The nurse suspects that an air embolism has occurred when the client's central venous catheter disconnects from the intravenous (IV) tubing. The nurse immediately places the client on her or his left side in which position?
- A. High Fowler's
- B. Trendelenburg's
- C. Lateral recumbent
- D. Reverse Trendelenburg's
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If the client develops an air embolism, the immediate action is to place the client in Trendelenburg's position on the left side. This position raises the client's feet higher than the head and traps any air in the right atrium. If necessary, the air can then be directly removed by intracardiac aspiration.
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A client is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. The nurse should plan interventions to address which manifestations of this disorder? Select all that apply.
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Hypertension
- C. Poor skin turgor
- D. Increased urinary output
- E. Dry mucous membranes
- F. Decreased pulse pressure
Correct Answer: C,D,E,F
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is a water metabolism problem caused by an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) deficiency (either a decrease in ADH synthesis or an inability of the kidneys to respond to ADH). Clinical manifestations include poor skin turgor, increased urinary output, dry mucous membranes, decreased pulse pressure, tachycardia, hypotension, weak peripheral pulses, and increased thirst.
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition and has a prescription for an intravenous intralipid infusion. What intervention should the nurse implement before hanging the intralipid infusion?
- A. Refrigerate the bottle of solution.
- B. Add 100 mL normal saline to the infusion bottle.
- C. Place an in-line filter on the administration tubing.
- D. Check the solution for separation or an oily residue.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Intralipids provide nonprotein calories and prevent or correct fatty acid deficiency. The nurse checks the solution for separation or an oily appearance because this can indicate a spoiled or contaminated solution. Refrigeration renders the intralipid solution too thick to administer. Because they can affect the stability of the solution, the nurse avoids injecting additives into the intralipid infusion. Furthermore, an in-line filter is not used because it can disrupt the flow of solution by becoming clogged.
The nurse is caring for a client with a terminal condition who is dying. Which respiratory assessment findings should indicate to the nurse that death is imminent? Select all that apply.
- A. Dyspnea
- B. Cyanosis
- C. Tachypnea
- D. Kussmaul's respiration
- E. Irregular respiratory pattern
- F. Adventitious bubbling lung sounds
Correct Answer: A,B,E,F
Rationale: Respiratory assessment findings that indicate death is imminent include poor gas exchange as evidenced by hypoxia, dyspnea, or cyanosis; altered patterns of respiration, such as slow, labored, irregular, or Cheyne-Stokes pattern (alternating periods of apnea and deep, rapid breathing); increased respiratory secretions and adventitious bubbling lung sounds (death rattle); and irritation of the tracheobronchial airway as evidenced by hiccups, chest pain, fatigue, or exhaustion. Kussmaul's respirations are abnormally deep, very rapid sighing respirations characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis. Tachypnea is defined as rapid breathing.
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving tacrolimus daily. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. Hypotension
- B. Photophobia
- C. Profuse sweating
- D. Decrease in urine output
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant medication used in the prophylaxis of organ rejection in clients receiving allogenic liver transplants. Adverse reactions and toxic effects include nephrotoxicity and pleural effusion. Nephrotoxicity is characterized by an increasing serum creatinine level and a decrease in urine output. Frequent side effects include headache, tremor, insomnia, paresthesia, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hypertension. None of the other options are associated with an adverse reaction to this medication.
The nurse is caring for a newly delivered breast-feeding infant. Which intervention performed by the nurse would best prevent jaundice in this infant?
- A. Placing the infant under phototherapy
- B. Keeping the infant NPO until the second period of reactivity
- C. Encouraging the mother to breast-feed the infant every 2 to 3 hours
- D. Encouraging the mother to supplement breast-feeding with formula
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To help prevent jaundice, the mother should feed the infant frequently in the immediate birth period because colostrum is a natural laxative and helps promote the passage of meconium. Breast-feeding should begin as soon as possible after birth while the infant is in the first period of reactivity.