Nokea
The nurse wishes to assess the quality of a patient’s pain. Which questions is appropriate to obtain this assessment if the patient is able to give a verbal response?
- A. “Is the pain constant or intermittent?”
- B. “Is the pain sharp, dull, or crushing?”
- C. “What makes the pain better? Worse?”
- D. “When did the pain start?”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking if the pain is sharp, dull, or crushing helps assess the quality of pain, providing specific information on the type of sensation felt. This is crucial for understanding the underlying cause and guiding appropriate treatment.
A: Asking about pain being constant or intermittent addresses duration, not quality.
C: Inquiring about what makes pain better or worse focuses on triggers, not quality.
D: Asking when the pain started addresses onset time, not quality.
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The patient is on intake and output (I&O), as well as daily weights. The nurse notes that output is considerably less than intake over the last shift, and daily weight is 1 kg more than yesterday. The nurse should
- A. draw a trough level after the next dose of antibiotic.
- B. obtain an order to place the patient on fluid restriction.
- C. assess the patient’s lungs.
- D. insert an indwelling catheter.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First, the nurse should assess the patient's lungs to rule out any potential respiratory issues causing fluid retention. This is crucial as the patient has signs of fluid imbalance with decreased output and increased weight. Assessing the lungs can help identify conditions like heart failure or pneumonia that may contribute to these changes. Drawing a trough level (choice A) is not a priority as it doesn't address the immediate concern of fluid imbalance. Placing the patient on fluid restriction (choice B) should only be done after identifying the cause of the imbalance. Inserting an indwelling catheter (choice D) is not necessary at this point as the issue is related to fluid balance, not urinary elimination.
A hospice nurse who has become close to a terminally ill patient is present in the home when the patient dies and feels saddened and tearful as the family members begin to cry. Which action should the nurse take at this time?
- A. Contact a grief counselor as soon as possible.
- B. Cry along with the patient’s family members.
- C. Leave the home as soon as possible to allow the family to grieve privately.
- D. Consider whether working in hospice is desirable because patient losses are common.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cry along with the patient’s family members. This action demonstrates empathy and support for the family's grief, showing that the nurse acknowledges and shares their feelings. It can help the family feel understood and supported during a difficult time. By crying with the family, the nurse can validate their emotions and provide comfort without intruding on their personal space. This approach fosters a sense of connection and trust between the nurse and the family, enhancing the quality of care provided.
Incorrect Choices:
A: Contact a grief counselor as soon as possible - This choice may be premature and could come across as impersonal or distancing in the immediate aftermath of the patient’s death.
C: Leave the home as soon as possible - This choice would be insensitive and could make the family feel abandoned in their time of need.
D: Consider whether working in hospice is desirable because patient losses are common - This choice is inappropriate as it suggests the nurse should reconsider their career choice based on emotional reactions,
The nurse is preparing to obtain a right atrial pressure (RA P/CVP) reading. What are the most appropriate nursing actions? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Compare measured pressures with other physiological parameters.
- B. Flush the central venous catheter with 20 mL of sterile saline.
- C. Inflate the balloon with 3 mL of air and record the pres sure tracing.
- D. Obtain the right atrial pressure measurement during en d exhalation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because comparing measured pressures with other physiological parameters ensures accuracy and consistency. This step helps in interpreting the RA P/CVP reading correctly. Choice B is incorrect as flushing the catheter with saline is not necessary for obtaining the pressure reading. Choice C is incorrect as inflating the balloon with air is not part of the correct procedure. Choice D is incorrect because obtaining the measurement during exhalation can affect the accuracy of the reading.
The nurse responds to a ventilator alarm and finds the patient lying in bed holding the endotracheal tube (ET). Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Activate the rapid response team.
- B. Provide reassurance to the patient.
- C. Call the health care provider to reinsert the tube.
- D. Manually ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action is D: Manually ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen. This is crucial to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent hypoxia. Holding the ET tube can lead to extubation and airway compromise. Activating the rapid response team (A) may delay immediate intervention. Providing reassurance (B) is important but not the priority in this situation. Calling the health care provider (C) to reinsert the tube would also lead to a delay in providing essential respiratory support.
A critically ill patient experiences stress and anxiety from many factors. Treatment of the patient focuses on reducing stressors and providing supportive care such as nutrition, oxygenation, pain management, control of anxiety, and specific care of the illness or injury. What is the best rationale for these interventions?
- A. Helps to support the patients immune system
- B. Part of good nursing care
- C. Mandated by hospital policy
- D. Reassures the patient and family
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Helps to support the patient's immune system. Providing supportive care such as nutrition, oxygenation, pain management, and anxiety control can help reduce stress, which in turn supports the immune system. Stress weakens the immune system, making the patient more vulnerable to infections and complications. By addressing stress and anxiety through supportive care, the patient's immune system is better able to function optimally, aiding in the recovery process.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because:
B: Part of good nursing care - While supportive care is indeed part of good nursing care, the key rationale for these interventions in a critically ill patient is to support the immune system, not just to provide good nursing care.
C: Mandated by hospital policy - Hospital policies may dictate certain aspects of care, but the primary goal of these interventions is to support the patient's immune system, not just to comply with hospital policies.
D: Reassures the patient and family - While providing reass