Chapter 29: Care of Patients with Noninfectious Upper Respiratory Problems

A nurse assesses a client who is 6 hours post-surgery for a nasal fracture and has nasal packing in place. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Observe for clear drainage. b. Assess for signs of bleeding. c. Watch the client for frequent swallowing. d. Ask the client to open his or her mouth. e. Administer a nasal steroid to decrease edema. f. Change the nasal packing.

ANS a Observe for clear drainage. b. Assess for signs of bleeding. c. Watch the client for frequent swallowing. d. Ask the client to open his or he The nurse should observe for clear drainage because of the risk for cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The nurse should assess for signs of bleeding by asking the client to open his or her mouth and observing the back of the throat for bleeding. The nurse should also note whether the client is swallowing frequently because this could indicate postnasal bleeding. A nasal steroid would increase the risk for infection. It is too soon to change the packing, which should be changed by the surgeon the first time.

A nurse assesses a client who has facial trauma. Which assessment findings require immediate intervention? (Select all that apply.) a. Stridor b. Nasal stuffiness c. Edema of the cheek d. Ecchymosis behind the ear e. Eye pain f. Swollen chin

ANS: A stridor D ecchymosis Behring the ear Stridor is a sign of airway obstruction and requires immediate intervention. Ecchymosis, or bruising, behind the ear is called "battle sign" and indicates basilar skull fracture. Nasal stuffiness, edema of the cheek or chin, and eye pain do not interfere with respirations or neurologic function, and therefore are not priorities for immediate intervention.

A nurse teaches a client who is being discharged after a fixed centric occlusion for a mandibular fracture. Which statements should the nurse include in this client's teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. "You will need to cut the wires if you start vomiting." b. "Eat six soft or liquid meals each day while recovering." c. "Irrigate your mouth every 2 hours to prevent infection." d. "Sleep in a semi-Fowler's position after the surgery." e. "Gargle with mouthwash that contains Benadryl once a day."

ANS: a. "You will need to cut the wires if you start vomiting." b. "Eat six soft or liquid meals each day while recovering." c. "Irrigate your mouth every 2 hours to prevent infection." d. "Sleep in a semi-Fowler's position after the surgery." The client needs to know how to cut the wires in case of emergency. If the client vomits, he or she may aspirate. The client should also be taught to eat soft or liquid meals multiple times a day, irrigate the mouth with a Waterpik to prevent infection, and sleep in a semi-Fowler's position to assist in avoiding aspiration. Mouthwash with Benadryl is used for clients who have mouth pain after radiation treatment; it is not used to treat pain in a client with a mandibular fracture.

A nurse assesses a client who has developed epistaxis. Which conditions in the client's history should the nurse identify as potential contributors to this problem? (Select all that apply.) a. Diabetes mellitus b. Hypertension c. Leukemia d. Cocaine use e. Migraine f. Elevated platelets

ANS: b. Hypertension c. Leukemia d. Cocaine use Frequent causes of nosebleeds include trauma, hypertension, leukemia and other blood dyscrasias, inflammation, tumor, dry air, blowing or picking the nose, cocaine use, and intranasal procedures. Diabetes, migraines, and elevated platelets and cholesterol levels do not cause epistaxis.

While assessing a client who has facial trauma, the nurse auscultates stridor. The client is anxious and restless. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Contact the provider and prepare for intubation. b. Administer prescribed albuterol nebulizer therapy. c. Place the client in high-Fowler's position. d. Ask the client to perform deep-breathing exercises.

ANS: A Contact the provider and prepare the intubation Facial and neck tissue edema can occur in clients with facial trauma. Airway patency is the highest priority. Clients who experience stridor and hypoxia, manifested by anxiety and restlessness, should be immediately intubated to ensure airway patency. Albuterol decreases bronchi and bronchiole inflammation, not facial and neck edema. Although putting the client in high-Fowler's position and asking the client to perform breathing exercises may temporarily improve the client's comfort, these actions will not decrease the underlying problem or improve airway patency.

nurse cares for a client after radiation therapy for lung cancer. The client reports a sore throat. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Ask the client to gargle with mouthwash containing lidocaine. b. Administer prescribed intravenous pain medications. c. Explain that soreness is normal and will improve in a couple days. d. Assess the client's neck for redness and swelling.

