What diagnostic procedure is required to make a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism?
- A. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.
- B. Chest x-ray examination.
- C. High resolution multidetector CT angiogram.
- D. Ventilation-perfusion scanning.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: High resolution multidetector CT angiogram. This diagnostic procedure is required for a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism because it provides detailed imaging of the pulmonary vasculature, allowing visualization of blood clots in the pulmonary arteries.
A: Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis does not directly diagnose pulmonary embolism but may show signs of hypoxemia or respiratory alkalosis, which can be seen in some cases of pulmonary embolism.
B: Chest x-ray examination may show nonspecific findings such as atelectasis or pleural effusion but cannot definitively diagnose pulmonary embolism.
D: Ventilation-perfusion scanning is another imaging modality used in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, but it is less commonly used compared to CT angiogram due to lower sensitivity and specificity.
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A family member approaches the nurse caring for their gra vely ill son and states, “We want to donate our son’s organs.” What is the best action by the nu rse?
- A. Arrange a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians.
- B. Consult the hospital’s ethics committee for a ruling.
- C. Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO).
- D. Obtain family consent to withdraw life support.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the organ procurement organization (OPO). This is the best action because the OPO is responsible for coordinating organ donation and transplantation. By involving the OPO, the nurse ensures that the donation process is handled appropriately and ethically.
Choice A: Arranging a multidisciplinary meeting with physicians may be necessary but should not be the first step in this situation.
Choice B: Consulting the hospital’s ethics committee may be helpful, but the immediate priority is to involve the OPO to facilitate organ donation.
Choice D: Obtaining family consent to withdraw life support is not the nurse’s role in this situation. The focus should be on organ donation to honor the family's wishes.
Which action will the nurse need to do when preparing to assist with the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter?
- A. Determine if the cardiac troponin level is elevated.
- B. Auscultate heart and breath sounds during insertion.
- C. Place the patient on NPO status before the procedure.
- D. Attach cardiac monitoring leads before the procedure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Attach cardiac monitoring leads before the procedure. This is essential to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm and detect any abnormalities during catheter insertion. Cardiac monitoring leads provide real-time information on the patient's heart rate and rhythm, allowing the nurse to promptly address any complications.
A: Determining if the cardiac troponin level is elevated is not directly related to assisting with pulmonary artery catheter insertion.
B: Auscultating heart and breath sounds during insertion is important but does not take precedence over attaching cardiac monitoring leads.
C: Placing the patient on NPO status before the procedure may be necessary for other procedures, but it is not specifically required for assisting with pulmonary artery catheter insertion.
Which of the following statements regarding pain and anxiety are true? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Anxiety is a state marked by apprehension, agitation, a utonomic arousal, and/or fearful withdrawal.
- B. Critically ill patients often experience anxiety, but they rarely experience pain.
- C. Pain and anxiety are often interrelated and may be diffaibciurbl.tc otmo /tdeisft ferentiate because their physiological and behavioral manifestations are similar.
- D. Pain is defined by each patient; it is whatever the perso n experiencing the pain says it is.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale:
A: Correct. Anxiety is characterized by apprehension, agitation, autonomic arousal, and fearful withdrawal, which are distinct from pain.
B: Incorrect. Critically ill patients can experience both anxiety and pain, as pain is not exclusive to them.
C: Incorrect. While pain and anxiety can be interrelated, they can be differentiated based on their unique physiological and behavioral manifestations.
D: Incorrect. Pain is a subjective experience, but it is not solely defined by the individual; objective assessments are also important.
Which patient should the nurse refer for hospice care?
- A. A 60-year-old with lymphoma whose children are unable to discuss issues related to dying.
- B. A 72-year-old with chronic severe pain due to spinal arthritis and vertebral collapse.
- C. A 28-year-old with AIDS-related dementia who needs palliative care and pain management.
- D. A 56-year-old with advanced liver failure whose family members can no longer provide care in the home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient with AIDS-related dementia requires palliative care and pain management, which are key components of hospice care. This patient is likely in the terminal stage of their illness and would benefit from the comprehensive support provided by hospice services.
Choice A is incorrect because the patient's children's inability to discuss dying issues does not necessarily indicate a need for hospice care. Choice B is incorrect as chronic severe pain due to spinal arthritis is not a sole criterion for hospice referral. Choice D is incorrect as advanced liver failure alone does not automatically qualify a patient for hospice care.
The nurse is caring for a patient whose condition has deter iorated and is now not responding to standard treatment. The primary health care provider ca lls for an ethical consultation with the family to discuss potential withdrawal versus aggressivabei rtbr.ceoamtm/teestn t. The nurse understands that applying a model for ethical decision making involves which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Burden versus benefit
- B. Family’s wishes
- C. Patient’s wishes
- D. Potential outcomes of treatment options
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Burden versus benefit. In ethical decision-making, considering the burden of treatment on the patient versus the potential benefits is crucial. This involves weighing the risks, benefits, and potential harm of treatment options. Family's wishes (B) and patient's wishes (C) are important factors but may not always align with what is ethically best for the patient. Potential outcomes of treatment options (D) are relevant but do not directly address the ethical dilemma of balancing burden and benefit. Therefore, A is the correct choice as it directly relates to the ethical principles guiding decision-making in this scenario.