The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice uses what framework to guide critical care nursing practice?
- A. Evidence-based practice
- B. Healthy work environment
- C. National Patient Safety Goals
- D. Nursing process
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Evidence-based practice. The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice emphasize the use of evidence-based practice to guide critical care nursing. This framework ensures that nursing interventions are based on the best available evidence, leading to improved patient outcomes. Healthy work environment (B) and National Patient Safety Goals (C) are important but not specific frameworks for critical care nursing. The nursing process (D) is a systematic approach to delivering patient care but is not the primary guiding framework in critical care nursing practice.
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Which patient should the nurse refer for hospice care?
- A. A 60-year-old with lymphoma whose children are unable to discuss issues related to dying.
- B. A 72-year-old with chronic severe pain due to spinal arthritis and vertebral collapse.
- C. A 28-year-old with AIDS-related dementia who needs palliative care and pain management.
- D. A 56-year-old with advanced liver failure whose family members can no longer provide care in the home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient with AIDS-related dementia requires palliative care and pain management, which are key components of hospice care. This patient is likely in the terminal stage of their illness and would benefit from the comprehensive support provided by hospice services.
Choice A is incorrect because the patient's children's inability to discuss dying issues does not necessarily indicate a need for hospice care. Choice B is incorrect as chronic severe pain due to spinal arthritis is not a sole criterion for hospice referral. Choice D is incorrect as advanced liver failure alone does not automatically qualify a patient for hospice care.
A patient is being mechanically ventilated in the synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation mode at a rate of 4 breaths/min. Spontaneous reabsiprbi.rcaotmio/tensst are 12 breaths/min. After receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, respirations decrease to 4 breaths/min. Which acid-base disturbance will likely occur?
- A. Metabolic acidosis
- B. Metabolic alkalosis
- C. Respiratory acidosis
- D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (Respiratory alkalosis). Morphine sulfate can cause respiratory depression, leading to decreased respiratory rate. In this case, the patient's breaths decrease from 12 to 4 breaths/min, indicating hypoventilation. With decreased ventilation, there is less CO2 elimination, resulting in respiratory alkalosis. The other choices can be ruled out: A (Metabolic acidosis) and B (Metabolic alkalosis) are less likely caused by morphine sulfate, and C (Respiratory acidosis) is incorrect because the scenario describes hypoventilation, not hyperventilation.
A family member approaches the nurse caring for their gra vely ill son and states, “We want to donate our son’s organs.” What is the best action by the nu rse?
- A. Arrange a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians.
- B. Consult the hospital’s ethics committee for a ruling.
- C. Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO).
- D. Obtain family consent to withdraw life support.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO). This is the best action because the OPO is responsible for coordinating organ donation and transplantation. By involving the OPO, the nurse ensures that the donation process is handled appropriately and ethically.
Choice A: Arranging a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians may be necessary but should not be the first step in this situation.
Choice B: Consulting the hospital’s ethics committee may be helpful, but the immediate priority is to involve the OPO to facilitate organ donation.
Choice D: Obtaining family consent to withdraw life support is not the nurse’s role in this situation. The focus should be on organ donation to honor the family's wishes.
What is the basic underlying pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome?
- A. A decrease in the number of white blood cells availabl e.
- B. Damage to the right mainstem bronchus.
- C. Damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce suarbfiarbc.tcaomnt/t.e st
- D. Decreased capillary permeability.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce surfactant. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by damage to the alveolar epithelium, including type II pneumocytes responsible for producing surfactant. Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse. Damage to type II pneumocytes impairs surfactant production, leading to alveolar collapse and impaired gas exchange. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ARDS is not primarily caused by a decrease in white blood cells, damage to the right mainstem bronchus, or decreased capillary permeability.
What is the most critical element of effective early end-of-life decision making?
- A. Control of distressing symptoms such as nausea, anxie ty, and pain.
- B. Effective communication between the patient, family, aabnirdb. choema/tletsht care team throughout the course of the illness.
- C. Organizational support of palliative care principles.
- D. Relocation the dying patient from the critical care unit to a lower level of care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because effective communication ensures that the patient's wishes and values are understood and respected, leading to informed decision-making. It also promotes shared decision-making among the patient, family, and healthcare team, enhancing the quality of care. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while they are important aspects of end-of-life care, they do not address the core element of communication in facilitating meaningful and informed decisions.