After a change-of-shift report on a ventilator weaning unit, which patient should the nurse assess first?
- A. Patient who failed a spontaneous breathing trial and has been placed in rest mode on the ventilator.
- B. Patient who is intubated and has continuous partial pressure end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) monitoring.
- C. Patient with central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) of 69% while on bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP).
- D. Patient who was successfully weaned and extubated 4 hours ago and now has no urine output for the last 6 hours.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D - Patient who was successfully weaned and extubated 4 hours ago and now has no urine output for the last 6 hours. This patient should be assessed first because the absence of urine output for 6 hours after being extubated could indicate acute kidney injury or other serious complications that need immediate attention. Urine output is a crucial indicator of renal function and can reflect the patient's overall hemodynamic status. In contrast, the other choices do not present immediate life-threatening conditions. Choice A involves a patient in rest mode post-failed breathing trial, which does not require immediate assessment. Choice B mentions continuous PETCO2 monitoring, which is important but not as urgent as assessing a patient with no urine output. Choice C describes a patient with a ScvO2 of 69%, which may need monitoring but does not indicate an urgent priority compared to assessing a patient with no urine output after recent extubation.
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After the return of spontaneous circulation following the resuscitation of a patient who had a cardiac arrest, therapeutic hypothermia is ordered. Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Apply external cooling device.
- B. Check mental status every 15 minutes.
- C. Avoid the use of sedative medications.
- D. Rewarm if the temperature is <91°F (32.8°C).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply external cooling device. Therapeutic hypothermia is a treatment used to protect the brain after cardiac arrest by lowering the body temperature. The nurse should use external cooling devices, such as cooling blankets or ice packs, to achieve and maintain the desired temperature. This method allows for precise temperature control and monitoring. Checking mental status every 15 minutes (choice B) is not the priority as maintaining the temperature is crucial. Avoiding sedative medications (choice C) may be necessary to accurately assess the patient's neurological status. Rewarming if the temperature is <91°F (32.8°C) (choice D) is incorrect as the goal is to maintain hypothermia for a specific duration before gradual rewarming.
The patient is in the critical care unit and will receive dialysis this morning. The nurse will (Select all that apply.)
- A. evaluate morning laboratory results and report abnormal results.
- B. administer the patient’s antihypertensive medications.
- C. assess the dialysis access site and report abnormalities.
- D. weigh the patient to monitor fluid status.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because evaluating morning lab results is crucial to monitor the patient's condition before dialysis. Abnormal results may impact the dialysis treatment plan. Option B is incorrect as administering antihypertensive medications is not directly related to dialysis. Option C is incorrect as assessing the dialysis access site is the responsibility of the dialysis team. Option D is incorrect as weighing the patient is not typically done immediately before dialysis.
Which of the following patients is at the greatest risk of developing acute kidney injury? A patient who
- A. has been on aminoglycosides for the past 6 days
- B. has a history of controlled hypertension with a blood pressure of 138/88 mm Hg
- C. was discharged 2 weeks earlier after aminoglycoside therapy of 2 weeks
- D. has a history of fluid overload as a result of heart failure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a patient with a history of fluid overload due to heart failure is at the greatest risk of developing acute kidney injury. Heart failure can lead to decreased kidney perfusion causing acute kidney injury. In this scenario, the patient's fluid overload exacerbates the situation, further compromising kidney function.
Choice A is incorrect as aminoglycosides can cause kidney injury but the duration of 6 days is less concerning compared to chronic fluid overload from heart failure in choice D. Choice B is incorrect because controlled hypertension does not directly increase the risk of acute kidney injury. Choice C is incorrect as the patient being discharged 2 weeks earlier after aminoglycoside therapy does not necessarily indicate a higher risk compared to chronic fluid overload.
A middle-aged patient tells the nurse, 'My mother died 4 months ago, and I just can’t seem to get over it. I’m not sure it is normal to still think about her every day.' Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
- A. Hopelessness related to the inability to resolve grief.
- B. Complicated grieving related to unresolved issues.
- C. Anxiety related to lack of knowledge about normal grieving.
- D. Chronic sorrow related to ongoing distress about the loss of a mother.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Anxiety related to lack of knowledge about normal grieving. This is because the patient is expressing uncertainty and seeking validation for their feelings, indicating a lack of understanding about the grieving process. Choice A is incorrect as hopelessness typically involves feelings of despair and loss of motivation, which are not explicitly stated by the patient. Choice B is incorrect as complicated grieving involves specific unresolved issues related to the loss, which the patient did not mention. Choice D is incorrect as chronic sorrow is typically associated with ongoing feelings of sadness and longing, which are not explicitly expressed by the patient.
The following interventions are part of the emergency department (ED) protocol for a patient who has been admitted with multiple bee stings to the hands. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Remove the patient’s rings.
- B. Apply ice packs to both hands.
- C. Apply calamine lotion to any itching areas.
- D. Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg PO.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Remove the patient's rings first. This is crucial to prevent constriction and swelling due to potential allergic reactions or inflammation from bee stings. Removing rings allows for proper circulation and prevents complications like compartment syndrome. Ice packs (B) can be applied after removing the rings to reduce swelling. Calamine lotion (C) can provide relief for itching but is not as urgent as ring removal. Diphenhydramine (D) can be given later for systemic allergic reactions but should not take precedence over removing the rings.