What would the instructor tell the students purulent fluid indicates?
- A. Cancer
- B. Infection
- C. Inflammation
- D. Heart failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A small amount of fluid lies between the visceral and parietal pleurae. When excess fluid or air accumulates, the physician aspirates it from the pleural space by inserting a needle into the chest wall. This procedure, called thoracentesis, is performed with local anesthesia. Thoracentesis also may be used to obtain a sample of pleural fluid or a biopsy specimen from the pleural wall for diagnostic purposes such as a culture, sensitivity, or microscopic examination. Purulent fluid is the recommended diagnosis for infection. Serous fluid may be associated with cancer, inflammatory conditions, or heart failure.
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The client is returning from the operating room following a bronchoscopy. Which action, performed by the nursing assistant, would the nurse stop if began prior to nursing assessment?
- A. The nursing assistant is assisting the client to a semi-Fowler's position.
- B. The nursing assistant is assisting the client to the side of the bed to use a urinal.
- C. The nursing assistant is pouring a glass of water to wet the client's mouth.
- D. The nursing assistant is asking a question requiring a verbal response.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When completing a procedure which sends a scope down the throat, the gag reflex is anesthetized to reduce discomfort. Upon returning to the nursing unit, the gag reflex must be assessed before providing any food or fluids to the client. The client may need assistance following the procedure for activity and ambulation but this is not restricted in the post-procedure period.
The nurse is caring for a client who is in respiratory distress. The physician orders arterial blood gases (ABGs) to determine various factors related to blood oxygenation. What site can ABGs be obtained from?
- A. A puncture at the radial artery
- B. The trachea and bronchi
- C. The pleural surfaces
- D. A catheter in the arm vein
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ABGs determine the blood's pH, oxygen-carrying capacity, levels of oxygen, CO2, and bicarbonate ion. Blood gas samples are obtained through an arterial puncture at the radial, brachial, or femoral artery. A client also may have an indwelling arterial catheter from which arterial samples are obtained. Blood gas samples are not obtained from the pleural surfaces or trachea and bronchi.
The nurse working in the radiology clinic is assisting with a pulmonary angiography. The nurse knows that when monitoring clients after a pulmonary angiography, what should the physician be notified about?
- A. Raised temperature in the affected limb
- B. Excessive capillary refill
- C. Absent distal pulses
- D. Flushed feeling in the client
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When monitoring clients after a pulmonary angiography, nurses must notify the physician about diminished or absent distal pulses, cool skin temperature in the affected limb, and poor capillary refill. Absent distal pulses may indicate damage to the artery or a clot. When the contrast medium is infused, the client will sense a warm, flushed feeling.
The nurse receives an order to obtain a sputum sample from a client with hemoptysis. When advising the client of the physician's order, the client states not being able to produce sputum. Which suggestion, offered by the nurse, is helpful in producing the sputum sample?
- A. Tickle the back of the throat to produce the gag reflex.
- B. Drink 8 oz of water to thin the secretions for expectoration.
- C. Use the secretions present in the oral cavity.
- D. Take deep breaths and cough forcefully.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Taking deep breaths moves air around the sputum and coughing forcefully moves the sputum up the respiratory tract. Once in the pharynx, the sputum can be expectorated into a specimen container. Producing a gag reflex elicits stomach contents and not respiratory sputum. Dilute and thinned secretions are not helpful in aiding expectoration. A sputum culture is not a component of oral secretions.
What is the difference between respiration and ventilation?
- A. Ventilation is the process of gas exchange.
- B. Ventilation is the movement of air in and out of the respiratory tract.
- C. Ventilation is the process of getting oxygen to the cells.
- D. Ventilation is the exchange of gases in the lung.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ventilation is the actual movement of air in and out of the respiratory tract. Respiration is the exchange of oxygen and CO2 between atmospheric air and the blood and between the blood and the cells.
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