To verify the correct placement of an oral endotracheal tube (ET) after insertion, the best initial action by the nurse is to:
- A. Auscultate for the presence of bilateral breath sounds.
- B. Obtain a portable chest x-ray to check tube placement.
- C. Observe the chest for symmetric chest movement with ventilation.
- D. Use an end-tidal CO2 monitor to check for placement in the trachea.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because using an end-tidal CO2 monitor is the most reliable method to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement in the trachea. This method detects exhaled CO2, indicating proper tube placement in the trachea. It is a quick and efficient way to confirm placement without delay, reducing the risk of complications.
A: Auscultating for bilateral breath sounds is not as reliable because breath sounds may be heard even if the tube is misplaced.
B: Obtaining a portable chest x-ray is not the best initial action as it takes time and delays confirming tube placement.
C: Observing chest movement may not provide conclusive evidence of proper tube placement and can lead to misinterpretation.
In summary, using an end-tidal CO2 monitor is the most accurate and efficient method to verify correct endotracheal tube placement compared to the other options.
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A 10-year-old female patient in ICU receiving chemotherapy has requested that her dog be allowed to visit her. She is currently sharing a room with another patient. The nurse knows that the hospital does allow for pet visits with owners, but has strict guidelines. Which of the following scenarios is most likely to be permitted?
- A. The girls father may bring the dog in on a leash for a 20-minute visit.
- B. The girls sister may bring the dog in with a shirt on (to prevent shedding) for an overnight stay.
- C. The girls mother may bring the dog in on a leash for a visit as long as he has had all his vaccinations.
- D. The dog may be brought in for a brief visit once the girl is moved to a private room.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it follows the hospital's guidelines for pet visits. It allows the dog to be brought in on a leash, which ensures control and safety during the visit. The 20-minute duration is appropriate to limit potential stress on the patient and other individuals in the room. Additionally, having the father bring the dog in maintains consistency with the hospital's policy of pet visits with owners.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not adhere to the hospital's guidelines. Choice B allows for an overnight stay, which is typically not permitted due to potential disruptions and hygiene concerns. Choice C mentions vaccinations but overlooks other important factors like leash control and visit duration. Choice D suggests waiting until the girl is moved to a private room, which may not align with the hospital's policy of allowing pet visits with owners.
Which nursing strategies help the patient to feel safe in the critical care setting? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Allow family members to remain at the bedside.
- B. Be sure to consult with the charge nurse before making any patient care decisions.
- C. Provide informal conversation by discussing your planasb ifrbo.rc oamf/tteesrt work.
- D. Explain how to communicate for assistance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because allowing family members to remain at the bedside can provide emotional support and comfort to the patient, helping them feel safe in the critical care setting. Family presence can also facilitate communication and understanding between the healthcare team and the patient.
Choice B is incorrect because consulting with the charge nurse before making patient care decisions may not directly contribute to the patient feeling safe.
Choice C is incorrect because providing informal conversation about work-related topics may not address the patient's need for safety and security in the critical care setting.
Choice D is incorrect because explaining how to communicate for assistance is important for patient care but may not directly contribute to the patient's sense of safety in the critical care setting.
In determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or creatinine clearance, a 24-hour urine is obtained. If a reliable 24-hour urine collection is not possible,
- A. it is not possible to determine the GFR.
- B. the BUN may be used to determine renal function.
- C. an elevated BUN/creatinine ratio can be used.
- D. a standardized formula may be used to calculate GFR.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because when a reliable 24-hour urine collection is not possible, a standardized formula can be used to estimate GFR. The Cockcroft-Gault equation or the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation are commonly used formulas to estimate GFR based on serum creatinine levels, age, gender, and race. These formulas provide a reasonable estimation of kidney function in the absence of a 24-hour urine collection.
Choice A is incorrect because there are alternative methods available to estimate GFR. Choice B is incorrect because BUN alone is not sufficient to accurately determine renal function. Choice C is incorrect because an elevated BUN/creatinine ratio is not a direct measure of GFR and may be influenced by factors other than kidney function, such as hydration status or liver function.
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute respiratory dist ress syndrome who is hypoxemic despite mechanical ventilation. The primary care provider (PCP) orders a nontraditional ventilator mode as part of treatment. Despite sedation and aabnirba.lcgoems/tieas,t the patient remains restless and appears to be in discomfort. The nurse informs the PCP of this assessment and anticipates what order?
- A. Continuous lateral rotation therapy
- B. Guided imagery
- C. Neuromuscular blockade
- D. Prone positioning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Neuromuscular blockade.
1. Neuromuscular blockade helps to achieve optimal ventilator synchrony by reducing patient-ventilator asynchrony and improving oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
2. Despite sedation, the patient's restlessness and discomfort suggest inadequate ventilator synchrony, which can be addressed by neuromuscular blockade.
3. Continuous lateral rotation therapy (A) and prone positioning (D) are interventions for improving ventilation and oxygenation in ARDS but do not directly address patient-ventilator synchrony.
4. Guided imagery (B) is a non-pharmacological technique for relaxation and pain management, which may not address the underlying issue of ventilator synchrony in this case.
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) differs from conventional intermittent hemodialysis in that
- A. a hemofilter is used to facilitate ultrafiltration.
- B. it provides faster removal of solute and water.
- C. it does not allow diffusion to occur.
- D. the process removes solutes and water slowly.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because CRRT removes solutes and water slowly, which is beneficial for hemodynamically unstable patients. This slow removal allows for gradual fluid and electrolyte balance adjustments, reducing the risk of hemodynamic instability.
A: Incorrect - A hemofilter is indeed used in CRRT, but this choice does not highlight the key difference between CRRT and intermittent hemodialysis.
B: Incorrect - CRRT actually provides slower solute and water removal compared to intermittent hemodialysis.
C: Incorrect - Diffusion does occur in CRRT, as it is a key mechanism for solute removal in the process.
In summary, the key difference between CRRT and intermittent hemodialysis is the slow removal of solutes and water in CRRT, making choice D the correct answer.