A patient in hospice care is experiencing dyspnea. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Position the patient flat on their back.
- B. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
- C. Restrict fluid intake to reduce congestion.
- D. Perform chest physiotherapy to improve breathing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen as prescribed. Dyspnea in a hospice patient often indicates respiratory distress, and administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and alleviate breathing difficulty. Positioning the patient flat on their back (A) may worsen dyspnea due to increased pressure on the diaphragm. Restricting fluid intake (C) is not appropriate as dehydration can exacerbate respiratory distress. Chest physiotherapy (D) may not be suitable for a hospice patient experiencing dyspnea as it can be physically taxing and may not address the underlying cause effectively.
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Which action is a priority for the nurse to take when the low-pressure alarm sounds for a patient who has an arterial line in the left radial artery?
- A. Fast flush of the arterial line.
- B. Check the left hand for pallor.
- C. Assess for cardiac dysrhythmias.
- D. Rezero the monitoring equipment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): When the low-pressure alarm sounds for a patient with an arterial line, the nurse should assess for cardiac dysrhythmias first. This is because a sudden drop in pressure could indicate a serious issue affecting the heart's ability to pump effectively. Identifying and addressing any cardiac dysrhythmias promptly is crucial for patient safety.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Fast flush of the arterial line - This would not address the underlying cause of the low-pressure alarm and may not be necessary.
B: Check the left hand for pallor - While assessing perfusion is important, it is not the priority when the alarm indicates a potential cardiac issue.
D: Rezero the monitoring equipment - While important for accuracy, it is not the priority when the alarm indicates a potential cardiac concern.
Which intervention about visitation in the critical care unit is true?
- A. The majority of critical care nurses implement restricte d visiting hours to allow the patient to rest.
- B. Children should never be permitted to visit a critically ill family member.
- C. Visitation that is individualized to the needs of patients and family members is ideal.
- D. Visiting hours should always be unrestricted.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because individualized visitation meets the unique needs of patients and family members, promoting holistic care and emotional support. Choice A is incorrect as strictly restricted visiting hours may hinder family involvement in care. Choice B is incorrect as children can provide comfort and support. Choice D is incorrect as unrestricted visiting may disrupt patient rest and care routines.
The critical care nurse is responsible for monitoring the patient receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In doing so, the nurse should
- A. assess that the blood tubing is warm to the touch.
- B. assess the hemofilter every 6 hours for clotting.
- C. cover the dialysis lines to protect them from light.
- D. use clean technique during vascular access dressing changes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing the hemofilter every 6 hours for clotting is essential in ensuring the effectiveness of CRRT. Clotting can obstruct blood flow, leading to treatment inefficiency and potential harm to the patient. This step helps the nurse to promptly address any clotting issues and prevent complications.
A: Assessing that the blood tubing is warm to the touch is not a standard practice for monitoring CRRT and does not provide relevant information about the treatment's effectiveness.
C: Covering the dialysis lines to protect them from light is not a priority in monitoring CRRT. Light exposure is not a common concern in this context.
D: Using clean technique during vascular access dressing changes is important for infection prevention but is not directly related to monitoring the effectiveness of CRRT.
As part of the admission process, the nurse asks several questions about family relationships. The nurse bases these actions on which rationale?
- A. Assessing family relationships is an initial step in including the family in patient care.
- B. These questions are part of the admission assessment tool required by this CCU.
- C. The nurse has a natural curiosity and wishes to know how the family members relate for her own knowledge.
- D. There is an ongoing research study to identify variant family patterns related to disease incidence.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice A is correct:
1. Involving the family in patient care is crucial for holistic care.
2. Assessing family relationships helps identify support systems and potential conflicts.
3. Understanding family dynamics aids in creating a comprehensive care plan.
4. Family involvement can enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Summary of incorrect choices:
B. Irrelevant, as the focus is on patient-centered care, not just fulfilling an assessment tool.
C. Personal curiosity is not a valid reason for assessing family relationships in healthcare.
D. Conducting research on family patterns does not directly impact the immediate care of the patient.
The nurse is caring for a client who is unable to void. The plan of care establishes an objective for the client to ingest at least 1000 mL of fluid between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. Which client response should the nurse document that indicates a successful outcome?
- A. Demonstrates adequate fluid intake and output.
- B. Verbalizes abdominal comfort without pressure.
- C. Drinks 240 mL of fluid five times during the shift.
- D. Voids at least 1000 mL between 7 am and 3 pm.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The objective is for the client to ingest at least 1000 mL of fluid between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm.
Step 2: Choice C states that the client drinks 240 mL of fluid five times during the shift, totaling 1200 mL (240 mL x 5) which exceeds the required amount.
Step 3: Therefore, choice C is the correct answer as it demonstrates successful achievement of the objective by ensuring the client has ingested enough fluid within the specified time frame.
Step 4: Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the specific objective of fluid intake set for the client. Option A focuses on intake and output, option B relates to abdominal comfort, and option D is about voiding, none of which directly address the specified objective of fluid ingestion.