The nurse is caring for a patient with a left radial arterial lianbierb, .caonmd/t eas tp ulmonary artery catheter inserted into the right subclavian vein. Which action by th e nurse best ensures the safety of the patient being monitored with invasive hemodynamic moni toring lines?
- A. Document all waveform values.
- B. Limit the pressure tubing length.
- C. Zero reference the system daily.
- D. Ensure alarm limits are turned on.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Zero reference the system daily. Zero referencing ensures accuracy and calibration of pressure monitoring system by setting the baseline pressure to zero. This is crucial to prevent inaccuracies in measurements. Choice A is important but doesn't directly address the accuracy of the monitoring system. Choice B may help in preventing errors but doesn't address the accuracy of pressure measurement. Choice D is important for alerting the nurse but doesn't directly relate to the accuracy of hemodynamic monitoring.
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The nurse is caring for a 48-year-old patient who is intubated and on a ventilator following extensive abdominal surgery. Although the patient is respo nsive, the nurse is not able to read the patient’s lips as the patient attempts to mouth the words. Which of the following assessment tools would be the most appropriate for the nu rse to use when assessing the patient’s pain level? (Select all that apply.)
- A. The FACES scale
- B. Pain Intensity Scale
- C. The PQRST method
- D. The Visual Analogue Scale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The FACES scale. This scale uses facial expressions to assess pain, making it suitable for a patient who is unable to verbalize. The nurse can show the patient a series of faces depicting varying levels of pain and ask them to point to the one that best represents their pain level. This method is non-verbal and easy for patients to understand.
The other choices are incorrect:
B: The Pain Intensity Scale requires the patient to rate their pain on a numerical scale, which may be difficult for a non-verbal patient.
C: The PQRST method is a mnemonic for assessing pain characteristics (provocation, quality, region, severity, timing), but it requires patient communication.
D: The Visual Analogue Scale involves marking a point on a line to indicate pain intensity, which is not suitable for a non-verbal patient.
An 81-year-old patient who has been in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a week is now stable, and transfer to the progressive care unit is planned. On rounds, the nurse notices that the patient has new onset confusion. The nurse will plan to:
- A. Give PRN lorazepam (Ativan) and cancel the transfer.
- B. Inform the receiving nurse and then transfer the patient.
- C. Notify the health care provider and postpone the transfer.
- D. Obtain an order for restraints as needed and transfer the patient.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the health care provider and postpone the transfer. The new onset confusion in an elderly patient in the ICU can be a sign of delirium, which is a serious condition that requires prompt evaluation and management. By notifying the healthcare provider, they can assess the patient's condition, order appropriate tests, and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Postponing the transfer allows for further observation and intervention to address the underlying cause of the confusion.
Choice A (Give PRN lorazepam and cancel the transfer) is incorrect because administering lorazepam may worsen the confusion in an elderly patient and should not be done without proper evaluation.
Choice B (Inform the receiving nurse and then transfer the patient) is incorrect because transferring the patient without addressing the new onset confusion can lead to potential complications and delay in appropriate management.
Choice D (Obtain an order for restraints as needed and transfer the patient) is incorrect because using restraints should only be considered as a
A male client who has been taking propranolol (Inderal) for 18 months tells the nurse that the healthcare provider discontinued the medication because his blood pressure has been normal for the past three months. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
- A. Obtain another antihypertensive prescription to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- B. Stop the medication and keep an accurate record of blood pressure.
- C. Report any uncomfortable symptoms after stopping the medication.
- D. Ask the healthcare provider about tapering the drug dose over the next week.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the healthcare provider about tapering the drug dose over the next week. This answer is correct because propranolol is a beta-blocker, and abrupt discontinuation can lead to rebound hypertension, angina, or even myocardial infarction due to the sudden withdrawal of the medication. Tapering the drug dose over time allows the body to adjust gradually and reduces the risk of these adverse effects.
Choice A is incorrect because obtaining another antihypertensive prescription is not necessary if the client's blood pressure has been normal for the past three months. Choice B is incorrect because abruptly stopping the medication without tapering can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Choice C is incorrect because simply reporting uncomfortable symptoms without taking appropriate action (tapering the drug dose) is not addressing the potential risks associated with abrupt discontinuation of propranolol.
Family members are in the patient’s room when the patient has a cardiac arrest and the staff starts resuscitation measures. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Keep the family in the room and assign a staff member to explain the care given and answer questions.
- B. Ask the family to wait outside the patient’s room with a designated staff member to provide emotional support.
- C. Ask the family members whether they would prefer to remain in the patient’s room or wait outside the room.
- D. Tell the family members that patients are comforted by having family members present during resuscitation efforts.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it involves patient-centered care and respects the family's preferences. By asking the family members whether they would prefer to remain in the patient's room or wait outside, the nurse acknowledges their needs and allows them to make an informed decision based on their comfort level. This empowers the family members and promotes a supportive environment during a stressful situation.
Choice A is incorrect because it assumes that keeping the family in the room without their input is the best approach, which may not be the case for all families. Choice B is incorrect because asking the family to wait outside without considering their preferences may not be the most supportive action. Choice D is incorrect because it makes a blanket statement about patient comfort without considering individual family dynamics and preferences.
A 54-year-old patient arrives in the emergency department (ED) after exposure to powdered lime at work. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Obtain the patient’s vital signs.
- B. Obtain a baseline complete blood count.
- C. Decontaminate the patient by showering with water.
- D. Brush off any visible powder on the skin and clothing.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because brushing off any visible powder on the skin and clothing is the first step in managing exposure to powdered lime. This action helps to remove the source of exposure and prevent further absorption through the skin. It is crucial to prevent additional contact and reduce the risk of further harm. Obtaining vital signs (choice A) and a complete blood count (choice B) can be important but should come after the initial decontamination. Decontaminating the patient by showering with water (choice C) is not recommended for lime exposure as it can react with water and cause further injury.