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The son of a dying patient tells the nurse, 'Mother doesn’t respond anymore when I visit. I don’t think she knows that I am here.' Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. You may need to cut back your visits, for now, to avoid overtiring your mother.
- B. Withdrawal may sometimes be a normal response when preparing to leave life.
- C. It will be important for you to stimulate your mother as she gets closer to dying.
- D. Many patients don’t know what is going on around them at the end of life.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because withdrawal is a common psychological response in the dying process. The nurse should explain to the son that his mother's lack of response may be her way of preparing to leave life. This response validates the son's concerns while providing reassurance.
Choice A is incorrect because cutting back visits may not address the underlying issue of the mother's withdrawal. Choice C is incorrect because stimulating the mother may not be beneficial or appropriate in this situation. Choice D is incorrect because not all patients experience a lack of awareness at the end of life, and assuming so may not be helpful in this context.
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A 53-year-old, 80-kg patient is admitted to the cardiac sur gical intensive care unit after cardiac surgery with the following arterial blood gas (ABG ) levels. What is the nurse’s interpretation of these values? pH 7.4 PaCO 40 mm Hg Bicarbonate 24 mEq/L PaO 95 mm Hg O saturation 97% Respirations 20 breaths per minute
- A. Compensated metabolic acidosis
- B. Metabolic alkalosis
- C. Normal ABG values
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct interpretation is C: Normal ABG values.
1. pH is within the normal range of 7.35-7.45.
2. PaCO2 is 40 mm Hg, within the normal range of 35-45 mm Hg.
3. Bicarbonate is 24 mEq/L, within the normal range of 22-26 mEq/L.
4. PaO2 is 95 mm Hg, within the normal range of 80-100 mm Hg.
5. Oxygen saturation is 97%, which is normal.
6. Respirations are also within the normal range at 20 breaths per minute.
Overall, all values fall within the normal range, indicating a well-maintained acid-base balance. Other choices are incorrect because there are no abnormalities that would suggest compensated metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, or respiratory acidosis based on the given ABG values.
A young man has just arrived at the ICU from out of town and received news that his girlfriend, who is admitted there, likely only has a few days left to live. Which of the following would be the best approach for the nurse to take in caring for the needs of this young man?
- A. Recommending that he go home and rest
- B. Giving him unrestricted visiting hours with the patient
- C. Suggesting that he meet with the hospital chaplain
- D. Recommending that he ask the doctor to evaluate the patients pain control measures
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Suggesting that he meet with the hospital chaplain. This approach is best as it addresses the young man's emotional and spiritual needs during a difficult time. The chaplain can provide comfort, support, and guidance in coping with his girlfriend's situation. This option focuses on holistic care and acknowledges the importance of emotional well-being.
A: Recommending that he go home and rest is not the best approach as it dismisses the young man's emotional distress.
B: Giving him unrestricted visiting hours with the patient may not be appropriate as it can be overwhelming and may not address his emotional needs effectively.
D: Recommending that he ask the doctor to evaluate the patient's pain control measures is important but does not directly address the young man's emotional needs in this situation.
The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent with which disorder?
- A. Grave's disease.
- B. Multiple sclerosis.
- C. Addison's disease.
- D. Cushing syndrome.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Symptoms of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping are common in hyperthyroidism.
Step 2: Presence of moist skin, fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and staring expression are classic signs of Grave's disease, a type of hyperthyroidism.
Step 3: Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder where the thyroid gland is overactive, leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones.
Step 4: Excess thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate, causing weight loss, racing heart rate, and insomnia.
Step 5: Therefore, the findings described in the question are consistent with Grave's disease.
The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient following bilateral lung transplantation. When planning the care of this patient, what is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Thirty-degree elevation of head of bed
- B. Endotracheal suctioning as needed
- C. Frequent side to side repositioning
- D. Sequential compression stockings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Thirty-degree elevation of the head of the bed. This is the priority nursing intervention for a mechanically ventilated patient following bilateral lung transplantation because it helps optimize ventilation-perfusion matching, reduces the risk of aspiration, and improves oxygenation. Elevating the head of the bed also decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
B: Endotracheal suctioning as needed is important but not the priority intervention in this case.
C: Frequent side to side repositioning is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not the priority for a ventilated patient post-lung transplant.
D: Sequential compression stockings are used for preventing deep vein thrombosis, which is important but not the priority in this scenario.
A patient at high risk for pulmonary embolism is receiving enoxaparin. The nurse should provide the patient with what explanation?
- A. “I’m going to contact the pharmacist to see if you can take this medication by mouth.”
- B. “This injection is being given to prevent blood clots fr om forming.”
- C. “This medication will dissolve any blood clots you migabhirtb .gcoemt./”te st
- D. “I will contact your primary care provide to discuss wh y you are getting this medication.” t
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: “This injection is being given to prevent blood clots from forming.” Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots. It is administered through injection, not orally (A). Enoxaparin does not dissolve existing blood clots (C). Contacting the primary care provider to discuss the medication is not necessary in this scenario (D). The correct choice emphasizes the purpose of enoxaparin in preventing new blood clots.