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The nurse is reviewing the electronic health record of a patient with an empyema. What health problem in the patients history is most likely to have caused the empyema?
- A. Smoking
- B. Asbestosis
- C. Pneumonia
- D. Lung cancer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Most empyemas occur as complications of bacterial pneumonia or lung abscess. Cancer, smoking, and asbestosis are not noted to be common causes.
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The nurse is caring for a patient who has been in a motor vehicle accident and the care team suspects that the patient has developed pleurisy. Which of the nurses assessment findings would best corroborate this diagnosis?
- A. The patient is experiencing painless hemoptysis
- B. The patients arterial blood gases (ABGs) are normal, but he demonstrates increased work of breathing
- C. The patients oxygen saturation level is below 88%, but he denies shortness of breath
- D. The patients pain intensifies when he coughs or takes a deep breath
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The key characteristic of pleuritic pain is its relationship to respiratory movement. Taking a deep breath, coughing, or sneezing worsens the pain. The patients ABGs would most likely be abnormal and shortness of breath would be expected.
The nurse is caring for a patient suspected of having ARDS. What is the most likely diagnostic test ordered in the early stages of this disease to differentiate the patients symptoms from those of a cardiac etiology?
- A. Carboxyhemoglobin level
- B. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
- C. C-reactive protein (CRP) level
- D. Complete blood count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Common diagnostic tests performed for patients with potential ARDS include plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, echocardiography, and pulmonary artery catheterization. The BNP level is helpful in distinguishing ARDS from cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The carboxyhemoglobin level will be increased in a client with an inhalation injury, which commonly progresses into ARDS. CRP and CBC levels do not help differentiate from a cardiac problem.
The public health nurse is administering Mantoux tests to children who are being registered for kindergarten in the community. How should the nurse administer this test?
- A. Administer intradermal injections into the childrens inner forearms
- B. Administer intramuscular injections into each childs vastus lateralis
- C. Administer a subcutaneous injection into each childs umbilical area
- D. Administer a subcutaneous injection at a 45-degree angle into each childs deltoid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The purified protein derivative (PPD) is always injected into the intradermal layer of the inner aspect of the forearm. The subcutaneous and intramuscular routes are not utilized.
An x-ray of a trauma patient reveals rib fractures and the patient is diagnosed with a small flail chest injury. Which intervention should the nurse include in the patients plan of care?
- A. Suction the patients airway secretions
- B. Immobilize the ribs with an abdominal binder
- C. Prepare the patient for surgery
- D. Immediately sedate and intubate the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: As with rib fracture, treatment of flail chest is usually supportive. Management includes clearing secretions from the lungs, and controlling pain. If only a small segment of the chest is involved, it is important to clear the airway through positioning, coughing, deep breathing, and suctioning. Intubation is required for severe flail chest injuries, and surgery is required only in rare circumstances to stabilize the flail segment.
The home care nurse is monitoring a patient discharged home after resolution of a pulmonary embolus. For what potential complication would the home care nurse be most closely monitoring this patient?
- A. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary infection
- B. Swallowing ability and signs of aspiration
- C. Activity level and role performance
- D. Residual effects of compromised oxygenation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The home care nurse should monitor the patient for residual effects of the PE, which involved a severe disruption in respiration and oxygenation. PE has a noninfectious etiology; pneumonia is not impossible, but it is a less likely sequela. Swallowing ability is unlikely to be affected; activity level is important, but secondary to the effects of deoxygenation.