Nokea
The nurse cares for an adolescent patient who is dying. The patient’s parents are interested in organ donation and ask the nurse how the decision about brain death is made. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Brain death occurs if a person is flaccid and unresponsive.
- B. If CPR is ineffective in restoring a heartbeat, the brain cannot function.
- C. Brain death has occurred if there is no breathing and certain reflexes are absent.
- D. If respiratory efforts cease and no apical pulse is audible, brain death is present.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Brain death has occurred if there is no breathing and certain reflexes are absent. Brain death is defined as the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem. The absence of breathing and certain reflexes, such as no response to painful stimuli or no pupillary response to light, are key indicators of brain death. This definition is crucial for determining eligibility for organ donation.
Incorrect choices:
A: Brain death occurs if a person is flaccid and unresponsive. Flaccidity and unresponsiveness are not specific criteria for diagnosing brain death.
B: If CPR is ineffective in restoring a heartbeat, the brain cannot function. The absence of a heartbeat alone does not indicate brain death.
D: If respiratory efforts cease and no apical pulse is audible, brain death is present. Respiratory cessation and the absence of pulse are not definitive signs of brain death.
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The primary care provider orders the following mechanica l ventilation settings for a patient who weighs 75 kg and whose spontaneous respiratory rate is 22 breaths/min. What arterial blood gas abnormality may occur if the patient continues taob ibrbe.c otamc/thesyt pneic at these ventilator settings? Settings: Tidal volume: 600 mL (8 mL per kg) FiO 2: 0.5 Respiratory rate: 14 breaths/min Mode assist/control Positive end-expiratory pressure: 10 cm H O
- A. Metabolic acidosis
- B. Metabolic alkalosis
- C. Respiratory acidosis
- D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Respiratory acidosis may occur if the patient continues at these ventilator settings. Respiratory acidosis happens when the lungs cannot remove enough of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the body. In this case, the low respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min may not be sufficient to adequately remove CO2, leading to its accumulation in the blood. This results in a decrease in blood pH, causing respiratory acidosis.
Summary of other choices:
A: Metabolic acidosis - Not the correct answer as the ventilator settings are more likely to affect the respiratory system rather than the metabolic system.
B: Metabolic alkalosis - Not the correct answer as the ventilator settings are not related to causing an increase in blood pH, which is characteristic of metabolic alkalosis.
D: Respiratory alkalosis - Not the correct answer as the low respiratory rate would not lead to excessive elimination of CO2, causing alkalosis.
One of the strategies shown to reduce perception of stress in critically ill patients and their families is support of spirituality. What nursing action is most clearly supportive of the patients spirituality?
- A. Referring patients to the Catholic chaplain
- B. Providing prayer booklets to patients and families
- C. Asking about beliefs about the universe
- D. Avoiding discussing religion with those of other faiths
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because asking about beliefs about the universe allows the nurse to understand the patient's spiritual needs and provide appropriate support. This action shows respect for the patient's beliefs and can help establish a connection between the patient and the nurse. Referring patients to a specific religious figure (choice A) may not align with the patient's beliefs. Providing prayer booklets (choice B) assumes the patient's belief system and may not be helpful. Avoiding discussing religion (choice D) can hinder the nurse-patient relationship and overlook potential sources of support for the patient.
A patient with respiratory failure has arterial pressure-based cardiac output (APCO) monitoring and is receiving mechanical ventilation with peak end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 12 cm H2O. Which information indicates that a change in the ventilator settings may be required?
- A. The arterial pressure is 90/46.
- B. The heart rate is 58 beats/minute.
- C. The stroke volume is increased.
- D. The stroke volume variation is 12%.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A decrease in the arterial pressure (hypotension) with a low diastolic pressure (46 mmHg) may indicate inadequate perfusion, possibly due to inadequate cardiac output from the mechanical ventilation. This suggests that a change in ventilator settings may be required to improve oxygenation and perfusion.
Option B is incorrect because a heart rate of 58 beats/minute alone does not provide direct information on the patient's hemodynamic status. Option C is incorrect as an increased stroke volume would usually be a positive indicator; it does not necessarily indicate a need for changing the ventilator settings. Option D is incorrect as a stroke volume variation of 12% is within normal limits and does not necessarily require a change in ventilator settings.
The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient an d responds to a high inspiratory pressure alarm. Recognizing possible causes for the alarma, btihrbe.c nomu/rtesset assesses for which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Coughing or attempting to talk
- B. Disconnection from the ventilator
- C. Kinks in the ventilator tubing
- D. Need for suctioning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Disconnection from the ventilator. This is the correct choice because a high inspiratory pressure alarm can indicate a disconnection, leading to inadequate ventilation and increased pressure in the circuit. This can be a life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.
Explanation of why other choices are incorrect:
A: Coughing or attempting to talk - While coughing or talking may affect the patient's ability to ventilate properly, it is not directly related to the high inspiratory pressure alarm.
C: Kinks in the ventilator tubing - Kinks in the tubing may cause increased resistance to airflow, but they are more likely to trigger a low pressure alarm rather than a high inspiratory pressure alarm.
D: Need for suctioning - Suctioning may be necessary for airway clearance, but it is not directly related to the high inspiratory pressure alarm.
Conditions that produce acute kidney injury by directly acting on functioning kidney tissue are classified as intrarenal. The most common intrarenal condition is
- A. prolonged ischemia.
- B. exposure to nephrotoxic substances.
- C. acute tubular necrosis (ATN).
- D. hypotension for several hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
1. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most common intrarenal condition as it directly affects kidney tubules.
2. ATN is characterized by damage to renal tubular cells due to various factors like toxins or ischemia.
3. Prolonged ischemia (choice A) can lead to ATN but is not the most common intrarenal condition.
4. Exposure to nephrotoxic substances (choice B) can cause ATN, but ATN itself is more common.
5. Hypotension for several hours (choice D) can result in ischemia and subsequent ATN, but ATN is still the primary intrarenal condition.