The nurse is caring for a patient who has a right-sided chest tube after a right lower lobectomy. Which nursing action can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
- A. Document the amount of drainage every eight hours
- B. Obtain samples of drainage for culture from the system
- C. Assess patient pain level associated with the chest tube
- D. Check the water-seal chamber for the correct fluid level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to document the amount of drainage every eight hours. UAP education typically includes tasks related to documentation of intake and output. Obtaining samples of drainage for culture and assessing patient pain level are nursing responsibilities that require licensed nursing personnel's education and scope of practice. Checking the water-seal chamber for the correct fluid level also falls under the nursing role, as it involves monitoring and maintaining the chest tube system, which requires nursing knowledge and training.
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An experienced healthcare professional instructs a new colleague on caring for a patient with dyspnea due to a pulmonary fungal infection. Which action by the new colleague indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. Listening to the patient's lung sounds several times during the shift
- B. Placing the patient in droplet precautions and in a private hospital room
- C. Increasing the oxygen flow rate to maintain oxygen saturation above 90%
- D. Monitoring the patient's serology results to identify the specific infecting organism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is placing the patient in droplet precautions and in a private hospital room. Fungal infections are not transmitted from person to person, so isolation procedures like droplet precautions are unnecessary. Listening to the patient's lung sounds, increasing the oxygen flow rate, and monitoring serology results are all appropriate actions in caring for a patient with dyspnea caused by a pulmonary fungal infection.
A patient has suddenly developed shortness of breath and appears to be in significant respiratory distress. After calling the physician and placing the patient on oxygen, which of these actions is the best for the nurse to take when further assessing the patient?
- A. Count the patient's respirations.
- B. Bilaterally percuss the thorax, noting any differences in percussion tones.
- C. Call for a chest x-ray and wait for the results before beginning an assessment.
- D. Inspect the thorax for any new masses and bleeding associated with respirations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a situation where a patient is in significant respiratory distress, bilaterally percussing the thorax to note any differences in percussion tones is a crucial nursing intervention. Percussion provides instant feedback regarding changes in underlying tissue density, which can give important clues about the patient's physical status. This hands-on assessment technique is readily available and can be performed promptly. Counting the patient's respirations, while important, may not provide as much detailed information as percussion. Ordering a chest x-ray and waiting for the results can cause a delay in assessing and addressing the patient's immediate needs. Inspecting the thorax for new masses and bleeding, although relevant, may not offer as much real-time information about the patient's condition compared to percussion.
During a class on religion and spirituality, the nurse is asked to define spirituality. Which statement by the nurse best describes spirituality?
- A. "Is a personal search to discover a supreme being."?
- B. "Is an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe."?
- C. "Is a belief that each person exists forever in some form, such as a belief in reincarnation or the afterlife."?
- D. "Focuses on a connection with something bigger than oneself and a belief in transcendence."?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Spirituality is a broad term that focuses on a connection with something greater than oneself and a belief in transcendence. It is a personal journey that arises from unique life experiences and the individual's quest to find purpose and meaning in life. The correct answer emphasizes the essence of spirituality, which involves seeking a connection with a higher power and believing in transcendence. Choices A, B, and C, on the other hand, define aspects of religion rather than spirituality. Choice A refers to a personal search for a supreme being, which is more aligned with religious beliefs. Choice B describes an organized system of beliefs about the universe, typically associated with religion. Choice C pertains to beliefs about existence after death, such as reincarnation or the afterlife, which are often religious concepts. Therefore, the best description of spirituality is focusing on a connection with something beyond oneself and a belief in transcendence.
Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling when assessing a patient?
- A. Palpation
- B. Inspection
- C. Percussion
- D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Palpation. Palpation involves using the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling in a patient. This technique allows the nurse to feel for abnormalities and changes in the patient's tissues. Inspection primarily relies on visual assessment, while percussion involves tapping on the body to produce sounds and assess underlying structures. Auscultation, on the other hand, involves listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope. Therefore, in the context of assessing texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling, palpation is the most appropriate technique.
During a class on cultural practices, the nurse hears the term cultural taboo. Which statement illustrates the concept of a cultural taboo?
- A. Trying prayer before seeking medical help
- B. Believing that illness is a punishment of sin
- C. Refusing to accept blood products as part of treatment
- D. Stating that a child's birth defect is the result of the parents' sins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The concept of a cultural taboo involves practices that are forbidden or avoided within a particular culture. Refusing to accept blood products as part of treatment is a clear example of a cultural taboo, as some cultures or religions prohibit the use of blood products for medical purposes. This practice is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and traditions. The other choices provided do not directly relate to cultural taboos. Trying prayer before seeking medical help, believing illness is a punishment of sin, and stating that a child's birth defect is the result of parents' sins are beliefs or actions based on religious or personal beliefs, but they do not specifically represent cultural taboos.