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When evaluating a patient with a central venous catheter, the nurse observes that the insertion site is red and tender to touch and the patient’s temperature is 101.8°F. What should the nurse plan to do next?
- A. Give analgesics and antibiotics as ordered.
- B. Discontinue the catheter and culture the tip.
- C. Change the flush system and monitor the site.
- D. Check the site more frequently for any swelling.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Discontinue the catheter and culture the tip. The patient's symptoms indicate a possible catheter-related infection. Discontinuing the catheter will prevent further infection spread. Culturing the tip will identify the specific pathogen causing the infection, guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy. Choice A is incorrect because giving analgesics alone will not address the underlying infection. Choice C is incorrect as changing the flush system is not a priority when infection is suspected. Choice D is incorrect as checking the site more frequently does not address the need for immediate action to address the infection.
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The family of your critically ill patient tells you that they h ave not spoken with the physician in over 24 hours and they have some questions that they w ant clarified. During morning rounds, you convey this concern to the attending intensivist and arrange for her to meet with the family at 4:00 PM in the conference room. Which com petency of critical care nursing does this represent?
- A. Advocacy and moral agency in solving ethical issues
- B. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills
- C. Collaboration with patients, families, and team membe rs
- D. Facilitation of learning for patients, families, and team members
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Collaboration with patients, families, and team members. By addressing the family's concern about lack of communication with the physician and arranging a meeting between the intensivist and the family, the nurse is demonstrating collaboration skills in facilitating communication and ensuring the family's questions are addressed. This competency emphasizes the importance of working together with patients, families, and the healthcare team to provide optimal care.
Incorrect choices:
A: Advocacy and moral agency in solving ethical issues - While advocacy is important in nursing, in this scenario, the focus is on communication and collaboration rather than ethical issues.
B: Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills - Although these skills are crucial in critical care nursing, the situation described does not primarily involve clinical judgment but rather communication and collaboration.
D: Facilitation of learning for patients, families, and team members - While patient education is important, the main focus of the scenario is on addressing the family's concerns and facilitating communication, rather than educational aspects.
The nurse uses subtle measures of painful stimuli, such as nailbed pressure to elicit a response from a neurologically impaired patient. By using this meth od rather than nipple pinching, the nurse is exemplifying what ethical principle?
- A. Beneficence
- B. Fidelity
- C. Nonmaleficence
- D. Veracity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nonmaleficence. The nurse is demonstrating nonmaleficence by choosing a less harmful method (nailbed pressure) to assess pain in a neurologically impaired patient, instead of a more painful method (nipple pinching). Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of avoiding harm or minimizing harm to the patient. In this scenario, the nurse is prioritizing the well-being and comfort of the patient by using a less invasive and painful method to elicit a response. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because beneficence refers to doing good for the patient, fidelity to being loyal and maintaining trust, and veracity to truthfulness and honesty, none of which directly apply in this situation.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is orally intubated and on a mechanical ventilator. The nurse believes that the patient is experiencing excess anxiety. For this patient, what behavior best indicates anxiety?
- A. Restlessness
- B. Verbalization
- C. Increased respiratory rate
- D. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Restlessness. Restlessness is a common behavioral indicator of anxiety in patients. In this scenario, a patient who is orally intubated and on a ventilator may not be able to verbally express anxiety, making restlessness a more prominent sign. Verbalization may not be possible due to intubation. While increased respiratory rate can be a symptom of anxiety, it is also a common physiological response in patients on mechanical ventilation. A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 indicates severe impairment of consciousness, not specifically anxiety.
Which nursing actions are most important for a patient witahb irab .croigmh/tte srta dial arterial line? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Checking the circulation to the right hand every 2 hour s
- B. Maintaining a pressurized flush solution to the arterial line setup
- C. Monitoring the waveform on the monitor for dampenin g
- D. Restraining all four extremities with soft limb restraint s
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Checking circulation to the right hand is crucial for assessing perfusion and detecting potential complications.
Step 2: Arterial line placement can compromise blood flow, leading to ischemia if circulation is impaired.
Step 3: Monitoring circulation every 2 hours allows for early detection of issues and prompt intervention.
Step 4: This action ensures patient safety and prevents complications.
Summary:
- Choice B is incorrect as pressurized flush solution can increase the risk of complications.
- Choice C is incorrect as monitoring the waveform is important but not the most critical action.
- Choice D is incorrect as limb restraints can impede circulation and are unnecessary in this scenario.
The nurse educator is evaluating the care that a new registered nurse (RN) provides to a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. Which action by the new RN indicates the need for more education?
- A. The RN increases the FIO2 to 100% before suctioning.
- B. The RN secures a bite block in place using adhesive tape.
- C. The RN asks for assistance to reposition the endotracheal tube.
- D. The RN positions the patient with the head of the bed at 10 degrees.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because positioning the patient with the head of the bed at 10 degrees is incorrect for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. The optimal position for such patients is to elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees to prevent aspiration and improve oxygenation. Option A is incorrect as increasing FIO2 before suctioning is appropriate to ensure adequate oxygenation. Option B is incorrect as securing a bite block in place using adhesive tape is a standard practice to prevent the patient from biting on the endotracheal tube. Option C is incorrect as asking for assistance to reposition the endotracheal tube shows the RN is aware of the importance of proper placement to ensure effective ventilation.