ANS: A ask the client to gargle with mouth wash containing lidocaine Mouthwashes and throat sprays containing a local anesthetic agent such as lidocaine or diphenhydramine can provide relief from a sore throat after radiation therapy. Intravenous pain medications may be used if local anesthetics are unsuccessful. The nurse should explain to the client that this is normal and assess the client's neck, but these options do not decrease the client's discomfort.

A nurse assesses a client who has a nasal fracture. The client reports constant nasal drainage, a headache, and difficulty with vision. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Collect the nasal drainage on a piece of filter paper. b. Encourage the client to blow his or her nose. c. Perform a test focused on a neurologic examination. d. Palpate the nose, face, and neck.

ANS: A collect the nasal drainage The client with nasal drainage after facial trauma could have a skull fracture that has resulted in leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF can be differentiated from regular drainage by the fact that it forms a halo when dripped on filter paper. The other actions would be appropriate but are not as high a priority as assessing for CSF. A CSF leak would increase the client's risk for infection.

A nurse cares for a client who is experiencing epistaxis. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Initiate Standard Precautions. b. Apply direct pressure. c. Sit the client upright. d. Loosely pack the nares with gauze.

ANS: A intimate standard precaution The nurse should implement Standard Precautions and don gloves prior to completing the other actions.

A nurse is assessing clients on a rehabilitation unit. Which clients are at greatest risk for asphyxiation related to inspissated oral and nasopharyngeal secretions? (Select all that apply.) a. A 24-year-old with a traumatic brain injury b. A 36-year-old who fractured his left femur c. A 58-year-old at risk for aspiration following radiation therapy d. A 66-year-old who is a quadriplegic and has a sacral ulcer e. An 80-year-old who is aphasic after a cerebral vascular accident

ANS: A, C, D, E a. A 24-year-old with a traumatic brain injury c. A 58-year-old at risk for aspiration following radiation therapy d. A 66-year-old who is a quadriplegic and has a sacral ulcer e. An 80-year-old who is aphasic after a cerebral vascular accident Risk for asphyxiation related to inspissated oral and nasopharyngeal secretions is caused by poor oral hygiene. Clients at risk include those with altered mental status and level of consciousness (traumatic brain injury), dehydration, an inability to communicate (aphasic) and cough effectively (quadriplegic), and a risk of aspiration (aspiration precautions). The client with a fractured femur is at risk for a pulmonary embolism.

A nurse teaches a client to use a room humidifier after a laryngectomy. Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching? a. "Add peppermint oil to the humidifier to relax the airway." b. "Make sure you clean the humidifier to prevent infection." c. "Keep the humidifier filled with water at all times." d. "Use the humidifier when you sleep, even during daytime naps."

ANS: B b. "Make sure you clean the humidifier to prevent infection." Priority teaching related to the use of a room humidifier focuses on infection control. Clients should be taught to meticulously clean the humidifier to prevent the spread of mold or other sources of infection. Peppermint oil should not be added to a humidifier. The humidifier should be refilled with water as needed and should be used while awake and asleep.

A nurse cares for a client who had a partial laryngectomy 10 days ago. The client states that all food tastes bland. How should the nurse respond? a. "I will consult the speech therapist to ensure you are swallowing properly." b. "This is normal after surgery. What types of food do you like to eat?" c. "I will ask the dietitian to change the consistency of the food in your diet." d. "Replacement of protein, calories, and water is very important after surgery."

ANS: B this is normal after surgery, what types of food do yo like to eat,.? Many clients experience changes in taste after surgery. The nurse should identify foods that the client wants to eat to ensure the client maintains necessary nutrition. Although the nurse should collaborate with the speech therapist and dietitian to ensure appropriate replacement of protein, calories, and water, the other responses do not address the client's concerns.

A nurse teaches a client who has open vocal cord paralysis. Which technique should the nurse teach the client to prevent aspiration? a. Tilt the head back as far as possible when swallowing. b. Tuck the chin down when swallowing. c. Breathe slowly and deeply while swallowing. d. Keep the head very still and straight while swallowing.

ANS: B tuck the chin down when swallowing The client with open vocal cord paralysis may aspirate. The nurse should teach the client to tuck in his or her chin during swallowing to prevent aspiration. Tilting the head back would increase the chance of aspiration. Breathing slowly would not decrease the risk of aspiration, but holding the breath would. Keeping the head still and straight would not decrease the risk for aspiration.

