A nurse is caring for a patient in the final stages of dying. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- A. Encourage the patient to eat to maintain strength.
- B. Provide emotional support and comfort measures.
- C. Perform frequent assessments to monitor for recovery signs.
- D. Implement aggressive interventions to prolong life.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide emotional support and comfort measures. In the final stages of dying, the focus shifts from curative treatment to providing comfort and dignity. Emotional support helps alleviate anxiety and fear, promoting a peaceful transition. Comfort measures like pain management improve quality of life. Encouraging the patient to eat may be futile as the body shuts down. Performing frequent assessments for recovery signs is not appropriate in this situation. Implementing aggressive interventions could go against the patient's wishes for a natural death.
You may also like to solve these questions
Peritoneal dialysis is different from hemodialysis in that peritoneal dialysis
- A. is more frequently used for acute kidney injury.
- B. uses the patient’s own semipermeable membrane (peritoneal membrane).
- C. is not useful in cases of drug overdose or electrolyte imbalance.
- D. is not indicated in cases of water intoxication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because peritoneal dialysis utilizes the patient's own semipermeable membrane, the peritoneal membrane, as the filtration surface. This allows for the exchange of waste products and excess fluids without the need for external dialysis equipment. Choice A is incorrect as peritoneal dialysis can be used for both acute and chronic kidney injury. Choice C is incorrect as peritoneal dialysis can help manage drug overdose and electrolyte imbalances. Choice D is incorrect as peritoneal dialysis can be used in cases of water intoxication to help remove excess fluids.
A nurse has achieved certification in critical care nursing. What is the most important effect that this certification will have on the nurses practice?
- A. Recognition by peers
- B. Increase in salary and rank
- C. More flexibility in seeking employment
- D. Increased confidence in critical thinking
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Increased confidence in critical thinking. Achieving certification in critical care nursing validates the nurse's expertise and knowledge in this specialized area, leading to increased confidence in their ability to critically think through complex patient situations. This confidence translates into improved clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
A: Recognition by peers - While recognition by peers is important for professional growth, the primary benefit of certification is enhancing clinical skills.
B: Increase in salary and rank - While certification may lead to salary increases in some cases, the most significant impact is on improving clinical skills.
C: More flexibility in seeking employment - While certification may enhance employability, the focus is on improving critical thinking skills rather than employment opportunities.
Which patient should the nurse refer for hospice care?
- A. A 60-year-old with lymphoma whose children are unable to discuss issues related to dying.
- B. A 72-year-old with chronic severe pain due to spinal arthritis and vertebral collapse.
- C. A 28-year-old with AIDS-related dementia who needs palliative care and pain management.
- D. A 56-year-old with advanced liver failure whose family members can no longer provide care in the home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient with AIDS-related dementia requires palliative care and pain management, which are key components of hospice care. This patient is likely in the terminal stage of their illness and would benefit from the comprehensive support provided by hospice services.
Choice A is incorrect because the patient's children's inability to discuss dying issues does not necessarily indicate a need for hospice care. Choice B is incorrect as chronic severe pain due to spinal arthritis is not a sole criterion for hospice referral. Choice D is incorrect as advanced liver failure alone does not automatically qualify a patient for hospice care.
The nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with acute respiratory failure identifies “Risk for Ineffective Airway Clearance” as a nursing diagnosis. Wh at nursing intervention is relevant to this diagnosis?
- A. Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees.
- B. Obtain order for venous thromboembolism prophylaxi s.
- C. Provide adequate sedation.
- D. Reposition patient every 2 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees. Elevating the head of the bed helps promote optimal airway clearance by facilitating drainage of secretions and reducing the risk of aspiration. This position also improves lung expansion and oxygenation. Choice B is important for preventing venous thromboembolism but not directly related to airway clearance. Choice C may not be appropriate as excessive sedation can impair airway clearance. Choice D is important for preventing pressure ulcers but does not directly address airway clearance.
What is the basic underlying pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome?
- A. A decrease in the number of white blood cells availabl e.
- B. Damage to the right mainstem bronchus.
- C. Damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce suarbfiarbc.tcaomnt/t.e st
- D. Decreased capillary permeability.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce surfactant. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by damage to the alveolar epithelium, including type II pneumocytes responsible for producing surfactant. Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse. Damage to type II pneumocytes impairs surfactant production, leading to alveolar collapse and impaired gas exchange. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ARDS is not primarily caused by a decrease in white blood cells, damage to the right mainstem bronchus, or decreased capillary permeability.