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A patient in hospice care is experiencing dyspnea. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Position the patient flat on their back.
- B. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
- C. Restrict fluid intake to reduce congestion.
- D. Perform chest physiotherapy to improve breathing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen as prescribed. Dyspnea in a hospice patient often indicates respiratory distress, and administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and alleviate breathing difficulty. Positioning the patient flat on their back (A) may worsen dyspnea due to increased pressure on the diaphragm. Restricting fluid intake (C) is not appropriate as dehydration can exacerbate respiratory distress. Chest physiotherapy (D) may not be suitable for a hospice patient experiencing dyspnea as it can be physically taxing and may not address the underlying cause effectively.
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What are the diagnostic criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray study
- B. Decreased cardiac output
- C. PaO /FiO ratio of less than 200 2 2
- D. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of more than 18 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray study. ARDS diagnosis requires bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray, indicative of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Choice B, decreased cardiac output, is not a diagnostic criterion for ARDS. Choice C, PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200, is a key diagnostic criteria for ARDS, indicating severe hypoxemia. Choice D, PAOP of more than 18 mm Hg, is used to differentiate between cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic causes of pulmonary edema, but it is not a direct diagnostic criterion for ARDS.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has an intra-aortic balloon pump in place. Which action should be included in the plan of care?
- A. Position the patient supine at all times.
- B. Avoid the use of anticoagulant medications.
- C. Measure the patient’s urinary output every hour.
- D. Provide a massive range of motion for all extremities.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Measure the patient’s urinary output every hour. This is crucial because monitoring urinary output is essential in assessing the patient’s renal function and the effectiveness of the intra-aortic balloon pump in improving cardiac output. Hourly measurement helps in early detection of any changes that may indicate complications.
A: Positioning the patient supine at all times is not necessary and can lead to complications.
B: Avoiding the use of anticoagulant medications is not appropriate as they are often necessary to prevent clot formation around the balloon pump.
D: Providing a massive range of motion for all extremities is not recommended for a patient with an intra-aortic balloon pump as it can dislodge the device or cause harm.
The nurse is caring for a critically ill patient who can speak. The nurse notices that the patient is demonstrating behaviors indicative of anxiety but is silent. What nursing strategy would give the nurse the most information about the patients feelings?
- A. Explain procedures to the patient and family.
- B. Ask the patient to share his or her internal dialogue.
- C. Encourage the patient to nap before visiting hours.
- D. Ensure that the patient has adequate pain control.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking the patient to share his or her internal dialogue can provide direct insight into the patient's thoughts and feelings, allowing the nurse to address specific anxieties. This approach promotes open communication and understanding. Choice A focuses on providing information but may not directly address the patient's feelings. Choice C is unrelated to addressing the patient's anxiety. Choice D addresses pain control, which is important but not directly related to exploring the patient's emotions. Therefore, option B is the most effective strategy for gaining insight into the patient's feelings in this scenario.
The nurse is preparing to obtain a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) reading for a patient who is mechanically ventilated. Ensuring that the aaibri-rbf.lcuoimd/ teinstt erface is at the level of the phlebostatic axis, what is the best nursing action?
- A. Place the patient in the supine position and record the PAOP immediately after exhalation.
- B. Place the patient in the supine position and document the average PAOP obtained after three measurements.
- C. Place the patient with the head of bed elevated 30 degrees and document the average PAOP pressure obtained.
- D. Place the patient with the head of bed elevated 30 degr ees and record the PAOP just before the increase in pressures during inhalation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because placing the patient with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees is the best position for obtaining an accurate PAOP reading. Elevating the head of the bed helps to align the phlebostatic axis with the atrium, ensuring an accurate measurement of PAOP. This position reduces the impact of hydrostatic pressure on the reading. Options A and D are incorrect because the supine position and recording during exhalation or just before the increase in pressures during inhalation can lead to inaccurate readings. Option B is incorrect because documenting the average PAOP after three measurements does not address the importance of positioning for accuracy.
The charge nurse has a Vigileo pulse contour cardiac output monitoring system available for use in the surgical intensive care unit. For which patient isa buisrbe.c oomf /ttehsits device most appropriate?
- A. A patient with a history of aortic insufficiency admitte d with a postoperative myocardial infarction
- B. A mechanically ventilated patient with cardiogenic sho ck being treated with an intraaortic balloon pump
- C. A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation having frequent episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
- D. A mechanically ventilated patient admitted following repair of an acute bowel obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a mechanically ventilated patient with cardiogenic shock being treated with an intra-aortic balloon pump would benefit most from having a Vigileo pulse contour cardiac output monitoring system. This device provides continuous cardiac output monitoring and can help guide hemodynamic management in critically ill patients, especially those with hemodynamic instability like cardiogenic shock. It allows for real-time adjustments of fluid and vasoactive medications to optimize cardiac output and tissue perfusion.
Choice A is incorrect because a patient with a history of aortic insufficiency and postoperative myocardial infarction may not require continuous cardiac output monitoring like the patient in choice B. Choice C is incorrect as the patient with atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia does not necessarily need cardiac output monitoring. Choice D is also incorrect as a mechanically ventilated patient following repair of an acute bowel obstruction may not require continuous cardiac output monitoring unless there are specific complications.