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The nurse notes thick, white secretions in the endotracheal tube (ET) of a patient who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which intervention will be most effective in addressing this problem?
- A. Increase suctioning to every hour.
- B. Reposition the patient every 1 to 2 hours.
- C. Add additional water to the patient’s enteral feedings.
- D. Instill 5 mL of sterile saline into the ET before suctioning.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Instill 5 mL of sterile saline into the ET before suctioning. This intervention helps to loosen and mobilize the thick secretions, making them easier to remove during suctioning. It is important to moisten the secretions to prevent mucosal damage and trauma during suctioning.
A: Increasing suctioning frequency can lead to mucosal damage and increased risk of infection.
B: Repositioning helps with ventilation and preventing pressure injuries, but it does not directly address the thick secretions.
C: Adding water to enteral feedings will not directly address the thick secretions in the ET.
In summary, instilling sterile saline into the ET before suctioning is the most effective intervention as it helps to loosen and mobilize thick secretions, making suctioning more effective and reducing the risk of mucosal damage.
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The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient following bilateral lung transplantation. When planning the care of this patient, what is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Thirty-degree elevation of head of bed
- B. Endotracheal suctioning as needed
- C. Frequent side to side repositioning
- D. Sequential compression stockings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Thirty-degree elevation of the head of the bed. This is the priority nursing intervention for a mechanically ventilated patient following bilateral lung transplantation because it helps optimize ventilation-perfusion matching, reduces the risk of aspiration, and improves oxygenation. Elevating the head of the bed also decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
B: Endotracheal suctioning as needed is important but not the priority intervention in this case.
C: Frequent side to side repositioning is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not the priority for a ventilated patient post-lung transplant.
D: Sequential compression stockings are used for preventing deep vein thrombosis, which is important but not the priority in this scenario.
A young man has just arrived at the ICU from out of town and received news that his girlfriend, who is admitted there, likely only has a few days left to live. Which of the following would be the best approach for the nurse to take in caring for the needs of this young man?
- A. Recommending that he go home and rest
- B. Giving him unrestricted visiting hours with the patient
- C. Suggesting that he meet with the hospital chaplain
- D. Recommending that he ask the doctor to evaluate the patients pain control measures
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Suggesting that he meet with the hospital chaplain. This approach is best as it addresses the young man's emotional and spiritual needs during a difficult time. The chaplain can provide comfort, support, and guidance in coping with his girlfriend's situation. This option focuses on holistic care and acknowledges the importance of emotional well-being.
A: Recommending that he go home and rest is not the best approach as it dismisses the young man's emotional distress.
B: Giving him unrestricted visiting hours with the patient may not be appropriate as it can be overwhelming and may not address his emotional needs effectively.
D: Recommending that he ask the doctor to evaluate the patient's pain control measures is important but does not directly address the young man's emotional needs in this situation.
The critical care nurse is responsible for monitoring the patient receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In doing so, the nurse should
- A. assess that the blood tubing is warm to the touch.
- B. assess the hemofilter every 6 hours for clotting.
- C. cover the dialysis lines to protect them from light.
- D. use clean technique during vascular access dressing changes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing the hemofilter every 6 hours for clotting is essential in ensuring the effectiveness of CRRT. Clotting can obstruct blood flow, leading to treatment inefficiency and potential harm to the patient. This step helps the nurse to promptly address any clotting issues and prevent complications.
A: Assessing that the blood tubing is warm to the touch is not a standard practice for monitoring CRRT and does not provide relevant information about the treatment's effectiveness.
C: Covering the dialysis lines to protect them from light is not a priority in monitoring CRRT. Light exposure is not a common concern in this context.
D: Using clean technique during vascular access dressing changes is important for infection prevention but is not directly related to monitoring the effectiveness of CRRT.
What is true regarding pain and anxiety in the healthy individual? (Select all that apply.)
- A. They activate the sympathetic nervous system.
- B. They decrease stress levels.
- C. They help remove one from harm.
- D. They increase performance levels.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because pain and anxiety trigger the sympathetic nervous system's fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones to prepare the body for potential danger. This physiological response helps the individual respond to perceived threats. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because pain and anxiety typically increase stress levels, do not necessarily remove one from harm, and can hinder rather than enhance performance due to distraction and decreased focus.
A critical care unit has decided to implement several measures designed to improve intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to an expected improvement in patient outcomes, what is the most important effect that should resultf rom these measures?
- A. Identification of incompetent practitioners
- B. Improvement in manners on the unit
- C. Increased staff retention
- D. Less discussion in front of patients and families
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
- Improved collaboration enhances job satisfaction and reduces burnout, leading to increased staff retention.
- Higher staff retention promotes continuity of care, improves team dynamics, and enhances patient outcomes.
Summary:
- A: Not directly related to collaboration, more about performance evaluation.
- B: Manners may improve, but not the most important effect of collaboration.
- D: Collaboration involves open communication, so less discussion in front of patients is not a positive outcome.