Which intervention is appropriate to assist the patient to co pe with admission to the critical care unit?
- A. Allowing unrestricted visiting by several family members at one time
- B. Explaining all procedures in easy-to-understand terms
- C. Providing back massage and mouth care
- D. Turning down the alarm volume on the cardiac monito r
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Explaining all procedures in easy-to-understand terms. This intervention is appropriate as it helps reduce the patient's anxiety by providing clear information about what to expect during their stay in the critical care unit. This promotes a sense of control and understanding, which can positively impact the patient's coping mechanisms.
A: Allowing unrestricted visiting by several family members at one time may overwhelm the patient and interfere with their rest and recovery.
C: Providing back massage and mouth care may be beneficial but may not directly address the patient's need for information and understanding.
D: Turning down the alarm volume on the cardiac monitor may provide a more comfortable environment but does not address the patient's emotional and psychological needs related to coping with admission to the critical care unit.
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When caring for a patient who has an arterial catheter in the left radial artery for arterial pressure-based cardiac output (APCO) monitoring, which information obtained by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider?
- A. The patient has a positive Allen test.
- B. There is redness at the catheter insertion site.
- C. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 86 mm Hg.
- D. The dicrotic notch is visible in the arterial waveform.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: There is redness at the catheter insertion site. Redness at the catheter insertion site could indicate infection, which is a serious complication that requires immediate attention to prevent sepsis. Reporting this to the healthcare provider promptly is crucial for timely intervention. Choices A, C, and D are not as urgent. A positive Allen test (choice A) assesses collateral circulation and is important for assessing perfusion before arterial cannulation but does not require immediate intervention. Choice C (MAP is 86 mm Hg) falls within the normal range, so it does not indicate an urgent issue. The visibility of the dicrotic notch in the arterial waveform (choice D) is a normal finding and does not require immediate action.
The nurse is caring for an elderly patient who was admitted with renal insufficiency. An expected laboratory finding for this patient may be
- A. an increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
- B. a normal serum creatinine level.
- C. increased ability to excrete drugs.
- D. hypokalemia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: a normal serum creatinine level. In renal insufficiency, the kidneys are not able to filter waste products effectively, leading to an increase in serum creatinine levels. This is a common indicator of renal dysfunction.
A: An increased GFR would not be expected in renal insufficiency, as it signifies improved kidney function.
C: Increased ability to excrete drugs is not a typical finding in renal insufficiency, as impaired kidney function can lead to drug accumulation.
D: Hypokalemia is not directly related to renal insufficiency. It is more commonly associated with factors like diuretic use or gastrointestinal losses.
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a mode of ventaiblairbto.croym /atessst istance that produces which of the following conditions
- A. Each time the patient initiates a breath, the ventilator d elivers a full preset tidal volume.
- B. For each spontaneous breath taken by the patient, the tidal volume is determined by the patient’s ability to generate negative pressure.
- C. The patient must have a respiratory drive, or no breaths will be delivered.
- D. There is pressure remaining in the lungs at the end of eaxbiprbi.rcaotmio/tens tt hat is measured in cm H O.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a mode of ventilation where pressure is maintained in the lungs at the end of expiration. This helps prevent alveolar collapse and improves oxygenation. Option A is incorrect because PEEP does not deliver a full preset tidal volume with each breath initiation. Option B is incorrect because tidal volume in PEEP is not solely determined by the patient's ability to generate negative pressure. Option C is incorrect because in PEEP, breaths are delivered irrespective of the patient's respiratory drive.
The nurse returns from the cardiac catheterization laboratory with a patient following insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and assists in transferring th e patient from the stretcher to the bed. Prior to obtaining a cardiac output, which action is m ost important for the nurse to complete?
- A. Document a pulmonary artery catheter occlusion press ure.
- B. Zero reference the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis.
- C. Inflate the pulmonary artery catheter balloon with 1 m L air.
- D. Inject 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline into the proximal port.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Zero reference the transducer system at the phlebostatic axis. This is the most important action before obtaining a cardiac output because zero referencing ensures accurate pressure readings. The phlebostatic axis is the level of the atria when the patient is supine, and zeroing at this point minimizes errors in pressure measurements.
Choice A is incorrect because documenting a pulmonary artery catheter occlusion pressure is not the priority at this stage. Choice C is incorrect as inflating the balloon with air should be done after zero referencing. Choice D is incorrect as injecting normal saline into the port is not necessary before zero referencing.
The vision of the American Association of Critical-Care N urses is a healthcare system driven by achieving what goal?
- A. Maintaining a healthy work environment.
- B. Providing care from a multiprofessional team under th e direction of a critical care physician.
- C. Effectively meeting the needs of critically ill patients a nd families.
- D. Creating respectful, healing, and humane environments.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the vision of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses focuses on creating respectful, healing, and humane environments. This aligns with the core values of nursing, emphasizing compassion, dignity, and patient-centered care. A is incorrect as the focus is not solely on the work environment. B is incorrect as it emphasizes the role of physicians over the collaborative approach advocated by the AACN. C is incorrect as it only addresses meeting patient needs, whereas the vision encompasses a broader scope of creating healing environments.