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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.
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What is the nurse’s priority intervention when a terminally ill patient reports severe breakthrough pain?
- A. Offer a warm compress to the painful area.
- B. Administer a prescribed PRN opioid analgesic.
- C. Reassess pain level after 2 hours.
- D. Provide distraction techniques to the patient.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer a prescribed PRN opioid analgesic. This is the priority intervention because severe breakthrough pain requires immediate relief, and opioids are the most effective for managing severe pain in terminally ill patients. Warm compresses (A) may provide some comfort but do not address the underlying pain. Reassessing pain after 2 hours (C) delays necessary relief. Distraction techniques (D) are not appropriate for severe breakthrough pain as they do not directly address the pain itself. Administering the prescribed opioid analgesic promptly is crucial for providing timely and effective pain management in this situation.
Which scenarios contribute to effective handoff communicaabitribo.cno ma/tte csth ange of shift? (Select all that apply.)
- A. The nephrology consultant physician is making rounds and asks the nurse to provide an update on the patient’s status and assist in p lacing a central line for hemodialysis.
- B. The noise level is high because twice as many staff me mbers are present and everyone is giving report in the nurse’s station.
- C. The unit has decided to use a standardized checklist/toaobli rbfo.cro mc/hteasnt ge-of-shift reports and patient transfers.
- D. Both the off-going and the oncoming nurses conduct a standardized report at the patient’s bedside and review key assessment findings.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates effective handoff communication by involving key stakeholders (nephrology consultant physician), requesting specific patient updates, and collaborating on patient care tasks (placing a central line). This scenario promotes continuity of care and ensures important information is shared.
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
B: High noise level disrupts communication and can lead to errors or omissions in handoff information.
C: While using a standardized checklist can be beneficial, it alone does not guarantee effective communication if not utilized properly or if key information is missed.
D: Conducting reports at the patient's bedside is beneficial for patient involvement but may not address the need for involving relevant healthcare providers like the consultant physician in the handoff process.
In which situation would a healthcare surrogate or proxy a ssume the end-of-life decision-making role for a patient?
- A. When a dying patient requires extensive heavy sedatioanb,i rbs.ucocmh/ taesst benzodiazepines and narcotics, to control distressing symptoms
- B. When a dying patient who is competent requests to wi thdraw treatment against the wishes of the family
- C. When a dying patient who is competent requests to con tinue treatment against the recommendations of the healthcare team
- D. When a dying patient who is competent is receiving pr n treatment for pain and anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because in this situation, the patient is no longer able to make decisions for themselves due to being heavily sedated. The healthcare surrogate or proxy steps in to make decisions on behalf of the patient to ensure their comfort and well-being.
Choice B is incorrect because the patient is competent and able to make their own decisions, so there is no need for a surrogate to take over decision-making.
Choice C is incorrect because the patient is competent and has the right to make decisions about their own treatment, even if they go against medical recommendations.
Choice D is incorrect because the patient is competent and receiving appropriate treatment for their pain and anxiety, so there is no need for a surrogate to intervene in this scenario.
A patient is having difficulty weaning from mechanical ve ntilation. The nurse assesses the patient and notes what potential cause of this difficult weaning?
- A. Cardiac output of 6 L/min
- B. Hemoglobin of 8 g/dL
- C. Negative sputum culture and sensitivity
- D. White blood cell count of 8000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hemoglobin of 8 g/dL. Low hemoglobin levels can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, causing respiratory distress and difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation. This is due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity leading to increased work of breathing.
A: Cardiac output of 6 L/min is within normal range and not directly related to difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation.
C: Negative sputum culture and sensitivity indicate absence of respiratory infection but not a direct cause of difficulty weaning.
D: White blood cell count of 8000 is within normal range and not a direct cause of difficulty weaning.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is being evaluated clianbiircba.clolmy/ tfeostr brain death by a primary care provider. Which assessment findings by the nurse sup port brain death?
- A. Absence of a corneal reflex
- B. Unequal, reactive pupils
- C. Withdrawal from painful stimuli
- D. Core temperature of 100.8° F
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, absence of a corneal reflex, because in brain death, all brainstem reflexes, including the corneal reflex, are absent. This indicates complete loss of brain function. Choice B, unequal reactive pupils, is incorrect as it suggests some level of brainstem function. Choice C, withdrawal from painful stimuli, is also incorrect as it is a spinal reflex and can occur even in the absence of brain function. Choice D, core temperature of 100.8° F, is irrelevant to assessing brain death.