A patient in the ICU is recovering from open-heart surgery. The nurse enters his room and observes that his daughter is performing effleurage on his arms and talking in a low voice about an upcoming family vacation that is planned. The room is dimly lit, and she hears the constant beeping of his heart monitor. From the hall she hears the cries of a patient in pain. Which of the following are likely stressors for the patient? Select all that apply.
- A. His daughters conversation
- B. His daughters effleurage
- C. The beeping of the heart monitor
- D. The dim lighting of the room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The beeping of the heart monitor is a likely stressor for the patient recovering from open-heart surgery in the ICU. The constant beeping can cause anxiety and uncertainty about their health status. The daughter's conversation and effleurage are likely comforting and supportive for the patient, reducing stress. The dim lighting may create a calming environment, and the distant cries of a patient in pain may evoke empathy but may not directly stress the recovering patient. Therefore, the beeping of the heart monitor stands out as a stressor among the choices provided.
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A new nurse has recently joined the ICU from a different hospital, which had a much stricter policy regarding visiting hours. She expresses concern about the impact of open visiting hours on patient well-being. Which of the following would be the best explanation for the purpose of open visiting hours? Select all that apply.
- A. To better provide rest and quiet
- B. To strengthen the relationship between the family and health care provider
- C. To control the number of visitors for a patient
- D. To provide an undisturbed environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To strengthen the relationship between the family and health care provider.
Rationale:
1. Open visiting hours encourage family involvement in care, fostering a partnership between healthcare providers and families.
2. Family support can positively impact patient outcomes and satisfaction.
3. It allows families to be updated on the patient's condition and involved in decision-making.
4. Strengthening the relationship can lead to better communication and trust between all parties.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Open visiting hours may disrupt rest and quiet, but the primary purpose is not to provide rest.
C: Open visiting hours do not aim to control the number of visitors but rather encourage family involvement.
D: While open visiting hours may not provide an entirely undisturbed environment, the focus is on improving family-provider relationships.
A patient with end-stage heart failure is experiencing consaibdirebr.caobmle/te dsty spnea. What is the appropriate pharmacological management of this symptom ?
- A. Administration of 6 mg of midazolam and initiation of a continuous midazolam infusion.
- B. Administration of morphine, 5 mg IV bolus, and initia tion of a continuous morphine infusion.
- C. Hourly increases of the midazolam (Versed) infusion b y 100% dose increments.
- D. Hourly increases of the morphine infusion by 100% dose increments.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administration of morphine, 5 mg IV bolus, and initiation of a continuous morphine infusion. Morphine is the preferred pharmacological management for severe dyspnea in end-stage heart failure due to its potent analgesic and anxiolytic properties.
Step-by-step rationale:
1. Morphine is a potent opioid that helps relieve dyspnea by reducing anxiety, decreasing respiratory drive, and improving overall comfort.
2. The initial IV bolus of 5 mg provides rapid relief of dyspnea.
3. Initiating a continuous morphine infusion ensures sustained relief of dyspnea.
4. Midazolam (choice A) is a benzodiazepine used for sedation and anxiety, but it is not the first-line treatment for dyspnea in this scenario.
5. Increasing the midazolam (choice C) or morphine (choice D) infusions by 100% dose increments hourly is not appropriate as
What is a strategy for preventing thromboembolism in pat ients at risk who cannot take anticoagulants?
- A. Administration of two aspirin tablets every 4 hours.
- B. Infusion of thrombolytics.
- C. Insertion of a vena cava filter.
- D. Subcutaneous heparin administration every 12 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Insertion of a vena cava filter. This is a strategy for preventing thromboembolism in patients at risk who cannot take anticoagulants. The vena cava filter prevents blood clots from traveling to the lungs by trapping them in the inferior vena cava. It is a mechanical device that does not interfere with the body's clotting process.
Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Administration of two aspirin tablets every 4 hours is not an effective strategy for preventing thromboembolism in high-risk patients. Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent and may not be sufficient for preventing blood clots in these patients.
B: Infusion of thrombolytics is used for breaking down blood clots that have already formed, not for prevention. It is not a suitable option for preventing thromboembolism in at-risk patients.
D: Subcutaneous heparin administration every 12
A 28-year-old patient who has deep human bite wounds on the left hand is being treated in the urgent care center. Which action will the nurse plan to take?
- A. Prepare to administer rabies immune globulin (BayRab).
- B. Assist the health care provider with suturing the bite wounds.
- C. Teach the patient the reason for the use of prophylactic antibiotics.
- D. Keep the wounds dry until the health care provider can assess them.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Teach the patient the reason for the use of prophylactic antibiotics. This is the most important action because human bites can introduce harmful bacteria into the wound, leading to infection. Prophylactic antibiotics help prevent infection in deep human bite wounds.
Choice A is incorrect because rabies immune globulin is not indicated for human bite wounds. Choice B is incorrect because suturing human bite wounds can trap bacteria and increase the risk of infection. Choice D is incorrect because keeping the wounds dry is not sufficient; proper wound cleaning and antibiotic treatment are essential in this case.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) following a massive heart attack. When assessing the patient, the nurse notices blood backing up into the IABP catheter. In which order should the nurse take the following actions?
- A. Ensure that the IABP console has been turned off.
- B. Assess the patient's vital signs and orientation.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider of the IABP malfunction.
- D. Obtain supplies for insertion of a new IABP catheter.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Ensuring the IABP console is turned off is crucial to prevent further complications and stop potential harm to the patient.
2. By turning off the IABP console, the nurse can halt the pumping action, allowing assessment of the situation without interference.
3. This action takes priority over other steps as it addresses the immediate issue of blood backing up into the IABP catheter.
4. Once the console is turned off, the nurse can proceed with assessing the patient's vital signs, notifying the healthcare provider, and obtaining supplies if needed.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
- Option B: Assessing vital signs and orientation is important, but addressing the malfunction of the IABP takes precedence to prevent harm.
- Option C: Notifying the healthcare provider is necessary, but first, the immediate issue of blood backing up into the catheter must be addressed.
- Option D: Obtaining supplies for a new catheter is premature without first addressing