While family members are visiting, a patient has a respiratory arrest and is being resuscitated. Which action by the nurse is best?
- A. Ask family members if they wish to remain in the room during the resuscitation.
- B. Take the family members quickly out of the patient's room and remain with them.
- C. Assign a staff member to wait with family members just outside the patient's room.
- D. Encourage family members to stay, but advise them on the potential stress of the situation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it respects the patient's right to privacy while also acknowledging the family's presence. By asking family members if they wish to remain in the room, the nurse allows them to make an informed decision based on their comfort level. This approach fosters open communication and shows respect for the family's emotions.
Choice B is incorrect because abruptly removing family members can increase their distress and feelings of powerlessness. Choice C is incorrect as it places the burden of support solely on a staff member, potentially isolating the family from the situation. Choice D is incorrect as it assumes family members should stay without considering their preferences or emotional well-being.
You may also like to solve these questions
The family is considering withdrawing life-sustaining measures from the patient. The nurse knows that ethical principles for withholding or withdrawi ng life-sustaining treatments include which of the following?
- A. Any treatment may be withdrawn and withheld, includ ing nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products.
- B. Doses of analgesic and anxiolytic medications must be adjusted carefully and should not exceed usual recommended limits.
- C. Life-sustaining treatments may be withdrawn while a patient is receiving paralytic agents.
- D. The goal of withdrawal and withholding of treatments is to hasten death and thus relieve suffering.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it aligns with the ethical principle of patient autonomy, which emphasizes the patient's right to make decisions about their own care. Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, including nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products, respects the patient's autonomy. This choice also reflects the principle of beneficence, as it aims to prevent unnecessary suffering and respects the patient's wishes.
Option B is incorrect because it focuses on pain and anxiety management rather than the broader ethical considerations of withholding life-sustaining treatments.
Option C is incorrect because withdrawing life-sustaining treatments while a patient is receiving paralytic agents can pose additional risks and complications, potentially conflicting with the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence.
Option D is incorrect because the primary goal of withdrawing or withholding treatments is not to hasten death but to respect the patient's autonomy and quality of life. This choice does not align with the ethical principles of patient-centered care.
The nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with acute respiratory failure identifies “Risk for Ineffective Airway Clearance” as a nursing diagnosis. Wh at nursing intervention is relevant to this diagnosis?
- A. Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees.
- B. Obtain order for venous thromboembolism prophylaxi s.
- C. Provide adequate sedation.
- D. Reposition patient every 2 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees. Elevating the head of the bed helps promote optimal airway clearance by facilitating drainage of secretions and reducing the risk of aspiration. This position also improves lung expansion and oxygenation. Choice B is important for preventing venous thromboembolism but not directly related to airway clearance. Choice C may not be appropriate as excessive sedation can impair airway clearance. Choice D is important for preventing pressure ulcers but does not directly address airway clearance.
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.
The nurse obtains a heart rate of 92 and a blood pressure of 110/76 prior to administering a scheduled dose of verapamil (Calan) for a client with atrial flutter. Which action should the nurse implement?
- A. Give intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate.
- B. Withhold the drug and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Administer the dose as prescribed.
- D. Recheck the vital signs in 30 minutes and then administer the dose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer the dose as prescribed. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker used to treat atrial flutter. The vital signs obtained are within normal range for this medication. A heart rate of 92 and blood pressure of 110/76 are not contraindications for administering verapamil. Option A is incorrect as calcium gluconate is not indicated in this situation. Option B is incorrect because the vital signs are stable and do not warrant withholding the medication. Option D is incorrect as there is no need to delay the administration of verapamil based on the vital signs provided.
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.