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As the nurse admits a patient with end-stage kidney disease to the hospital, the patient tells the nurse, 'If my heart or breathing stops, I do not want to be resuscitated.' Which action is best for the nurse to take?
- A. Ask if these wishes have been discussed with the healthcare provider.
- B. Place a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) notation in the patient’s care plan.
- C. Inform the patient that a notarized advance directive must be included in the record.
- D. Advise the patient to designate a person to make health care decisions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Asking if these wishes have been discussed with the healthcare provider is important to ensure that the patient's wishes are documented and considered in the care plan.
Step 2: The healthcare provider needs to be aware of the patient's preferences regarding resuscitation to provide appropriate care.
Step 3: This step helps in clarifying the patient's preferences and ensures that the healthcare team follows the patient's wishes.
Step 4: Placing a DNR notation without consulting the healthcare provider may not align with the patient's overall care plan and may lead to potential legal and ethical issues.
Step 5: Informing the patient about notarized advance directives and designating a person for healthcare decisions are important but not the immediate step needed in this scenario.
In summary, choice A is correct as it prioritizes communication with the healthcare provider to ensure the patient's wishes are properly documented and followed. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not involve confirming the patient's wishes
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Which is the most important outcome for a patient receiving palliative care?
- A. Complete resolution of the underlying disease.
- B. Improvement in symptoms and quality of life.
- C. Increased adherence to curative treatments.
- D. Achievement of long-term survival goals.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Improvement in symptoms and quality of life. In palliative care, the primary focus is on enhancing the patient's quality of life by managing symptoms and providing comfort. This is achieved through effective symptom control, psychosocial support, and improving overall well-being. Complete resolution of the underlying disease (A) is often not possible in palliative care as the focus shifts from curative treatments to comfort care. Increased adherence to curative treatments (C) may not be the main goal in palliative care, as the emphasis is on improving the patient's comfort rather than prolonging life. Achievement of long-term survival goals (D) is not typically the primary outcome in palliative care, as the focus is on providing support and care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The nurse observes that an elderly woman, whose granddaughter has been admitted to theICU, is struggling to manage her two great-grandsons, who are toddlers, in the waiting room. What is the most likely explanation for the womans inability to manage the children in this situation?
- A. She is senile.
- B. She is in the exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome to stress.
- C. She is assuming the role of caregiver in place of the patient, a role she is not used to.
- D. She has macular degeneration and cannot see well.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: She is in the exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome to stress.
Rationale:
1. In the exhaustion stage, the body's resources are depleted due to prolonged stress, leading to fatigue and reduced ability to cope.
2. The elderly woman is likely experiencing high levels of stress due to her granddaughter's critical condition.
3. Managing toddlers while dealing with the emotional distress of a loved one in the ICU can be overwhelming, causing exhaustion.
4. This explanation aligns with the symptoms of fatigue and difficulty managing the children observed by the nurse.
Summary:
A: Incorrect. Senility is a cognitive condition unrelated to the stress of the situation.
C: Incorrect. Assuming a caregiver role can be stressful, but it does not explain the observed exhaustion.
D: Incorrect. Macular degeneration affects vision, not the ability to manage stress and children.
The critical care nurse is responsible for monitoring the patient receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In doing so, the nurse should
- A. assess that the blood tubing is warm to the touch.
- B. assess the hemofilter every 6 hours for clotting.
- C. cover the dialysis lines to protect them from light.
- D. use clean technique during vascular access dressing changes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing the hemofilter every 6 hours for clotting is essential in ensuring the effectiveness of CRRT. Clotting can obstruct blood flow, leading to treatment inefficiency and potential harm to the patient. This step helps the nurse to promptly address any clotting issues and prevent complications.
A: Assessing that the blood tubing is warm to the touch is not a standard practice for monitoring CRRT and does not provide relevant information about the treatment's effectiveness.
C: Covering the dialysis lines to protect them from light is not a priority in monitoring CRRT. Light exposure is not a common concern in this context.
D: Using clean technique during vascular access dressing changes is important for infection prevention but is not directly related to monitoring the effectiveness of CRRT.
A nurse in a burn unit observes that a patient is tensed up and frowning but silent. The nurse asks the patient, Can you tell me what you are thinking now? The patient responds, I cant take this pain any more! I feel like Im about to die. What would be the best response for the nurse to give to the patient, considering that the patient is already receiving the maximum amount pain medication that is safe?
- A. Try to get rid of those negative thoughtsthey only make it worse.
- B. Try thinking instead, This pain will go away; I can overcome it.
- C. Your pain medication is already at the highest possible dose.
- D. Would you like me to raise the head of your bed?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is C: Your pain medication is already at the highest possible dose. This response acknowledges the patient's pain and reassures them that they are already receiving the maximum safe amount of pain medication. By stating this, the nurse is validating the patient's experience and showing empathy. It is important for the nurse to communicate clearly about the medication to manage the patient's expectations.
Choice A is incorrect as it dismisses the patient's pain and can come across as insensitive. Choice B may be well-intentioned but does not address the immediate concern of the patient's pain. Choice D is irrelevant to the patient's statement about pain and does not offer any immediate support or reassurance regarding the pain management.
After the change-of-shift report, which patient should the progressive care nurse assess first?
- A. Patient who was extubated in the morning and has a temperature of 101.4°F (38.6°C).
- B. Patient with bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) for sleep apnea whose respiratory rate is 16.
- C. Patient with arterial pressure monitoring who is 2 hours post percutaneous coronary intervention and needs to void.
- D. Patient who is receiving IV heparin for venous thromboembolism and has a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of 98 seconds.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The patient receiving IV heparin with a PTT of 98 seconds is at risk for bleeding due to the therapeutic range of 60-80 seconds. Assessing this patient first is crucial to prevent potential bleeding complications. A high PTT indicates the blood is not clotting properly, increasing the risk of bleeding. Prompt assessment and possible adjustment of heparin infusion are needed.
A: The patient with a temperature of 101.4°F may have a fever but is not at immediate risk compared to the patient with a high PTT.
B: The patient on BiPAP with a respiratory rate of 16 is stable and does not require immediate assessment.
C: The patient post-percutaneous coronary intervention needing to void is a routine need and does not require immediate attention compared to the patient with a critical lab value.