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A nurse walks into a patients room and begins preparing a syringe to perform a blood draw on the patient. The nurse observes that the patient is firmly gripping the side of the bed, averting her eyes, and sweating from her forehead when she sees the needle. What would be the best intervention for the nurse to make?
- A. Proceed with blood draw as quickly as possible, to get it over with.
- B. Offer to come back later to perform the blood draw.
- C. Encourage the patient to deep breathe.
- D. Describe briefly the blood draw procedure and explain why it is necessary.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it shows empathy and promotes patient education. By describing the procedure and its necessity, the nurse can alleviate the patient's anxiety and build trust. This approach allows the patient to feel informed and in control, reducing fear and increasing cooperation. It also demonstrates respect for the patient's feelings and promotes a therapeutic relationship.
Choice A is incorrect as it disregards the patient's fear and can lead to increased distress. Choice B might be an option, but it doesn't address the patient's anxiety in the moment. Choice C, while helpful in some cases, doesn't directly address the patient's specific fear of the blood draw procedure.
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Todays critical care nursing environment is constantly changing. What nursing behavior best illustrates awareness of current events affecting critical care nursing?
- A. Participating in the hospitals efforts to recruit new nurses
- B. Volunteering to serve on a disaster response planning committee
- C. Adhering to content taught in basic nursing program
- D. Attending hospital-mandated in-services without other education Answer Key
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because volunteering to serve on a disaster response planning committee demonstrates awareness of current events affecting critical care nursing. By actively participating in planning for potential disasters, the nurse shows a proactive approach to staying informed and prepared for emergencies. This behavior indicates a commitment to staying up-to-date with the evolving landscape of critical care nursing.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because:
A: Participating in recruitment efforts may be important but does not directly demonstrate awareness of current events affecting critical care nursing.
C: Adhering to basic nursing program content is necessary but does not show active engagement with current events in critical care nursing.
D: Attending hospital-mandated in-services is valuable, but without seeking additional education or involvement in current events, it does not illustrate awareness of the changing critical care nursing environment.
The nurse is caring for a patient whose ventilator settings i nclude 15 cm H O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). The nurse understands that although beneficial, PEEP may result in what possible problem?
- A. Fluid overload secondary to decreased venous return.
- B. High cardiac index secondary to more efficient ventric ular function.
- C. Hypoxemia secondary to prolonged positive pressure a t expiration.
- D. Low cardiac output secondary to increased intrathoracic pressure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (D - Low cardiac output secondary to increased intrathoracic pressure):
1. PEEP increases intrathoracic pressure, which can impede venous return to the heart.
2. Impaired venous return reduces preload, leading to decreased cardiac output.
3. Decreased cardiac output can result in inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation.
4. Therefore, PEEP may cause low cardiac output due to increased intrathoracic pressure.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A. Fluid overload is not directly related to PEEP but more to fluid administration or kidney function.
B. High cardiac index is unlikely as PEEP can decrease cardiac output.
C. Hypoxemia is not a direct result of PEEP but may occur due to other factors like inadequate ventilation or oxygenation settings.
The nurse is discussing the role of hospice care with a patient and family. Which statement by the nurse accurately describes hospice care?
- A. Hospice care aims to cure serious illnesses through specialized treatments.
- B. Hospice care provides support and comfort for patients at the end of life.
- C. Hospice care is only for patients with cancer-related illnesses.
- D. Hospice care focuses primarily on extending life expectancy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because hospice care indeed focuses on providing support and comfort for patients at the end of life. This is achieved through pain management, emotional support, and enhancing quality of life. Choice A is incorrect because hospice care does not aim to cure serious illnesses but rather to provide comfort and care. Choice C is incorrect as hospice care is not limited to patients with cancer but is available to individuals with various terminal illnesses. Choice D is incorrect as hospice care does not focus on extending life expectancy but rather on improving the quality of life during the end-of-life period.
The critical care nurse knows that in critically ill patients, renal dysfunction
- A. is a very rare problem.
- B. affects nearly two thirds of patients.
- C. has a low mortality rate once renal replacement therapy has been initiated.
- D. has little effect on morbidity, mortality, or quality of life.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Renal dysfunction is common in critically ill patients due to various factors like sepsis, hypotension, and nephrotoxic medications. This affects nearly two thirds of patients, making it a significant issue in critical care. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. A is wrong because renal dysfunction is not rare in critically ill patients. C is incorrect as renal replacement therapy does not guarantee low mortality rates. D is inaccurate as renal dysfunction can have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in critically ill patients.
Which assessment would cue the nurse to the potential of aa bc iru bt .ce o mre /ts ep sti ratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a patient admitted with respiratory distress?
- A. Increased oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry
- B. Increased peak inspiratory pressure on the ventilator
- C. Normal chest radiograph with enlarged cardiac structures
- D. PaO /FiO ratio > 300 2 2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Increased peak inspiratory pressure on the ventilator would cue the nurse to the potential of ARDS in a patient with respiratory distress. ARDS is characterized by severe respiratory failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. An increase in peak inspiratory pressure on the ventilator indicates that the lungs are becoming stiffer, which is a common finding in ARDS due to increased inflammation and fluid accumulation in the alveoli. This finding alerts the nurse to the possibility of ARDS and the need for further assessment and intervention.
Summary of other choices:
A: Increased oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry is a nonspecific finding and may not specifically indicate ARDS.
C: Normal chest radiograph with enlarged cardiac structures is more indicative of heart failure rather than ARDS.
D: PaO2/FiO2 ratio > 300 is a criterion used to diagnose ARDS, but a value higher than 300 actually indicates mild ARDS, so it would not necessarily cue the nurse