A patient with stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer expresses a preference for chemotherapy over surgery. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Are you concerned about the potential pain from surgery?
- B. Have you had negative experiences with previous surgeries?
- C. Surgery is the recommended treatment for stage I lung cancer.
- D. Tell me about your understanding of the different available treatments.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most appropriate response by the nurse in this situation is to gather more information about the patient's concerns and preferences. By asking the patient to share their understanding of the available treatments, the nurse encourages open communication and gains insight into the patient's knowledge and preferences. Option A focuses solely on pain, which may not be the patient's primary concern. Option B assumes negative experiences without exploring the patient's current thoughts. Option C, stating that surgery is the recommended treatment, dismisses the patient's preference and does not address their concerns. Chemotherapy is not the primary treatment for nonsmall cell lung cancer; it may be used for nonresectable tumors or as adjuvant therapy to surgery, making it crucial for the nurse to explore the patient's treatment preferences and understanding.
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The nurse provides discharge instructions to a patient who was hospitalized for pneumonia.
Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates a good understanding of the instructions?
- A. I will call the doctor if I still feel tired after a week.
- B. I will continue to do the deep breathing and coughing exercises at home.
- C. I will continue to do the deep breathing and coughing exercises at home.
- D. I'll cancel my chest x-ray appointment if Im feeling better in a couple weeks
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients should continue to cough and deep breathe after discharge. Fatigue is expected for
several weeks. The Pneumovax and influenza vaccines can be given at the same time in different
arms. Explain that a follow-up chest x-ray needs to be done in 6 to 8 weeks to evaluate resolution
of pneumonia.
When caring for a patient hospitalized with active tuberculosis (TB), the nurse observes a student nurse who is assigned to take care of the patient. Which action, if performed by the student nurse, would require an intervention by the nurse?
- A. The patient is offered a tissue from the box at the bedside.
- B. A surgical face mask is applied before visiting the patient.
- C. A snack is brought to the patient from the unit refrigerator.
- D. Hand washing is performed before entering the patient's room.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When caring for a patient with active tuberculosis (TB), it is crucial to use a high-efficiency particulate-absorbing (HEPA) mask instead of a standard surgical mask when entering the patient's room, as a HEPA mask can filter out 100% of small airborne particles, reducing the risk of transmission. Therefore, if the student nurse applies only a surgical face mask before visiting the patient, this action would require intervention by the nurse to ensure the appropriate protective equipment is used. Hand washing before entering the patient's room is essential to prevent the spread of infection and is a correct action. Bringing a snack to the patient from the unit refrigerator is appropriate and helps address potential issues with anorexia and weight loss in patients with TB. While hand washing after handling a tissue used by the patient is necessary, no special precautions are required when offering the patient an unused tissue.
A patient with a pleural effusion is scheduled for a thoracentesis. Which action should the nurse take to prepare the patient for the procedure?
- A. Start a peripheral IV line to administer any necessary sedative drugs.
- B. Position the patient sitting upright on the edge of the bed and leaning forward.
- C. Obtain a collection device to hold a reasonable amount of pleural fluid for extraction.
- D. Remove the water pitcher and remind the patient not to eat or drink anything for 6 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in preparing a patient for a thoracentesis is to position the patient sitting upright on the edge of the bed and leaning forward. This position helps fluid accumulate at the lung bases, making it easier to locate and remove. Sedation is not usually required for a thoracentesis, so starting an IV line for sedative drugs is unnecessary. Additionally, there are no restrictions on oral intake before the procedure since the patient is not sedated or unconscious. A large collection device to hold 2 to 3 liters of pleural fluid at one time is excessive as usually only 1000 to 1200 mL of pleural fluid is removed to avoid complications like hypotension, hypoxemia, or pulmonary edema. Therefore, the correct choice is to position the patient upright for the procedure.
A patient in metabolic alkalosis is admitted to the emergency department, and pulse oximetry indicates that the O2 saturation is 94%. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Administer bicarbonate.
- B. Complete a head-to-toe assessment.
- C. Place the patient on high-flow oxygen.
- D. Obtain repeat arterial blood gases (ABGs).
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a patient with metabolic alkalosis and an O2 saturation of 94%, placing the patient on high-flow oxygen is the correct action. Even though the O2 saturation seems adequate, metabolic alkalosis causes a left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues. Therefore, providing high-flow oxygen can help compensate for this. Administering bicarbonate would exacerbate the alkalosis. While completing a head-to-toe assessment and obtaining repeat ABGs are important interventions, the priority in this scenario is to improve oxygen delivery by placing the patient on high-flow oxygen.
A patient who has a right-sided chest tube following a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber of the collection device. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Document the presence of continuous bubbling.
- B. Notify the surgeon of a possible pneumothorax.
- C. Take no further action with the collection device.
- D. Adjust the dial on the wall regulator to decrease suction.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber of the chest tube collection device is an expected finding and indicates that the suction control chamber is connected to suction. It does not necessarily indicate a large air leak, which would be detected in the water-seal chamber. There is no evidence to suggest a pneumothorax based solely on continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber. Adjusting the suction level by changing the wall regulator setting is not indicated in this situation, as the amount of suction applied is primarily regulated by the water level in the water-seal chamber and not by the vacuum source. Therefore, the most appropriate action in this scenario is for the nurse to take no further action with the collection device.