The nurse is preparing to assess the respirations of several newborns in the nursery. The nurse performs the procedure and determines that the respiratory rate is normal if which finding is noted?
- A. A respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute in a crying newborn
- B. A respiratory rate of 46 breaths per minute in an awake newborn
- C. A respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute in a sleeping newborn
- D. A respiratory rate of 76 breaths per minute in a newly delivered newborn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate varies from 30 to 50 breaths per minute when the infant is not crying. Respirations should be counted for 1 full minute to ensure an accurate measurement because the newborn infant may be a periodic breather. Observing and palpating respirations while the infant is quiet promotes accurate assessment.
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A client in labor has a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia. Which action will the nurse take to assist in preventing the client from experiencing a sickling crisis during labor?
- A. Being reassuring
- B. Administering oxygen
- C. Preventing bearing down
- D. Maintaining strict asepsis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the labor process, the client with sickle cell anemia is at high risk for being unable to meet the oxygen demands of labor. Administering oxygen will prevent sickle cell crisis during labor. Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy will also reduce the risk of a sickle cell crisis.
The nurse monitors a client prescribed a thiazide diuretic for which clinical manifestations of hypokalemia? Select all that apply.
- A. Muscle twitches
- B. Deep tendon hyporeflexia
- C. Prominent U wave on ECG
- D. General skeletal muscle weakness
- E. Hypoactive to absent bowel sounds
- F. Tall T waves on electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E
Rationale: Hypokalemia is a serum potassium level less than 3.5 mEq/L. Clinical manifestations include ECG abnormalities such as ST depression, inverted T wave, prominent U wave, and heart block. Other manifestations include deep tendon hyporeflexia, general skeletal muscle weakness, decreased bowel motility and hypoactive to absent bowel sounds, shallow ineffective respirations and diminished breath sounds, polyuria, decreased ability to concentrate urine, and decreased urine specific gravity. Tall T waves and muscle twitches are manifestations of hyperkalemia.
The nurse has just finished assisting the primary health care provider in placing a central intravenous (IV) line. Which is a priority intervention to assure the client's safety?
- A. Assessing the client's pain level
- B. Assessing the client's temperature
- C. Preparing the client for a chest x-ray
- D. Monitoring the client's blood pressure (BP)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A major risk associated with central line placement is the possibility of a pneumothorax developing from an accidental puncture of the lung. Assessing the results of a chest radiograph is one of the best methods to determine if this complication has occurred and verify catheter tip placement before initiating IV therapy. A temperature elevation related to central line insertion would not likely occur immediately after placement. Pain management is important but is not the priority at this point. Although BP assessment is always important in assessing a client's status after an invasive procedure, fluid volume overload is not a concern until IV fluids are started.
The home health nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client who has been discharged after an insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Which client statement indicates that an understanding of self-care is evident?
- A. I will never be able to operate a microwave oven again.
- B. I should expect occasional feelings of dizziness and fatigue.
- C. I will take my pulse in the wrist or neck daily and record it in a log.
- D. Moving my arms and shoulders vigorously helps check pacemaker functioning.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with permanent pacemakers must be able to take their pulse in the wrist and/or neck accurately so as to note any variation in the pulse rate or rhythm that may need to be reported to the primary health care provider. Clients can safely operate most appliances and tools, such as microwave ovens, video recorders, AM-FM radios, electric blankets, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers, as long as the devices are grounded and in good repair. If the client experiences any feelings of dizziness, fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat, the primary health care provider is notified. The arms and shoulders should not be moved vigorously for 6 weeks after insertion.
The nurse admitting a client diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) to the coronary care unit (CCU) should plan care by implementing which intervention?
- A. Beginning thrombolytic therapy
- B. Placing the client on continuous cardiac monitoring
- C. Infusing intravenous (IV) fluid at a rate of 150 mL per hour
- D. Administering oxygen at a rate of 6 L per minute by nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard interventions upon admittance to the CCU as they relate to this question include continuous cardiac monitoring. Thrombolytic therapy may or may not be prescribed by the primary health care provider. Thrombolytic agents are most effective if administered within the first 6 hours of the coronary event. The nurse should ensure that there is an adequate IV line insertion of an intermittent lock. If an IV infusion is administered, it is maintained at a keep-vein-open rate to prevent fluid overload and heart failure. Oxygen should be administered at a rate of 2 to 4 L per minute unless otherwise prescribed.