A pediatric nurse practitioner is caring for a child who has just been diagnosed with asthma. The nurse has provided the parents with information that includes potential causative agents for an asthmatic reaction. What potential causative agent should the nurse describe?
- A. Pets
- B. Lack of sleep
- C. Psychosocial stress
- D. Bacteria
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Common causative agents that may trigger an asthma attack are as follows: dust, dust mites, pets, soap, certain foods, molds, and pollens. Lack of sleep, stress, and bacteria are not common triggers for asthma attacks.
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A patients severe asthma has necessitated the use of a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). Which of the patients statements suggests a need for further education?
- A. I know that these drugs can sometimes make my heart beat faster.
- B. Ive heard that this drug is particularly good at preventing asthma attacks during exercise.
- C. Ill make sure to use this each time I feel an asthma attack coming on.
- D. Ive heard that this drug sometimes gets less effective over time.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LABAs are not used for management of acute asthma symptoms. Tachycardia is a potential adverse effect and decreased protection against exercise-induced bronchospasm may occur with regular use.
A patient is having pulmonary-function studies performed. The patient performs a spirometry test, revealing an FEV1/FVC ratio of 60%. How should the nurse interpret this assessment finding?
- A. Strong exercise tolerance
- B. Exhalation volume is normal
- C. Respiratory infection
- D. Obstructive lung disease
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Spirometry is used to evaluate airflow obstruction, which is determined by the ratio of forced expiration volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity. Obstructive lung disease is apparent when an FEV1/FVC ratio is less than 70%.
An admitting nurse is assessing a patient with COPD. The nurse auscultates diminished breath sounds, which signify changes in the airway. These changes indicate to the nurse to monitor the patient for what?
- A. Kyphosis and clubbing of the fingers
- B. Dyspnea and hypoxemia
- C. Sepsis and pneumothorax
- D. Bradypnea and pursed lip breathing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These changes in the airway require that the nurse monitor the patient for dyspnea and hypoxemia. Kyphosis is a musculoskeletal problem. Sepsis and pneumothorax are atypical complications. Tachypnea is much more likely than bradypnea. Pursed lip breathing can relieve dyspnea.
A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) in anticipation of a new admission. The nurse should identify what characteristic aspects of CF?
- A. Alveolar mucus plugging, infection, and eventual bronchiectasis
- B. Bronchial mucus plugging, inflammation, and eventual bronchiectasis
- C. Atelectasis, infection, and eventual COPD
- D. Bronchial mucus plugging, infection, and eventual COPD
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The hallmark pathology of CF is bronchial mucus plugging, inflammation, and eventual bronchiectasis. Commonly, the bronchiectasis begins in the upper lobes and progresses to involve all lobes. Infection, atelectasis, and COPD are not hallmark pathologies of CF.
An older adult patient has been diagnosed with COPD. What characteristic of the patients current health status would preclude the safe and effective use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)?
- A. The patient has not yet quit smoking.
- B. The patient has severe arthritis in her hands.
- C. The patient requires both corticosteroids and beta-agonists.
- D. The patient has cataracts.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Safe and effective MDI use requires the patient to be able to manipulate the device independently, which may be difficult if the patient has arthritis. Smoking does not preclude MDI use. A modest loss of vision does not preclude the use of an MDI and a patient can safely use more than one MDI.
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