When teaching a client postoperative breathing techniques with an incentive spirometer (IS), what should the nurse encourage the client to do to maintain sustained maximal inspiration?
- A. Exhale forcefully into the tubing for 3 to 5 seconds.
- B. Inspire deeply and slowly over 3 to 5 seconds.
- C. Breathe into the spirometer using normal breath volumes.
- D. Perform IS breathing exercises every 6 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inspire deeply and slowly over 3 to 5 seconds. This technique is recommended for using an incentive spirometer (IS) to maintain sustained maximal inspiration. Slow, deep inhalation helps fully expand the lungs and improve lung function postoperatively.
A: Exhaling forcefully into the tubing is incorrect because the purpose of using an IS is to promote deep inhalation, not forceful exhalation.
C: Breathing into the spirometer using normal breath volumes is incorrect as it does not promote maximal inspiration and may not fully expand the lungs.
D: Performing IS breathing exercises every 6 hours is incorrect as regular, consistent practice throughout the day is recommended for optimal lung recovery.
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An 82-year-old woman with no past medical history presents to your clinic complaining of arthritic symptoms. She is not taking any medications but needs something for her arthritis. You want to start her on a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) but are concerned about her age and the risk of peptic ulcers. As she has to pay for her medications out-of-pocket and requests the most cost-effective option, what is the most appropriate treatment plan?
- A. Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID alone
- B. Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID and misoprostol
- C. Prescribe celecoxib
- D. Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID and sucralfate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Prescribe an inexpensive NSAID alone. This option is the most appropriate because it balances the need for cost-effectiveness with the concern for peptic ulcers in an elderly patient. Starting with a simple NSAID reduces the risk of adverse effects and minimizes the financial burden on the patient. Option B adds misoprostol, which may help protect the stomach but increases the cost. Option C, prescribing celecoxib, is more expensive and carries a higher cardiovascular risk. Option D, adding sucralfate, does not have strong evidence for preventing NSAID-induced ulcers and adds unnecessary cost. Therefore, option A is the most suitable choice for this scenario.
A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue, weight gain, and constipation. Laboratory tests reveal low TSH and high free T4 levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Hypothyroidism
- B. Hyperthyroidism
- C. Thyroiditis
- D. Thyroid cancer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hyperthyroidism. In this case, the low TSH and high free T4 levels indicate overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and constipation. Low TSH is a result of negative feedback due to high T4 levels. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland, resulting in excess thyroid hormone production. Other choices are incorrect because hypothyroidism would show high TSH levels, thyroiditis typically presents with thyroid tenderness and inflammation, and thyroid cancer usually does not cause these hormonal imbalances.
A 34-year-old woman presents with intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. She notes that her symptoms improve with fasting. She has a history of iron deficiency anemia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Irritable bowel syndrome
- B. Celiac disease
- C. Lactose intolerance
- D. Crohn's disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Celiac disease. The patient's symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and improvement with fasting are classic for celiac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten ingestion. Her iron deficiency anemia can be attributed to malabsorption common in celiac disease. Irritable bowel syndrome (A) typically presents with abdominal pain relieved by defecation, not fasting. Lactose intolerance (C) results in symptoms after consuming dairy, not necessarily improved by fasting. Crohn's disease (D) may present similarly, but the improvement with fasting and iron deficiency anemia point more towards celiac disease in this case.
A 56-year-old white male complains of intermittent dysphagia for the past three months, particularly with the ingestion of meat. He has no difficulties swallowing liquids. He has no history of smoking, uses no medications, and has had no weight loss. What test would be best to evaluate him?
- A. Upper endoscopy
- B. Chest/abdominal CT scan
- C. Barium swallow
- D. Esophageal manometry
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Barium swallow. In this case, the patient's symptoms suggest a possible esophageal disorder affecting solid food ingestion. Barium swallow is a non-invasive test that can detect structural abnormalities in the esophagus, such as strictures or tumors, that may be causing dysphagia. It is the best initial test to evaluate the patient's symptoms as it provides a detailed visualization of the esophagus and can identify the cause of dysphagia. Upper endoscopy (choice A) would be appropriate if structural abnormalities are suspected. Chest/abdominal CT scan (choice B) may not provide as detailed information about esophageal function. Esophageal manometry (choice D) is more useful for evaluating motor function of the esophagus, which is not the primary concern in this case.
A 46-year-old man with a history of cirrhosis is brought in by his wife because he has been acting strangely. On examination, he is disoriented, ataxic, and has slurred speech. He is also hyperreflexic. His white blood cell count is normal. His hematocrit is 34%. Coagulation times are elevated. His ammonia level is normal. Which of the following statements regarding his management is correct?
- A. He should be treated with a low-protein diet and lactulose
- B. Lorazepam is not the drug of choice to control his behavior
- C. He should not be placed on gentamicin prophylactically to prevent the development of peritonitis
- D. If the patient complains of pain, acetaminophen should be avoided and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be used
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: He should be treated with a low-protein diet and lactulose. This patient is presenting with hepatic encephalopathy, as evidenced by his altered mental status, ataxia, slurred speech, hyperreflexia, and normal ammonia level. The management of hepatic encephalopathy involves reducing the production of ammonia in the gut. Lactulose is a non-absorbable disaccharide that helps trap ammonia in the gut and promote its excretion in the feces. A low-protein diet is also recommended to decrease ammonia production.
Option B is incorrect because lorazepam is not the drug of choice for managing hepatic encephalopathy; it can worsen the condition. Option C is incorrect because gentamicin is not indicated in this scenario. Option D is incorrect because acetaminophen should be avoided in patients with liver disease due to the risk of hepatotoxicity; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs