What is the primary mode of action of a neuromuscular bl ocking agent?
- A. Analgesia
- B. Anticonvulsant
- C. Paralysis
- D. Sedation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paralysis. Neuromuscular blocking agents work by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis. This paralysis helps facilitate intubation, surgical procedures, and mechanical ventilation.
A: Analgesia - Neuromuscular blocking agents do not provide pain relief; they primarily induce muscle paralysis without affecting pain sensation.
B: Anticonvulsant - Neuromuscular blocking agents do not prevent or treat seizures; their mechanism of action is not related to controlling convulsions.
D: Sedation - Neuromuscular blocking agents do not induce sedation; they specifically target the neuromuscular junction to cause muscle paralysis.
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A patient in a critical care unit has increased stress from the constant noise and light levels. What nursing intervention best attenuates these sources of stress?
- A. Need for constant observation and evaluation
- B. Dimming lights during the night
- C. Frequent nursing group rounds for all patients
- D. Use of tile floors for ease in cleaning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dimming lights during the night. This intervention helps reduce stress by creating a more calming environment, promoting rest and sleep. Constant observation (choice A) may increase stress due to lack of privacy. Frequent group rounds (choice C) may disrupt rest. Use of tile floors (choice D) is unrelated to addressing noise and light stress.
The patient is diagnosed with acute kidney injury and has been getting dialysis 3 days per week. The patient complains of general malaise and is tachypneic. An arterial blood gas shows that the patient’s pH is 7.19, with a PCO of 30 mm Hg and a bicarbonate level of 13 mEq/L. The nurse prepares to
- A. administer morphine to slow the respiratory rate.
- B. prepare for intubation and mechanical ventilation.
- C. administer intravenous sodium bicarbonate.
- D. cancel tomorrow’s dialysis session.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: administer intravenous sodium bicarbonate. In this case, the patient has metabolic acidosis with a low pH and low bicarbonate levels. Administering sodium bicarbonate can help correct the acidosis by increasing the bicarbonate levels and improving the pH. This treatment is essential to address the underlying metabolic imbalance.
Choice A is incorrect because administering morphine would not address the root cause of the acidosis and could potentially worsen the respiratory status. Choice B is incorrect as intubation and mechanical ventilation are not indicated solely based on the acid-base imbalance. Choice D is also incorrect as canceling the dialysis session would not address the metabolic acidosis and could potentially worsen the patient's condition.
A 65-year-old patient admitted to the progressive care unit with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia, has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. A set of arterial blood gases obtained on admissiaobnir bw.coitmh/oteustt supplemental oxygen shows pH 7.35; PaCO 55 mm Hg; bicarbonate 30 mEq/L ; PaO 65 mm Hg. These blood 2 2 gases reflect what condition?
- A. Hypoxemia and compensated metabolic alkalosis.
- B. Hypoxemia and compensated respiratory acidosis.
- C. Normal oxygenation and partly compensated metaboli c alkalosis.
- D. Normal oxygenation and uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoxemia and compensated respiratory acidosis. The patient's pH is within normal range (7.35), indicating compensation. The elevated PaCO2 (55 mm Hg) indicates respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation, likely from COPD. The low PaO2 (65 mm Hg) indicates hypoxemia, common in pneumonia. The normal bicarbonate level (30 mEq/L) suggests metabolic compensation for respiratory acidosis. Choice A is incorrect as there is no metabolic alkalosis present. Choice C is incorrect as the patient has hypoxemia. Choice D is incorrect as the patient is showing compensated respiratory acidosis, not uncompensated.
The sister of a patient in the ICU has been at the patients bedside non-stop for 48 hours. The nurse suggests to her that she return home to rest. Which of the following is the proper rationale for the nurse making such a suggestion?
- A. The sister is in the way of the health care providers.
- B. The patient may become annoyed by her continual presence.
- C. The patient will recover more easily in peace and quiet.
- D. The sister needs to maintain her own health during this time.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The sister needs to maintain her own health during this time. It is essential for the sister to take care of her own health and well-being to be able to provide the best support to the patient. Continuous stress and lack of rest can negatively impact her ability to support the patient effectively. Encouraging her to rest will ensure she remains physically and mentally well to continue supporting the patient in the long run.
Incorrect Choices:
A: The sister is in the way of the health care providers - This is incorrect as the primary concern is the well-being of the sister and her ability to provide support.
B: The patient may become annoyed by her continual presence - This is not the main reason for suggesting the sister to rest, as the focus is on her own health.
C: The patient will recover more easily in peace and quiet - While peace and quiet can be beneficial for the patient, the main focus here is on the sister's well-being.
A patient has just been admitted to the ICU after being in a severe auto accident and losing one of her legs. Her husband has his hand over his heart and complains of a rapid heart rate. The nurse recognizes his condition as a sign of which stage of the general adaptation syndrome to stress?
- A. Alarm stage
- B. Exhaustion stage
- C. Resistance stage
- D. Adaptation stage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alarm stage. The husband's rapid heart rate indicates the initial alarm reaction to stress, characterized by physiological arousal. This stage involves the body's fight-or-flight response to a stressor. In this scenario, the husband is experiencing the physiological effects of the stressful situation, such as the auto accident and loss of a limb. The other choices are incorrect because:
B: Exhaustion stage occurs if stress continues without relief, leading to depletion of resources and increased vulnerability to illness.
C: Resistance stage is the body's attempt to adapt and cope with the stressor after the initial alarm reaction.
D: Adaptation stage is not a recognized stage in the general adaptation syndrome model.