When assessing the patient for hypoxemia, the nurse recognizes what as an early sign of the effect of hypoxemia on the cardiovascular system?
- A. Heart block
- B. Restlessness
- C. Tachycardia
- D. Tachypnea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tachycardia. Hypoxemia results in decreased oxygen levels in the blood, stimulating the body to increase heart rate to improve oxygen delivery. Tachycardia is an early sign of the cardiovascular system compensating for hypoxemia. Heart block (A) is a disruption in the electrical conduction within the heart and is not directly related to hypoxemia. Restlessness (B) is a non-specific sign and can be caused by various factors. Tachypnea (D) is an increased respiratory rate, which is a response to hypoxemia but not a direct effect on the cardiovascular system.
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A 68-year-old patient has been in the intensive care unit for 4 days and has a nursing diagnosis of disturbed sensory perception related to sleep deprivation. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Administer prescribed sedatives or opioids at bedtime to promote sleep.
- B. Cluster nursing activities so that the patient has uninterrupted rest periods.
- C. Silence the alarms on the cardiac monitors to allow 30- to 40-minute naps.
- D. Eliminate assessments between 0100 and 0600 to allow uninterrupted sleep.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cluster nursing activities so that the patient has uninterrupted rest periods.
Rationale:
1. Clustering nursing activities allows for uninterrupted rest periods, essential for improving sleep quality and addressing disturbed sensory perception.
2. Administering sedatives or opioids (Option A) can lead to drug dependence, tolerance, and adverse effects in older adults.
3. Silencing alarms (Option C) compromises patient safety by impeding timely monitoring and response to critical events.
4. Eliminating assessments (Option D) between 0100 and 0600 disregards the necessity of monitoring vital signs and assessing patient condition around the clock.
In which situation would a healthcare surrogate or proxy a ssume the end-of-life decision-making role for a patient?
- A. When a dying patient requires extensive heavy sedatioanb,i rbs.ucocmh/ taesst benzodiazepines and narcotics, to control distressing symptoms
- B. When a dying patient who is competent requests to wi thdraw treatment against the wishes of the family
- C. When a dying patient who is competent requests to con tinue treatment against the recommendations of the healthcare team
- D. When a dying patient who is competent is receiving pr n treatment for pain and anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because in this situation, the patient is no longer able to make decisions for themselves due to being heavily sedated. The healthcare surrogate or proxy steps in to make decisions on behalf of the patient to ensure their comfort and well-being.
Choice B is incorrect because the patient is competent and able to make their own decisions, so there is no need for a surrogate to take over decision-making.
Choice C is incorrect because the patient is competent and has the right to make decisions about their own treatment, even if they go against medical recommendations.
Choice D is incorrect because the patient is competent and receiving appropriate treatment for their pain and anxiety, so there is no need for a surrogate to intervene in this scenario.
The patient’s spouse is very upset because the patient, who is near death, has dyspnea and restlessness. The nurse explains what options to decrease the discomfort?
- A. Respiratory therapy treatments
- B. Opioid medications given as needed
- C. Incentive spirometry treatments
- D. Increased hydration.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Opioid medications given as needed. Opioids are indicated for managing dyspnea and restlessness in palliative care by providing relief from symptoms. They act as potent analgesics and can help decrease the distress associated with difficult breathing and restlessness. Respiratory therapy treatments (A) and incentive spirometry treatments (C) may not address the immediate discomfort caused by dyspnea and restlessness. Increased hydration (D) may not directly alleviate the symptoms and could potentially worsen the patient's discomfort.
A 6-year-old child is alert but quiet when brought to the emergency center with periorbital ecchymosis and ecchymosis behind the ears. The nurse suspects potential child abuse and continues to assess the child for additional manifestations of a basilar skull fracture. What assessment finding would be consistent with a basilar skull fracture?
- A. Hematemesis and abdominal distention.
- B. Asymmetry of the face and eye movements.
- C. Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign.
- D. Abnormal position and movement of the arm.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign. This finding is consistent with a basilar skull fracture because it indicates a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the skull base. The Halo sign refers to a ring of CSF surrounded by blood, which can be seen on a white absorbent pad. This specific sign is a classic indicator of a basilar skull fracture, as the CSF leakage from the ears or nose can be tinged with blood due to the fracture disrupting nearby blood vessels.
For the other choices:
A: Hematemesis and abdominal distention are not typical manifestations of a basilar skull fracture. They are more indicative of gastrointestinal issues or internal bleeding.
B: Asymmetry of the face and eye movements can be seen with facial nerve or orbital injuries, but it is not specific to a basilar skull fracture.
D: Abnormal position and movement of the arm are not directly related to a
The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who is a non-na tive English speaker. What is the best way to communicate with the patient and family to provide updates and explain procedures?
- A. Conduct a Google search on the computer to identify resources for the patient and family in their native language. Print these for their use .
- B. Contact the hospital’s interpreter service for someone to translate.
- C. Get in touch with one of the residents that you know is fluent in the native language and ask him if he can come up to the unit.
- D. Use a young family member who is fluent in both English and the native language to translate for you.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Contact the hospital’s interpreter service for someone to translate. This is the best option as it ensures accurate communication between the nurse, patient, and family. Hospital interpreters are trained professionals who can accurately convey medical information, ensuring understanding and informed decision-making. Using Google search (A) may result in inaccurate information and is not reliable for medical communication. Asking a resident (C) who is fluent may not guarantee accuracy in medical terminology. Using a young family member (D) as a translator can lead to miscommunication due to potential language barriers or lack of medical knowledge. Overall, option B is the most appropriate and ethical choice for effective communication in a healthcare setting.