The nurse is preparing to discharge a patient after thoracotomy. The patient is going home on oxygen therapy and requires wound care. As a result, he will receive home care nursing. What should the nurse include in discharge teaching for this patient?
- A. Safe technique for self-suctioning of secretions
- B. Technique for performing postural drainage
- C. Correct and safe use of oxygen therapy equipment
- D. How to provide safe and effective tracheostomy care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory care and other treatment modalities (oxygen, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy [CPT], and oral, inhaled, or IV medications) may be continued at home. Therefore, the nurse needs to instruct the patient and family in their correct and safe use. The scenario does not indicate the patient needs help with suctioning, postural drainage, or tracheostomy care.
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The medical nurse is creating the care plan of an adult patient requiring mechanical ventilation. What nursing action is most appropriate?
- A. Keep the patient in a low Fowlers position
- B. Perform tracheostomy care at least once per day
- C. Maintain continuous bedrest
- D. Monitor cuff pressure every 8 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The cuff pressure should be monitored every 8 hours. It is important to perform tracheostomy care at least every 8 hours because of the risk of infection. The patient should be encouraged to ambulate, if possible, and a low Fowlers position is not indicated.
The nurse is preparing to suction a patient with an endotracheal tube. What should be the nurses first step in the suctioning process?
- A. Explain the suctioning procedure to the patient and reposition the patient
- B. Turn on suction source at a pressure not exceeding 120 mm Hg
- C. Assess the patients lung sounds and SAO2 via pulse oximeter
- D. Perform hand hygiene and don nonsterile gloves, goggles, gown, and mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment data indicate the need for suctioning and allow the nurse to monitor the effect of suction on the patients level of oxygenation. Explaining the procedure would be the second step; performing hand hygiene is the third step, and turning on the suction source is the fourth step.
A nurse educator is reviewing the indications for chest drainage systems with a group of medical nurses. What indications should the nurses identify? Select all that apply.
- A. Post thoracotomy
- B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
- C. Need for postural drainage
- D. Chest trauma resulting in pneumothorax
- E. Pleurisy
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: Chest drainage systems are used in treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and trauma resulting in pneumothorax. Postural drainage and pleurisy are not criteria for use of a chest drainage system.
Postural drainage has been ordered for a patient who is having difficulty mobilizing her bronchial secretions. Before repositioning the patient and beginning treatment, the nurse should perform what health assessment?
- A. Chest auscultation
- B. Pulmonary function testing
- C. Chest percussion
- D. Thoracic palpation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chest auscultation should be performed before and after postural drainage in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. Percussion and palpation are less likely to provide clinically meaningful data for the nurse. PFTs are normally beyond the scope of the nurse and are not necessary immediately before postural drainage.
The critical care nurse and the other members of the care team are assessing the patient to see if he is ready to be weaned from the ventilator. What are the most important predictors of successful weaning that the nurse should identify?
- A. Stable vital signs and ABGs
- B. Pulse oximetry above 80% and stable vital signs
- C. Stable nutritional status and ABGs
- D. Normal orientation and level of consciousness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Among many other predictors, stable vital signs and ABGs are important predictors of successful weaning. Pulse oximetry must greatly exceed 80%. Nutritional status is important, but vital signs and ABGs are even more significant. Patients who are weaned may or may not have full level of consciousness.
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