An older adult man recently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with shortness of breath. The nurse observes the client sitting upright and leaning over the bedside table, using accessory muscles to assist in breathing. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Assist the client to a high Fowler's position in bed
- B. Observe the client for the presence of a barrel chest
- C. Prepare to transfer the client to a critical care unit
- D. Instruct the client in pursed lip breathing techniques
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pursed lip breathing helps reduce dyspnea and improves oxygenation in clients with COPD.
You may also like to solve these questions
The patient experiences a headache and is unable to move the left side of his body. The most likely cause is
- A. embolic stroke
- B. cerebral thrombosis
- C. cerebral abscess
- D. moyamoya disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Embolic stroke is a common complication of cyanotic congenital heart disease.
Which action by the school nurse is important in the prevention of rheumatic fever?
- A. Encourage routine cholesterol screenings.
- B. Conduct routine blood pressure screenings.
- C. Refer children with sore throats for throat cultures.
- D. Recommend salicylates instead of acetaminophen for minor discomforts.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses have a role in prevention—primarily in screening school-age children for sore throats caused by group A β-hemolytic streptococci. They can achieve this by actively participating in throat culture screening or by referring children with possible streptococcal sore throats for testing. Cholesterol and blood pressure screenings do not facilitate the recognition and treatment of group A β-hemolytic streptococci. Salicylates should be avoided routinely because of the risk of Reye syndrome after viral illnesses.
In Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome:
- A. The abnormal pathway is between the atrial and ventricular myocardium
- B. Wide QRS complexes occur more frequently than narrow QRS
- C. Narrow QRS complexes are regular
- D. Verapamil is the treatment of choice for atrial fibrillation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a wide QRS complex is often seen due to the presence of an accessory pathway that bypasses the normal conduction system.
A client with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has localized pain and inflammation of the fingers and feet; swelling, redness, and restricted joint motion; and reports feeling fatigued. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority for this client?
- A. Pain related to joint inflammation
- B. Impaired physical mobility.
- C. Risk for infection.
- D. Disturbed sleep pattern.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pain is the most immediate and distressing symptom for the client and should be addressed first to improve comfort and quality of life.
Common causes of seizures in a neonate are:
- A. Hypocalcaemia
- B. Hypoglycaemia
- C. Pyridoxine deficiency
- D. Hydrocephalus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because hypoglycaemia is a common cause of neonatal seizures. The other options (a, c, d, e) are also causes but less common.