Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who has acute pancreatitis and the mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) is decreasing. Which of the following parameters should the nurse assess to determine the possible cause of the decreased SvO2?
- A. Weight
- B. Amylase
- C. Temperature
- D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated temperature increases metabolic demands and oxygen use by tissues, resulting in a drop in oxygen saturation of mixed venous blood. Information about the patient's weight, urinary output, and amylase will not help in determining the cause of the patient's drop in SvO2.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is preparing to assist with the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter in a patient. Which of the following actions will the nurse implement?
- A. Check cardiac enzymes before insertion.
- B. Auscultate heart sounds during insertion.
- C. Place the patient on NPO status before the procedure.
- D. Attach cardiac monitoring leads before the procedure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysrhythmias can occur as the catheter is floated through the right atrium and ventricle, and it is important for the nurse to monitor for these during insertion. Pulmonary artery catheter insertion does not require anaesthesia, and the patient will not need to be NPO. Changes in cardiac enzymes or heart sounds are not expected during pulmonary artery catheter insertion.
The nurse is caring for a patient who requires medication to increase the contractility of the heart. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering for this patient?
- A. Metoprolol
- B. Procainamide
- C. Secobarbital
- D. Dopamine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, dopamine, dobutamine, digitalis-like drugs, calcium, and milrinone increase contractility. These agents are termed positive inotropes. Contractility is diminished by negative inotropes, such as acidosis and certain drugs (e.g., barbiturates [secobarbital], alcohol, procainamide, calcium channel blockers, β-adrenergic blockers [metoprolol]).
The charge nurse is mentoring a new RN staff member providing care to a patient receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following actions by the new RN indicates the need for more education?
- A. The RN increases the FIO2 up to 100%.
- B. The RN secures a bite block in place using adhesive tape.
- C. The RN positions the patient with the head of bed at 10 degrees.
- D. The RN asks for assistance to turn the patient to the prone position.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The head of the patient's bed should be positioned at 30-45 degrees to prevent ventilator-acquired pneumonia. The other actions by the new RN are appropriate.
Which of the following actions should the nurse implement to verify the correct placement of an endotracheal tube (ET) after insertion?
- A. Auscultate for the presence of bilateral breath sounds.
- B. Obtain a portable chest radiograph to check tube placement.
- C. Observe the chest for symmetrical movement with ventilation.
- D. Use an end-tidal CO2 monitor to check for placement in the trachea.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: End-tidal CO2 monitors are currently recommended for rapid verification of ET placement. Auscultation for bilateral breath sounds and checking chest expansion also are used, but they are not as accurate as end-tidal CO2 monitoring. A chest x-ray confirms the placement but is done after the tube is secured.
While family members are visiting, a patient has a cardiac arrest and is being resuscitated. Which of the following actions by the nurse is best?
- A. Ask family members if they wish to remain in the room during the resuscitation.
- B. Explain to family members that watching the resuscitation will be very stressful.
- C. Assign a staff member to wait with family members just outside the patient room.
- D. Escort family members quickly out of the patient room and then remain with them.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Research indicates that family members want the option of remaining in the room during procedures such as CPR and that this decreases anxiety and facilitates grieving. The other options may be appropriate if the family decides not to remain with the patient.