The nurse is caring for a patient with an arterial monitoring system. The nurse assesses the patient’s noninvasive cuff blood pressure to be 70/40 mm Hg. The arterial blood pressure measurement via an intraarterial catheter in the same arm is assessed by the nurse to be 108/70 mm Hg. What is the best action by the nurse?
- A. Activate the rapid response system.
- B. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position.
- C. Assess the cuff for proper arm size.
- D. Administer 0.9% normal saline bolus.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C - Assess the cuff for proper arm size):
1. The cuff blood pressure (70/40 mm Hg) is significantly lower than the arterial blood pressure (108/70 mm Hg).
2. Discrepancy suggests cuff size mismatch, leading to inaccurate readings.
3. Assessing cuff size ensures accurate blood pressure measurement.
4. Ensures appropriate interventions based on accurate readings.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Rapid response not warranted based solely on blood pressure discrepancy.
B: Trendelenburg position not indicated for cuff size issue.
D: Normal saline bolus not appropriate without accurate blood pressure measurement.
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The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice uses what framework to guide critical care nursing practice?
- A. Evidence-based practice
- B. Healthy work environment
- C. National Patient Safety Goals
- D. Nursing process
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Evidence-based practice. The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice emphasize the use of evidence-based practice to guide critical care nursing. This framework ensures that nursing interventions are based on the best available evidence, leading to improved patient outcomes. Healthy work environment (B) and National Patient Safety Goals (C) are important but not specific frameworks for critical care nursing. The nursing process (D) is a systematic approach to delivering patient care but is not the primary guiding framework in critical care nursing practice.
A nurse needs to communicate with a patients family regarding consent to treat an unconscious patient in the ICU. Which member of the group should the nurse approach first?
- A. A man she recognizes as the patients brother
- B. A teenage boy who approaches the nurse
- C. A woman who originally escorted the patient in
- D. A woman in the group whom the others look at and call over when the nurse approaches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: A woman who originally escorted the patient in. This choice is correct because she is most likely the person responsible for the patient's care and thus likely has legal authority to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient. The other choices are incorrect because simply being recognized as the patient's brother (A), being a teenage boy who approaches the nurse (B), or being a woman whom the others look at and call over (D) does not necessarily indicate that they have the legal authority to make medical decisions for the unconscious patient.
Which of the following situations may result in a low cardiac output and low cardiac index? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Exercise
- B. Hypovolemia
- C. Myocardial infarction
- D. Shock
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certainly. Hypovolemia, or low blood volume, can lead to low cardiac output and cardiac index because the heart has less blood to pump, resulting in reduced circulation. Exercise typically increases cardiac output to meet increased demand. Myocardial infarction may reduce cardiac output temporarily, but not consistently. Shock, a condition where the body's tissues do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, can lead to low cardiac output, making it a possible cause.
Critical illness often results in family conflicts. Which scenario is most likely to result in the greatest conflict?
- A. A 21-year-old college student of divorced parents hosp italized with multiple trauma. She resides with her mother. The parents are amicable with each other and have similar values. The father blames the daughter’s b oyfriend for causing the accident.
- B. A 36-year-old male admitted for a ruptured cerebral an eurysm. He has been living with his 34-year-old girlfriend for 8 years, and they have a 4-year-old daughter. He does not have written advance directives. His parents aarbriribv.ceo mfr/otemst out-of-state and are asked to make decisions about his health care. He h as not seen them in over a year.
- C. A 58-year-old male admitted for coronary artery bypas s surgery. He has been living with his same-sex partner for 20 years in a committed relationship. He has designated his sister, a registered nurse, as his healthca re proxy in a written advance directive.
- D. A 78-year-old female admitted with gastrointestinal blaebeirdbi.cnogm./ tHeset r hemoglobin is decreasing to a critical level. She is a Jehovah’s Witness and refuses the treatment of a blood transfusion. She is capable of making her ow n decisions and has a clearly written advance directive declining any transfu sions. Her son is upset with her and tells her she is “committing suicide.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it involves a conflict between the patient's autonomy and her son's beliefs. The patient, a Jehovah's Witness, has clearly stated her refusal of a blood transfusion in her advance directive, which aligns with her religious beliefs. Her son's disagreement with her decision creates a significant ethical dilemma and conflict. This scenario highlights the clash between respecting the patient's autonomy and the son's concerns for her well-being.
Choice A is less likely to result in the greatest conflict as both parents have similar values and are amicable, with the conflict being directed towards the daughter's boyfriend.
Choice B involves a conflict between the patient's girlfriend and parents, but the patient's lack of advance directives and estranged relationship with his parents do not present as significant a conflict as in the correct answer.
Choice C involves a designated healthcare proxy and a committed relationship, which are less likely to result in a conflict as compared to the clash of beliefs and autonomy seen in Choice D.
The nurse plans a teaching session with a client but postpones the planned session based on which nursing problem?
- A. Knowledge deficit regarding impending surgery.
- B. Ineffective management of treatment regimen.
- C. Activity intolerance related to postoperative pain.
- D. Noncompliance with prescribed exercise plan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choice C:
1. Activity intolerance is a priority nursing problem postoperatively due to pain.
2. Postoperative pain can limit the client's ability to perform activities.
3. Addressing activity intolerance is crucial for promoting recovery and preventing complications.
4. Delaying the teaching session helps the nurse focus on managing pain first.
Summary of why other choices are incorrect:
- Choice A: Knowledge deficit can be addressed after managing immediate postoperative issues.
- Choice B: Treatment regimen management is important but may not be as urgent as addressing activity intolerance related to pain.
- Choice D: Noncompliance with exercise plan can be addressed once the client's pain and activity intolerance are under control.