A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan to prevent pulmonary complications?
- A. Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer
- B. Administer oxygen therapy
- C. Provide early ambulation
- D. Monitor for chest pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the use of an incentive spirometer. This intervention helps prevent pulmonary complications postoperatively by promoting deep breathing, improving lung expansion, and preventing atelectasis. Incentive spirometry helps the client maintain lung function and prevent respiratory complications such as pneumonia. Administering oxygen therapy (B) is important but not as effective in preventing complications as using an incentive spirometer. Early ambulation (C) is beneficial for circulation but does not directly prevent pulmonary complications. Monitoring for chest pain (D) is essential for assessing cardiac issues but does not specifically address pulmonary complications.
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The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a chest tube connected to suction and a water-seal drainage system. Which of the following indicates to the nurse that the chest tube is functioning properly?
- A. Fluctuation of the fluid level within the water seal chamber
- B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
- C. Absence of bubbling in the water seal chamber
- D. No drainage in the collection chamber
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluctuation (tidaling) in the water-seal chamber during inspiration and expiration indicates the chest tube is functioning properly.
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is performing an admission assessment of a client who has COPD with emphysema. The client reports that he has a frequent productive cough and is short of breath. The nurse should anticipate which of the following assessment findings for this client?
- A. Fine crackles in the lungs
- B. Increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest
- C. Increased tactile fremitus
- D. Fever and chills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest. In COPD with emphysema, there is air trapping leading to hyperinflation of the lungs, causing the chest to expand more in the front-to-back direction (increased anteroposterior diameter). This is known as barrel chest.
A: Fine crackles are not typically associated with COPD/emphysema, they are more common in conditions like heart failure or pneumonia.
C: Increased tactile fremitus is not typically seen in COPD/emphysema, it may be present in conditions like pneumonia.
D: Fever and chills are not typical findings in COPD/emphysema unless there is an infection present.
A nurse is monitoring a client who was admitted with a severe burn injury and is receiving IV fluid resuscitation therapy. The nurse should identify a decrease in which of the following findings as an indication of adequate fluid replacement?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Heart rate
- C. Urine output
- D. Respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Heart rate. A decrease in heart rate indicates adequate fluid replacement in a burn-injured patient due to improved cardiac output and perfusion. When fluid resuscitation is effective, the heart doesn't need to work as hard to maintain circulation. Blood pressure (choice A) may fluctuate initially but is not a reliable indicator of fluid replacement alone. Urine output (choice C) is important but may take time to stabilize. Respiratory rate (choice D) may be affected by pain or stress, not solely fluid status. Other choices are not relevant.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a postoperative ileus and an NG tube that has drained 2,500 mL in the past 6 hr. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor the client for?
- A. Decreased potassium level
- B. Increased sodium level
- C. Increased calcium level
- D. Decreased magnesium level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased potassium level. Postoperative ileus can lead to gastrointestinal fluid losses, causing a decrease in potassium levels due to excessive drainage through the NG tube. Potassium is an important electrolyte for maintaining normal muscle function, including the heart. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent complications such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Incorrect choices:
B: Increased sodium level - Unlikely in this scenario as excessive drainage would lead to fluid and electrolyte loss.
C: Increased calcium level - Unrelated to postoperative ileus and NG tube drainage.
D: Decreased magnesium level - Possible but not as critical as monitoring potassium levels in this situation.
A nurse is planning an educational program about basal cell carcinoma. Which of the following information should the nurse plan to include?
- A. Basal cell carcinoma has a low incidence of metastasis.
- B. Basal cell carcinoma often spreads to lymph nodes.
- C. Basal cell carcinoma is most common in young adults.
- D. Basal cell carcinoma is curable with chemotherapy.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Basal cell carcinoma has a low incidence of metastasis. This should be included in the educational program because basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes. Metastasis is the spread of cancer from the original site to other parts of the body, and in the case of basal cell carcinoma, it tends to remain localized. This information is crucial for patients to understand the prognosis and treatment options.
Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
B: Basal cell carcinoma often spreads to lymph nodes - This statement is incorrect as basal cell carcinoma typically does not spread to lymph nodes.
C: Basal cell carcinoma is most common in young adults - Basal cell carcinoma is more common in older individuals, typically over the age of 50.
D: Basal cell carcinoma is curable with chemotherapy - While chemotherapy may be a treatment option for some cases of basal cell carcinoma, it is not the primary treatment and not always curative.
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