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The perioperative nurse is writing a care plan for a patient who has returned from surgery 2 hours prior. Which measure should the nurse implement to most decrease the patients risk of developing pulmonary emboli (PE)?
- A. Early ambulation
- B. Increased dietary intake of protein
- C. Maintaining the patient in a supine position
- D. Administering aspirin with warfarin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For patients at risk for PE, the most effective approach for prevention is to prevent deep vein thrombosis. Active leg exercises to avoid venous stasis, early ambulation, and use of elastic compression stockings are general preventive measures. The patient does not require increased dietary intake of protein directly related to prevention of PE, although it will assist in wound healing during the postoperative period. The patient should not be maintained in one position, but frequently repositioned, unless contraindicated by the surgical procedure. Aspirin should never be administered with warfarin because it will increase the patients risk for bleeding.
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The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving oxygen therapy for pneumonia. How should the nurse best assess whether the patient is hypoxemic?
- A. Assess the patients level of consciousness (LOC)
- B. Assess the patients extremities for signs of cyanosis
- C. Assess the patients oxygen saturation level
- D. Review the patients hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The effectiveness of the patients oxygen therapy is assessed by the ABG analysis or pulse oximetry. ABG results may not be readily available. Presence or absence of cyanosis is not an accurate indicator of oxygen effectiveness. The patients LOC may be affected by hypoxia, but not every change in LOC is related to oxygenation. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell levels do not directly reflect current oxygenation status.
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.
A patient in the ICU is status post embolectomy after a pulmonary embolus. What assessment parameter does the nurse monitor most closely on a patient who is postoperative following an embolectomy?
- A. Pupillary response
- B. Pressure in the vena cava
- C. White blood cell differential
- D. Pulmonary arterial pressure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: If the patient has undergone surgical embolectomy, the nurse measures the patients pulmonary arterial pressure and urinary output. Pressure is not monitored in a patients vena cava. White cell levels and pupillary responses would be monitored, but not to the extent of the patients pulmonary arterial pressure.
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 nurse is assessing a patient who has a 35 pack-year history of cigarette smoking. In light of this known risk factor for lung cancer, what statement should prompt the nurse to refer the patient for further assessment?
- A. Lately, I have this cough that just never seems to go away
- B. I find that I dont have nearly the stamina that I used to
- C. I seem to get nearly every cold and flu that goes around my workplace
- D. I never used to have any allergies, but now I think Im developing allergies to dust and pet hair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most frequent symptom of lung cancer is cough or change in a chronic cough. People frequently ignore this symptom and attribute it to smoking or a respiratory infection. A new onset of allergies, frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue are not characteristic early signs of lung cancer.