The nursing is caring for a patient who has had an arterial line inserted. To reduce the risk of complications, what is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Apply a pressure dressing to the insertion site.
- B. Ensure all tubing connections are tightened.
- C. Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement.
- D. Restrain the affected extremity for 24 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obtain a portable x-ray to confirm placement. This is the priority intervention because it ensures the arterial line is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as dislodgement or improper placement. Applying a pressure dressing (choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority. Ensuring tubing connections are tightened (choice B) is important for preventing leaks but does not address placement. Restraining the affected extremity (choice D) is unnecessary and can lead to complications. The x-ray confirms correct placement, ensuring accurate monitoring and treatment.
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The nurse is caring for a patient with acute kidney injury who is being treated with hemodialysis. The patient asks if he will need dialysis for the rest of his life. Which of the following would be the best response?
- A. “Unfortunately, kidney injury is not reversible; it is permanent.”
- B. “Kidney function usually returns within 2 weeks.”
- C. “You will know for sure if you start urinating a lot all at once.”
- D. “Recovery is possible, but it may take several months.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: “Recovery is possible, but it may take several months.” This response is the best choice as it provides a balanced and accurate explanation to the patient. Here's the rationale:
1. Hemodialysis is often used as a temporary measure to support kidney function while allowing time for the kidneys to recover.
2. Acute kidney injury can be reversible in some cases, especially if the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly.
3. Recovery time varies for each individual, and it can indeed take several months for kidney function to improve.
4. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect:
- A is overly pessimistic and does not consider the potential for recovery.
- B provides a specific timeframe that may not be accurate for all patients.
- C is not a reliable indicator of kidney function recovery and may lead to confusion.
The nurse obtains the pulse rate of 89 beats/minute for an infant before administering digoxin (Lanoxin). Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Withhold the medication and contact the healthcare provider.
- B. Give the medication dosage as scheduled.
- C. Assess respiratory rate for one minute next.
- D. Wait 30 minutes and give half of the dosage of medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Infants typically have higher resting heart rates than adults, so a pulse rate of 89 beats/minute for an infant may indicate bradycardia. Digoxin can further lower the heart rate, leading to potential adverse effects like arrhythmias. Therefore, withholding the medication and contacting the healthcare provider is crucial to ensure the safety of the infant.
Choice B is incorrect because administering digoxin without addressing the elevated pulse rate can be dangerous. Choice C is incorrect as assessing respiratory rate does not address the immediate concern of the elevated pulse rate. Choice D is also incorrect as waiting and giving half of the dosage may further exacerbate the situation.
The patient’s potassium level is 7.0 mEq/L. Besides dialysis, which of the following actually reduces plasma potassium levels and total body potassium content safely in a patient with renal dysfunction?
- A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate with sorbitol
- C. Regular insulin
- D. Calcium gluconate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Regular insulin
Rationale:
1. Insulin promotes cellular uptake of potassium.
2. When insulin is administered, it moves potassium from extracellular to intracellular space.
3. This decreases plasma potassium levels safely.
4. Other options do not directly lower potassium levels in the same manner.
Summary of Other Choices:
A: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate - exchanges sodium for potassium in the intestines, not reducing total body potassium.
B: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate with sorbitol - similar to A, does not reduce total body potassium.
D: Calcium gluconate - does not directly lower potassium levels, used for treating hyperkalemia-induced cardiac toxicity.
Intrapulmonary shunting refers to what outcome?
- A. Alveoli that are not perfused.
- B. Blood that is shunted from the left side of the heart to t he right and causes heart failure.
- C. Blood that is shunted from the right side of the heart to the left without oxygenation.
- D. Shunting of blood supply to only one lung.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C is correct:
1. Intrapulmonary shunting refers to blood bypassing the normal oxygenation process in the lungs.
2. Choice C describes blood being shunted from the right side of the heart (deoxygenated blood) to the left side without oxygenation, leading to systemic circulation without oxygenation.
3. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe intrapulmonary shunting as they focus on other concepts like alveolar perfusion, heart failure, and unilateral lung blood supply, respectively.
The client has been in the CCU for several weeks and has been very unstable. One family member stays at the bedside constantly and even naps in a bedside chair. The nurse understands that the family member is exhibiting which family member response to critical illness?
- A. Exhibiting extreme distrust of the health care team
- B. Seeking evidence for future legal or punitive action
- C. Trying to maintain a level of control over the situation
- D. Experiencing extreme fatigue from constant stress
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Trying to maintain a level of control over the situation. The family member staying at the bedside constantly and even napping there is likely trying to cope with the stressful situation by maintaining a sense of control and connection to the patient. This behavior can be a way for the family member to feel more involved and helpful during a time of uncertainty and powerlessness. Choices A and B involve negative assumptions about the family member's intentions without evidence. Choice D may be a result of the family member's actions but does not address the underlying motivation for their behavior.