Nokea
A patient has undergone surgery for oral cancer and has just been extubated in postanesthetic recovery. What nursing action best promotes comfort and facilitates spontaneous breathing for this patient?
- A. Placing the patient in a left lateral position
- B. Administering opioids as ordered
- C. Placing the patient in Fowlers position
- D. Teaching the patient to use the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After the endotracheal tube or airway has been removed and the effects of the anesthesia have worn off, the patient may be placed in Fowlers position to facilitate breathing and promote comfort. Lateral positioning does not facilitate oxygenation or comfort. Medications do not facilitate spontaneous breathing.
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A nurse in an oral surgery practice is working with a patient scheduled for removal of an abscessed tooth. When providing discharge education, the nurse should recommend which of the following actions?
- A. Rinse the mouth with alcohol before bedtime for the next 7 days.
- B. Use warm saline to rinse the mouth as needed.
- C. Brush around the area with a firm toothbrush to prevent infection.
- D. Use a toothpick to dislodge any debris that gets lodged in the socket.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient should be assessed for bleeding after the tooth is extracted. The mouth can be rinsed with warm saline to keep the area clean. A firm toothbrush or toothpick could injure the tissues around the extracted area. Alcohol would injure tissues that are healing.
An emergency department nurse is admitting a 3-year-old brought in after swallowing a piece from a wooden puzzle. The nurse should anticipate the administration of what medication in order to relax the esophagus to facilitate removal of the foreign body?
- A. Haloperidol
- B. Prostigmine
- C. Epinephrine
- D. Glucagon
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Glucagon is administered prior to removal of a foreign body because it relaxes the smooth muscle of the esophagus, facilitating insertion of the endoscope. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug and is not indicated. Prostigmine is prescribed for patients with myasthenia gravis. It increases muscular contraction, an effect opposite that which is desired to facilitate removal of the foreign body. Epinephrine is indicated in asthma attack and bronchospasm.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative from a neck dissection. What would be the most appropriate nursing action to enhance the patients appetite?
- A. Encourage the family to bring in the patients favored foods.
- B. Limit visitors at mealtimes so that the patient is not distracted.
- C. Avoid offering food unless the patient initiates.
- D. Provide thorough oral care immediately after the patient eats.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Family involvement and home-cooked favorite foods may help the patient to eat. Having visitors at mealtimes may make eating more pleasant and increase the patients appetite. The nurse should not place the complete onus for initiating meals on the patient. Oral care after meals is necessary, but does not influence appetite.
A community health nurse serves a diverse population. What individual would likely face the highest risk for parotitis?
- A. A patient who is receiving intravenous antibiotic therapy in the home setting
- B. A patient who has a chronic venous ulcer
- C. An older adult whose medication regimen includes an anticholinergic
- D. A patient with poorly controlled diabetes who receives weekly wound care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elderly, acutely ill, or debilitated people with decreased salivary flow from general dehydration or medications are at high risk for parotitis. Anticholinergic medications inhibit saliva production. Antibiotics, diabetes, and wounds are not risk factors for parotitis.
A nurse is caring for a patient in the late stages of esophageal cancer. The nurse should plan to prevent or address what characteristics of this stage of the disease?
- A. Perforation into the mediastinum
- B. Development of an esophageal lesion
- C. Erosion into the great vessels
- D. Painful swallowing
- E. Obstruction of the esophagus
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: In the later stages of esophageal cancer, obstruction of the esophagus is noted, with possible perforation into the mediastinum and erosion into the great vessels. Painful swallowing and the emergence of a lesion are early signs of esophageal cancer.