Following a hip repair, the client develops hemoptysis, wheezing, and cyanosis. The nurse suspects a pulmonary embolus that originated from which site?
- A. Deep veins of the legs
- B. Bone marrow
- C. Myocardial tissue
- D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fat embolus usually occurs after a fracture or repair to the long bones. Pulmonary emboli may arise from the endocardium of the right side of the heart, but a myocardial infarction has not been identified in this client. The deep veins of the legs are a common site for emboli formation especially with prolonged inactivity or thrombophlebitis, which does not apply to this client.
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The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Which is a primary nursing intervention in caring for this client?
- A. Postural drainage
- B. Droplet precautions
- C. Preventative antibiotic use
- D. Administration of antitussives
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Management of bronchiectasis focuses on postural drainage and the movement of secretions out of the dilated sacs of the bronchioles. Bronchiectasis is not contagious or spread through droplets. The presence of infection is treated with selective antibiotics, but long-term preventative treatment with antibiotics is not protocol. Suppressing the cough mechanism with use of antitussives would be counterproductive in the management of bronchiectasis.
The nurse is caring for a client with tension pneumothorax. Which nursing assessment would alert the nurse to the development of a mediastinal shift in this client?
- A. Fluctuation of the fluid in the water-seal chamber
- B. Shift of rib cage toward affected side
- C. Sucking sound heard on inspiration and expiration
- D. Shift of trachea, esophagus, heart, and great vessels
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a tension pneumothorax, the air is sucked into the pleural cavity and cannot escape. The air accumulates and pushes the trachea, esophagus, heart, and great vessels toward the unaffected side. Fluctuation of the fluid in the water-seal chamber is an expected finding. There may be a paradoxical movement of the ribs but not a shifting to the side. A sucking sound may be heard with a pneumothorax, but air moves in and cannot escape out.
What are the condition(s) that make up Virchow's triad? Select all that apply.
- A. Hypercoagulability
- B. Disruption of the vessel lining
- C. Hypocoagulability
- D. Edema
- E. Venostasis
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Three conditions, referred to as Virchow's triad, predispose a person to clot formation: venostasis, disruption of the vessel lining, and hypercoagulability. Edema plays no part in Virchow's triad.
The client with a lower respiratory airway infection is presenting with the following symptoms: fever, chills, dry hacking cough, and wheezing. Which nursing diagnosis best supports the assessment by the nurse?
- A. Infection Risk
- B. Impaired Gas Exchange
- C. Ineffective Airway Clearance
- D. Altered Breathing Pattern
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The symptom of wheezing indicates a narrowing or partial obstruction of the airway from inflammation or secretions. Infection Risk is a real potential because the client is already exhibiting symptoms of infection (fever with chills). Impaired Gas Exchange may occur, but no symptom listed supports poor exchange of gases. No documentation of respiratory rate or abnormalities is listed to justify this nursing diagnosis.
A client is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. Which of the following nursing assessments is significant in diagnosing this client with flail chest?
- A. Respiratory acidosis
- B. Paradoxical chest movement
- C. Chest pain on inspiration
- D. Clubbing of fingers and toes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flail chest occurs when two or more adjacent ribs fracture and results in impairment of chest wall movement. Respiratory acidosis and chest pain are symptoms that can occur with flail chest but is not as significant in the diagnosis as paradoxical chest movement. Clubbing of fingers and toes are sign of prolonged tissue hypoxia.
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