Many critically ill patients experience anxiety. The nurse can reduce anxiety with which approach?
- A. Asking family members to limit their visitation to 2-hour periods in morning, afternoon, and evening. You know that this is the best approach to ensure uninterrupted rest time for the patient. Tell the patient, “Your family is in the waiting room. They will be permitted to come in at 2:0 0 PM after you take a short nap.”
- B. Explaining the unit routine. “Assessments are done every 4 hours; patients are bathed on the night shift around 5:00 AM; family memabbierbr.sc oamr/ete spt ermitted to visit you after the physicians make their morning rounds. They can spend the day. Lights are out every night at 10:00 PM.”
- C. Stating, “It’s time to turn you. I am going to ask another nurse to come in and help me. We will turn you to your left side. During the turn , I’m going to inspect the skin on your back and rub some lotion on your back. T his should help to make you feel better.”
- D. Suctioning the endotracheal tube immediately when thaeb iprba.ctoiemn/tte sst tarts to cough. Sharing, “Your tube needs suctioned; you should feel better after I’m done.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it addresses the patient's anxiety by providing clear communication and involving the patient in the care process. By explaining the turning procedure, inspecting the skin, and providing comfort through lotion application, the nurse establishes trust and promotes a sense of control for the patient. This approach helps alleviate anxiety by keeping the patient informed and engaged in their care.
Choice A is incorrect because limiting family visitation may not directly address the patient's anxiety. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on routine information rather than directly addressing the patient's anxiety. Choice D is incorrect because suctioning the endotracheal tube may cause discomfort and does not address the underlying anxiety issue.
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Which patient should the nurse notify the organ procureme nt organization (OPO) to evaluate for possible organ donation?
- A. A 36-year-old patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 with no activity on electroencephalogram
- B. A 68-year-old male admitted with unstable atrial fibrillation who has suffered a stroke
- C. A 40-year-old brain-injured female with a history of ovabairrbi.acnom c/taenstc er and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7
- D. A 53-year-old diabetic male with a history of unstable angina status post resuscitation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the patient is a 36-year-old with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 and no activity on electroencephalogram, indicating severe brain injury and likely irreversible neurological damage. This patient meets the criteria for potential organ donation as they are neurologically devastated.
Choice B is incorrect because the patient's condition is related to stroke and atrial fibrillation, not severe brain injury that would make them a candidate for organ donation.
Choice C is incorrect because although the patient has a brain injury and a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score, the history of a reversible cause (ovarian cancer metastasis) and a higher GCS score compared to choice A make this patient less suitable for organ donation evaluation.
Choice D is incorrect as the patient's diabetic and cardiovascular history does not suggest severe brain injury that would qualify for organ donation.
The patient has just returned from having an arteriovenous fistula placed. The patient asks, “When will they be able to use this and take this other catheter out?” The nurse should reply,
- A. “It can be used immediately, so the catheter can come out anytime.”
- B. “It will take 2 to 4 weeks to heal before it can be used.”
- C. “The fistula will be usable in about 4 to 6 weeks.”
- D. “The fistula was made using graft material, so it depends on the manufacturer.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: “The fistula will be usable in about 4 to 6 weeks.” The rationale for this is that an arteriovenous fistula typically requires 4 to 6 weeks to mature and be ready for use. During this time, the fistula develops the necessary blood flow for efficient dialysis.
Choice A is incorrect because immediate use of the fistula is not recommended as it needs time to mature. Choice B is incorrect as it underestimates the time needed for the fistula to heal and mature. Choice D is incorrect as the usability of the fistula is not dependent on the manufacturer but rather on the patient's individual healing process.
To maintain proper cuff pressure of an endotracheal tube (ET) when the patient is on mechanical ventilation, the nurse should:
- A. Inflate the cuff with a minimum of 10 mL of air.
- B. Inflate the cuff until the pilot balloon is firm on palpation.
- C. Inject air into the cuff until a manometer shows 15 mm Hg pressure.
- D. Inject air into the cuff until a slight leak is heard only at peak inflation.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because inflating the cuff until a slight leak is heard only at peak inflation ensures it is adequately sealed but not overinflated, preventing complications like tracheal injury or pressure necrosis. Choice A lacks specificity and can lead to overinflation. Choice B may result in overinflation as the firmness of the balloon is subjective. Choice C relies on a specific pressure reading, which may vary based on factors like tube size and patient anatomy, potentially leading to under- or overinflation.
When performing an initial pulmonary artery occlusion pr essure (PAOP), what are the best nursing actions? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Inflate the balloon for no more than 8 to 10 seconds w hile noting the waveform change.
- B. Inflate the balloon with air, recording the volume nece ssary to obtain a reading.
- C. Maintain the balloon in the inflated position for 8 hours following insertion.
- D. Zero reference and level the air-fluid interface of the tr ansducer at the level of the phlebostatic axis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Inflate the balloon for no more than 8 to 10 seconds while noting the waveform change. This is because inflating the balloon within this time frame allows for accurate measurement of PAOP without causing complications like pulmonary edema. Noting the waveform change helps in determining the accurate pressure reading.
Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
B: Inflating the balloon with air and recording the volume necessary is not a recommended practice as it can lead to inaccurate readings and potential harm to the patient.
C: Maintaining the balloon inflated for 8 hours following insertion is unnecessary and could lead to complications such as vascular damage or thrombosis.
D: Zero referencing and leveling the transducer at the phlebostatic axis are important steps but not directly related to performing an initial PAOP measurement.
The nurse returns from the cardiac catheterization laboratory with a patient following insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and assists in transferring th e patient from the stretcher to the bed. Prior to obtaining a cardiac output, which action is m ost important for the nurse to complete?
- A. Document a pulmonary artery catheter occlusion press ure.
- B. Zero reference the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis.
- C. Inflate the pulmonary artery catheter balloon with 1 m L air.
- D. Inject 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline into the proximal port.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Zero reference the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis. This is the most important action before obtaining a cardiac output because zero referencing ensures accurate pressure readings. The phlebostatic axis is the level of the atria when the patient is supine, and zeroing at this point minimizes errors in pressure measurements.
Choice A is incorrect because documenting a pulmonary artery catheter occlusion pressure is not the priority at this stage. Choice C is incorrect as inflating the balloon with air should be done after zero referencing. Choice D is incorrect as injecting normal saline into the port is not necessary before zero referencing.