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The nurse is providing health education on the body's ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through the alveolar capillary membrane. Which statement, provided by the nurse, is most correct when asked about diffusion during inspiration?
- A. During inspiration, the concentration of oxygen is equal in both the alveoli and the capillaries.
- B. During inspiration, oxygen diffuses from the arterial system through to the alveolar capillary membrane.
- C. During inspiration, carbon dioxide provides the basis for all diffusion gradients.
- D. During inspiration, oxygen is greater in the alveoli than in the capillaries.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: During inspiration, oxygen-rich air from the environment enters the pulmonary system. During inspiration, the concentration of inspired oxygen is higher in the alveoli than in the capillaries, causing diffusion from the alveoli to the capillaries. Thus, the concentration of oxygen is not equal in the alveoli and capillaries. There is no diffusion from the arterial system after the oxygen diffuses from the alveoli to the capillaries. Carbon dioxide does not provide the basis for all diffusion gradients.
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The nurse is caring for a client who states, 'I am really worried about the thoracentesis. I know I won't be able to sleep tonight.' Which statement is most helpful to the client at this time?
- A. Tell me what you are worried about.'
- B. Is there something that I can help you with?'
- C. Is there someone that you would like me to call to be with you?'
- D. The physician will see you before the procedure and can answer any questions.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A thoracentesis is performed by inserting a needle into the wall under local anesthesia. The thoracentesis is often done at the bedside. Providing support to the client before, during, and after the treatment is a nursing responsibility. When the client expresses being worried, asking an open-ended question promotes communication and is most therapeutic. Asking if there is something that a nurse can do is a closed-ended question. Asking about calling someone to be with the client makes the nurse seem uninterested. Talking with the physician closes communication with the nurse, making the nurse seem uninterested.
A client presents to the emergency department in respiratory compromise. The client's temperature is 102.4?°F, heart rate 88 beats/minute and regular, and blood pressure 138/76 mm Hg. The client is dyspneic, pale, and expectorating green-tinged sputum. The physician orders medications including antibiotics, antipyretics, nebulizer treatments, and IV fluids. A chest x-ray and sputum culture are to be completed. Which physician order would the nurse complete before beginning antibiotic therapy?
- A. Chest x-ray
- B. Sputum culture
- C. Nebulizer treatments
- D. Initiating IV fluids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse would obtain a sputum culture for sensitivity before beginning antibiotic therapy. Obtaining a sputum culture after beginning antibiotics can skew results. Once the sputum culture results are returned, the antibiotic can be closely aligned to kill the organism, if present. The other orders can be prioritized according to client needs.
The nurse is caring for an adolescent client injured in a snowboarding accident. The client has a head injury, a fractured right rib, and various abrasions and contusions. The client has a blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg, pulse of 102 beats/minute, and respirations of 26 breaths/minute. Which laboratory test best provides data on a potential impairment in ventilation?
- A. Blood gases
- B. Complete blood count
- C. Blood chemistry
- D. Serum alkaline phosphate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood gases report the partial pressure of oxygen, which is dissolved in the blood. Normal readings are 80 to 100 mm Hg. By documenting oxygen levels in the blood, the nurse recognizes the current ventilation. The complete blood count provides information regarding number of blood cells, which can relate to the disease processes such as anemia and infection. The blood chemistry provides information on liver/renal function and electrolytes within the system. Serum alkaline phosphate is a laboratory test used to help detect liver disease and bone disorders.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client who has a history of a respiratory infection. Which documentation, completed by the nurse, indicates improvement in an area of the lung affected by the infection?
- A. Lung fields documented as clear.
- B. Palpable vibrations over the chest wall when the client speaks.
- C. Decreased fremitus when the client feels the vibration in their chest.
- D. Dull sounds percussed over the lung tissue.
- E. Bronchial sounds heard only in the affected area.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To determine if the client's respiratory infection has resolved, the nurse should assess the client's normal respiratory status. Lungs will return to clear breath sounds. Palpable vibrations will be felt ,as they may be normal if there is no infection in the lungs. A client with consolidation of a lobe of the lung from pneumonia has increased tactile fremitus over that lobe. A decreased fremitus would indicate resolution of infection. Bronchial sounds will be noted over the upper lung fields. An increased fremitus is noted as the client speaks '99.' Dull percussed sounds indicate an area of consolidation or infection.
The nurse working in the radiology clinic is assisting with a pulmonary angiography. The nurse knows that when monitoring clients after a pulmonary angiography, what should the physician be notified about?
- A. Raised temperature in the affected limb
- B. Excessive capillary refill
- C. Absent distal pulses
- D. Flushed feeling in the client
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When monitoring clients after a pulmonary angiography, nurses must notify the physician about diminished or absent distal pulses, cool skin temperature in the affected limb, and poor capillary refill. Absent distal pulses may indicate damage to the artery or a clot. When the contrast medium is infused, the client will sense a warm, flushed feeling.