Wait 10 minutes, and auscultate the heart again.
- C. Ask another nurse to double-check the finding.
- D. Ask the patient to take deep breaths and check for changes in their physical condition.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because documenting the findings is essential for accurate patient care and communication among healthcare professionals. By documenting the unfamiliar sound heard during auscultation, the nurse ensures that the information is recorded for future reference and potential follow-up assessments or interventions. Waiting 10 minutes (B) may not address the immediate need for documentation. Asking another nurse to double-check (C) may be helpful but does not address the importance of documenting the finding. Asking the patient to take deep breaths (D) is not the appropriate next step when an unfamiliar heart sound is detected; documentation is crucial before further assessment or intervention.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following a hip replacement. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications?
- A. Pneumonia.
- B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- C. Wound infection.
- D. Hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Post-operative hip replacement patients are at high risk for DVT due to immobility and surgical trauma. The nurse should monitor for signs such as swelling, redness, and pain in the affected leg. DVT can lead to serious complications like pulmonary embolism if not detected early. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while pneumonia, wound infection, and hypoglycemia are also potential post-operative complications, they are not as directly associated with hip replacement surgery as DVT.
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic liver disease. The nurse should monitor for signs of which of the following complications?
- A. Jaundice.
- B. Hypoglycemia.
- C. Hyperglycemia.
- D. Anemia.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Jaundice. In chronic liver disease, impaired liver function can result in the accumulation of bilirubin leading to jaundice. Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. Monitoring for jaundice is crucial in assessing the progression of liver disease.
B: Hypoglycemia is not a common complication of chronic liver disease. Liver plays a role in glycogen storage and glucose production, so hypoglycemia is less likely.
C: Hyperglycemia is more commonly associated with conditions like diabetes rather than chronic liver disease. The liver's role in glucose regulation may be impaired, but hyperglycemia is not a typical complication.
D: Anemia is not directly related to liver disease, although it may occur as a secondary complication due to factors like decreased production of certain blood components. Monitoring for anemia is important, but jaundice is a more specific complication of chronic liver disease.
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