The nurse doing rounds at the beginning of a shift notices a sputum specimen in a container sitting on the bedside table in a patient's room. The nurse asks the patient when he produced the sputum specimen and he states that the specimen is about 4 hours old. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Immediately take the sputum specimen to the laboratory.
- B. Discard the specimen and assist the patient in obtaining another specimen.
- C. Refrigerate the sputum specimen and submit it once it is chilled.
- D. Add a small amount of normal saline to moisten the specimen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Discard the specimen and assist the patient in obtaining another specimen. It is important to discard the sputum specimen because it has been sitting for 4 hours, which could lead to contamination and inaccurate test results. The nurse should assist the patient in obtaining a fresh specimen to ensure accurate testing.
Choice A is incorrect because taking the old specimen to the lab could lead to inaccurate results. Choice C is incorrect because refrigerating the old specimen won't prevent contamination. Choice D is incorrect because adding saline to the old specimen can alter its composition and lead to inaccurate test results.
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Air that remains in conducting passages and doesn't participate in gas exchange is termed
- A. vital capacity
- B. minimal volume
- C. residual volume
- D. anatomic dead space
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: anatomic dead space. Anatomic dead space refers to the air in the conducting passages (such as trachea, bronchi) that does not reach the alveoli for gas exchange. This space only serves as a pathway for air to move in and out of the lungs. Vital capacity (A) is the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation. Minimal volume (B) is not a recognized term in respiratory physiology. Residual volume (C) is the amount of air left in the lungs after a maximal exhalation and is not specifically related to the air in conducting passages.
The emergency department (ED) manager is reviewing client charts to determine how well the staff perform when treating clients with community-acquired pneumonia. What outcome demonstrates that goals for this client type have been met?
- A. Antibiotics started before admission.
- B. Blood cultures obtained within 20 minutes.
- C. Chest x-ray obtained within 30 minutes.
- D. Pulse oximetry obtained on all clients.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Antibiotics started before admission. This outcome demonstrates that the staff are meeting the goal for treating clients with community-acquired pneumonia because timely administration of antibiotics is crucial in managing this condition effectively. Starting antibiotics promptly helps to reduce the spread of infection and improve patient outcomes.
Blood cultures obtained within 20 minutes (B) is important for diagnosing the specific pathogen causing pneumonia but does not directly reflect the treatment goal achievement. Chest x-ray within 30 minutes (C) is essential for diagnosis but does not indicate treatment success. Pulse oximetry on all clients (D) is important for monitoring oxygen levels but does not directly show if the treatment goal for pneumonia has been met.
Haldane effect refers to
- A. Increased CO2 uptake to minimize CO2 tension
- B. Increased O2 tension
- C. Decreased CO2 tension
- D. Decreases O2 tension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased CO2 uptake to minimize CO2 tension. The Haldane effect describes how the blood's ability to carry CO2 increases as oxygen levels decrease. When oxygen binds to hemoglobin, it displaces CO2, allowing more CO2 to be carried by the blood. This phenomenon is crucial in the exchange of gases in the lungs and tissues.
Choice B is incorrect as the Haldane effect is related to CO2, not O2 tension. Choice C is incorrect as the Haldane effect leads to increased CO2 uptake, not decreased. Choice D is incorrect as it states decreases O2 tension, which is not directly related to the Haldane effect.
Apart from its role in acid-base balance
- A. what other function is associated with carbonic anhydrase in the gastrointestinal tract?
- B. Protein digestion
- C. Lipid absorption
- D. Starch breakdown
Correct Answer: d
Rationale: Rationale:
Carbonic anhydrase in the gastrointestinal tract catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons. This reaction helps maintain pH balance in the gut. Starch breakdown is not directly associated with carbonic anhydrase. Protein digestion is primarily carried out by proteases, and lipid absorption involves enzymes like lipase. These functions are not directly related to carbonic anhydrase in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the correct answer is D: Starch breakdown.
Decompression sickness is caused by
- A. a rapid rise of carbon dioxide in the blood.
- B. lack of oxygen in the tissues
- C. bubbles of nitrogen in the blood
- D. glucose deficiency.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decompression sickness occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the blood due to rapid changes in pressure during ascent. Nitrogen, a major component of air, dissolves in the blood at higher pressure and forms bubbles when pressure decreases. These bubbles can block blood vessels, leading to various symptoms. Choice A is incorrect as it pertains to hypercapnia, not decompression sickness. Choice B is incorrect as decompression sickness is not caused by lack of oxygen but rather by nitrogen bubbles. Choice D is incorrect as glucose deficiency is not related to decompression sickness. Therefore, the correct answer is C, bubbles of nitrogen in the blood.