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The nurse is assessing a 3-day-old preterm neonate with a diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Which assessment finding indicates that the neonate's respiratory condition is improving?
- A. Edema of the hands and feet
- B. Urine output of 3 mL/kg/hour
- C. Presence of a systolic murmur
- D. Respiratory rate between 60 and 70 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RDS is a serious lung disorder caused by immaturity and the inability to produce surfactant, resulting in hypoxia and acidosis. Lung fluid, which occurs in RDS, moves from the lungs into the bloodstream as the condition improves and the alveoli open. This extra fluid circulates to the kidneys, which results in increased voiding. Therefore, normal urination is an early sign that the neonate's respiratory condition is improving (normal urinary output is 2 to 5 mL/kg/hour). Edema of the hands and feet occurs within the first 24 hours after the development of RDS as a result of low protein concentrations, a decrease in colloidal osmotic pressure, and transudation of fluid from the vascular system to the tissues. Systolic murmurs usually indicate the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus, which is a common complication of RDS. Respiratory rates above 60 are indicative of tachypnea, which is a sign of respiratory distress.
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The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a client being treated for an asthma attack. The nurse determines that the client's respiratory status is worsening based upon which finding?
- A. Loud wheezing
- B. Wheezing on expiration
- C. Noticeably diminished breath sounds
- D. Increased displays of emotional apprehension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Noticeably diminished breath sounds are an indication of severe obstruction and impending respiratory failure. Wheezing is not a reliable manifestation to determine the severity of an asthma attack. Clients with minor attacks may experience loud wheezes, whereas others with severe attacks may not wheeze. The client with severe asthma attacks may have no audible wheezing because of the decrease of airflow. For wheezing to occur, the client must be able to move sufficient air to produce breath sounds. Emotional apprehension is likely whatever the degree of respiratory distress being experienced.
An infant diagnosed with spina bifida cystica (meningomyelocele type) has had the sac surgically removed. The nurse plans which intervention in the postoperative period to maintain the infant's safety?
- A. Covering the back dressing with a binder
- B. Placing the infant in a head-down position
- C. Strapping the infant in a baby seat sitting up
- D. Elevating the head with the infant in the prone position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Spina bifida is a central nervous system defect that results from failure of the neural tube to close during embryonic development. Care of the operative site is carried out under the direction of the surgeon and includes close observation for signs of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The prone position is maintained after surgical closure to decrease the pressure on the surgical site on the back; however, many neurosurgeons allow side-lying or partial side-lying position unless it aggravates a coexisting hip dysplasia or permits undesirable hip flexion. Elevating the head will decrease the chance of cerebrospinal fluid collecting in the cranial cavity.
A client diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome has a prescription to be placed on a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) face mask. What intervention should the nurse implement for this procedure to be beneficial?
- A. Obtain baseline arterial blood gases.
- B. Obtain baseline pulse oximetry levels.
- C. Apply the mask to the face with a snug fit.
- D. Remove the mask for deep breathing exercises.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CPAP face mask must be applied over the nose and mouth with a snug fit, which is necessary to maintain positive pressure in the client's airways. The nurse obtains baseline respiratory assessments and arterial blood gases to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, but these are not done to increase the effectiveness of the procedure. A disadvantage of the CPAP face mask is that the client must remove it for coughing, eating, or drinking. This removes the benefit of positive pressure in the airway each time it is removed.
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of the client after a thoracentesis has been performed. The nurse would become concerned with which assessment finding?
- A. Equal bilateral chest expansion
- B. Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
- C. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
- D. Few scattered wheezes, unchanged from baseline
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After thoracentesis, the nurse assesses vital signs and breath sounds. The nurse especially notes increased respiratory rates, dyspnea, retractions, diminished breath sounds, or cyanosis, which could indicate pneumothorax. Any of these manifestations should be reported to the primary health care provider. Options 1 and 2 are normal findings. Option 4 indicates a finding that is unchanged from the baseline.
A multidisciplinary team working with the spouse of a home care client who has end-stage liver failure is teaching the spouse about pain management. Which statement by the spouse indicates the need for further teaching?
- A. My husband can use breathing exercises to control pain.
- B. I will help prevent constipation with increased fluids.
- C. If the pain increases, I will report it to the nurse promptly.
- D. The medication causes very deep sleep that my husband needs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the client with liver disease, the ability to metabolize medication is affected. A decreased level of consciousness is a potential clinical indicator of medication overdose, as well as fluid, electrolyte, and oxygenation deficiencies; thus, the nurse teaches the client's spouse about the differences between sleep related to pain relief and a deteriorating change in neurological status. Options 1, 2, and 3 all indicate an understanding of suitable steps to be taken in pain management.