The nurse is caring for four patients on the progressive car e unit. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing delirium?
- A. 36-year-old recovering from a motor vehicle crash with an alcohol withdrawal protocol.
- B. 54-year-old postoperative aortic aneurysm resection with an elevated creatinine level
- C. 86-year-old from nursing home, postoperative from coalboirnb .croemse/tecstti on
- D. 95-year-old with community-acquired pneumonia; fam ily has brought in eyeglasses and hearing aid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, the 86-year-old postoperative from colonic resection. This patient is at the greatest risk for delirium due to being elderly, having undergone surgery, and having a history of being from a nursing home. These factors contribute to an increased susceptibility to delirium.
A: The 36-year-old with alcohol withdrawal may be at risk for delirium tremens, but the older age of the patient in choice C places them at higher risk.
B: The 54-year-old with an elevated creatinine level postoperative is at risk for complications, but age and history of nursing home placement increase the risk for delirium in choice C.
D: The 95-year-old with community-acquired pneumonia is at risk for delirium, but the combination of age, surgery, and nursing home history in choice C presents a greater risk.
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What is the most important nursing intervention for patien ts who receive neuromuscular blocking agents?
- A. Administer sedatives in conjunction with the neuromu as bc iu rbl .a cor m b /tl eo sc t king agents.
- B. Assess neurological status every 30 minutes.
- C. Avoid interaction with the patient, because he or she won’t be able to hear.
- D. Restrain the patient to avoid self-extubation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess neurological status every 30 minutes. This intervention is crucial for patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents to monitor for any adverse effects such as respiratory depression or paralysis. Regular assessments help ensure early detection of complications and prompt intervention.
A: Administering sedatives in conjunction with neuromuscular blocking agents can potentiate respiratory depression and lead to respiratory compromise.
C: Avoiding interaction with the patient is not appropriate as communication and patient interaction are important aspects of nursing care.
D: Restraint should be avoided as it can increase the risk of complications such as pressure ulcers, anxiety, and decreased respiratory function.
Overall, regular neurological assessments are essential for ensuring patient safety and prompt intervention in case of any complications.
A nurse is the only one in the ICU who has not achieved certification in critical care nursing. She often will ask her fellow nurses what to do in caring for a patient because she doubts the accuracy of her knowledge and her intuition. She loves her work but wishes she could do it with a greater level of competence. What is the most important effect that obtaining certification would likely have on the nurses practice?
- A. Recognition by peers
- B. Increase in salary and rank
- C. More flexibility in seeking employment
- D. Increased confidence in making decisions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Increased confidence in making decisions. Obtaining certification in critical care nursing would likely enhance the nurse's knowledge and skills, leading to increased confidence in making clinical decisions. This confidence would stem from the rigorous training and education required to achieve certification, as well as the validation of her expertise in critical care nursing. With increased confidence, the nurse would be more self-assured in her abilities, leading to improved patient care outcomes.
Choice A: Recognition by peers is not the most important effect because while recognition is a positive outcome, it may not directly impact the nurse's ability to provide better patient care.
Choice B: Increase in salary and rank is not the most important effect because while financial benefits are important, the primary focus of obtaining certification should be on improving competence and patient care.
Choice C: More flexibility in seeking employment is not the most important effect because while certification may open up more job opportunities, the main benefit should be on enhancing the nurse's skills and confidence in providing quality
Which statement is true regarding the impact of culture on end-of-life decision making?
- A. African-Americans prefer more conservative, less invaasbiirvbe.c ocma/rtees to ptions during the end of life.
- B. Caucasians prefer aggressive and more invasive care options during the end of life.
- C. Culture and religious beliefs may affect end-of-life decision making.
- D. Perspectives regarding end-of-life care are similar betwabeirebn.c oamn/dte swt ithin religious groups.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
1. Culture and religious beliefs can significantly impact end-of-life decision making by influencing values, beliefs, and preferences.
2. These factors may affect choices related to treatment options, quality of life, and spiritual aspects.
3. Different cultural backgrounds may lead to varying perspectives on autonomy, family involvement, and medical interventions.
4. Option A and B make generalizations based on race, which is not accurate as preferences can vary widely within any racial group.
5. Option D is incorrect as perspectives on end-of-life care can vary even within the same religious group due to individual beliefs and interpretations.
The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who has chosen palliative care. Which goal should the nurse prioritize when planning care?
- A. Cure the patient’s underlying disease.
- B. Manage the patient’s pain and symptoms.
- C. Prolong the patient’s life expectancy.
- D. Address the family’s concerns and questions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Manage the patient's pain and symptoms. In palliative care, the primary goal is to provide comfort and improve quality of life for terminally ill patients. Managing pain and symptoms is crucial in achieving this goal. By addressing pain and symptoms, the nurse can help enhance the patient's comfort and well-being. Other choices are incorrect because palliative care focuses on improving quality of life rather than curing the underlying disease (A), prolonging life expectancy (C), or primarily addressing family concerns (D). Prioritizing pain and symptom management aligns with the holistic approach of palliative care.
As the nurse admits a patient with end-stage kidney disease to the hospital, the patient tells the nurse, 'If my heart or breathing stops, I do not want to be resuscitated.' Which action is best for the nurse to take?
- A. Ask if these wishes have been discussed with the healthcare provider.
- B. Place a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) notation in the patient’s care plan.
- C. Inform the patient that a notarized advance directive must be included in the record.
- D. Advise the patient to designate a person to make health care decisions.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Asking if these wishes have been discussed with the healthcare provider is important to ensure that the patient's wishes are documented and considered in the care plan.
Step 2: The healthcare provider needs to be aware of the patient's preferences regarding resuscitation to provide appropriate care.
Step 3: This step helps in clarifying the patient's preferences and ensures that the healthcare team follows the patient's wishes.
Step 4: Placing a DNR notation without consulting the healthcare provider may not align with the patient's overall care plan and may lead to potential legal and ethical issues.
Step 5: Informing the patient about notarized advance directives and designating a person for healthcare decisions are important but not the immediate step needed in this scenario.
In summary, choice A is correct as it prioritizes communication with the healthcare provider to ensure the patient's wishes are properly documented and followed. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not involve confirming the patient's wishes