After teaching a client who is prescribed "voice rest" therapy for vocal cord polyps, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement indicates the client needs further teaching? a. "I will stay away from smokers to minimize inhalation of secondhand smoke." b. "When I speak, I will whisper rather than use a normal tone of voice." c. "For the next several weeks, I will not lift more than 10 pounds." d. "I will drink at least three quarts of water each day to stay hydrated."

ANS: B when I speak, I will whisper rather than use a normal tone of voice Treatment for vocal cord polyps includes no speaking, no lifting, and no smoking. The client has to be educated not to even whisper when resting the voice. It is also appropriate for the client to stay out of rooms where people are smoking, to stay hydrated, and to use stool softeners.

A nurse assesses clients on the medical-surgical unit. Which client is at greatest risk for development of obstructive sleep apnea? a. A 26-year-old woman who is 8 months pregnant b. A 42-year-old man with gastroesophageal reflux disease c. A 55-year-old woman who is 50 pounds overweight d. A 73-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ANS: C a 55 year old women who is 50 pounds overweight The client at highest risk would be the one who is extremely overweight. None of the other clients have risk factors for sleep apnea.

A registered nurse (RN) cares for clients on a surgical unit. Which clients should the RN delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? (Select all that apply.) a. A 32-year-old who had a radical neck dissection 6 hours ago b. A 43-year-old diagnosed with cancer after a lung biopsy 2 days ago c. A 55-year-old who needs discharge teaching after a laryngectomy d. A 67-year-old who is awaiting preoperative teaching for laryngeal cancer e. An 88-year-old with esophageal cancer who is awaiting gastric tube placement

ANS: B, E A 43-year-old diagnosed with cancer after a lung biopsy 2 days ago e. An 88-year-old with esophageal cancer who is awaiting gastric tube placeMent The nurse can delegate stable clients to the LPN. The client who had a biopsy 2 days ago and the client who is awaiting gastric tube placement are stable. The client who is 6 hours post-surgery is not yet stable. The RN is the only one who can perform discharge and preoperative teaching; teaching cannot be delegated.

A nurse is caring for a client who has sleep apnea and is prescribed modafinil (Provigil). The client asks, "How will this medication help me?" How should the nurse respond? a. "This medication will treat your sleep apnea." b. "This sedative will help you to sleep at night." c. "This medication will promote daytime wakefulness." d. "This analgesic will increase comfort while you sleep."

ANS: C This medication will promote daytime wakefulness." Modafinil is helpful for clients who have narcolepsy (uncontrollable daytime sleep) related to sleep apnea. This medication promotes daytime wakefulness.

A nurse cares for a client who is scheduled for a total laryngectomy. Which action should the nurse take prior to surgery? a. Assess airway patency, breathing, and circulation. b. Administer prescribed intravenous pain medication. c. Assist the client to choose a communication method. d. Ambulate the client in the hallway to assess gait.

ANS: C assist the client to choose a communication methond The client will not be able to speak after surgery. The nurse should assist the client to choose a communication method that he or she would like to use after surgery. Assessing the client's airway and administering IV pain medication are done after the procedure. Although ambulation promotes health and decreases the complications of any surgery, this client's gait should not be impacted by a total laryngectomy and therefore is not a priority.

A nurse cares for a client who has packing inserted for posterior nasal bleeding. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Assess the client's pain level. b. Keep the client's head elevated. c. Teach the client about the causes of nasal bleeding. d. Make sure the string is taped to the client's cheek.

ANS: D Make sure the string is taped to the client's cheek. The string should be attached to the client's cheek to hold the packing in place. The nurse needs to make sure that this does not move because it can occlude the client's airway. The other options are good interventions, but ensuring that the airway is patent is the priority objective.

A nurse is assessing a client who has suffered a nasal fracture. Which assessment should the nurse perform first? a. Facial pain b. Vital signs c. Bone displacement d. Airway patency

ANS: D airway patency A patent airway is the priority. The nurse first should make sure that the airway is patent and then should determine whether the client is in pain and whether bone displacement or blood loss has occurred.

A nurse assesses a client who reports waking up feeling very tired, even after 8 hours of good sleep. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Contact the provider for a prescription for sleep medication. b. Tell the client not to drink beverages with caffeine before bed. c. Educate the client to sleep upright in a reclining chair. d. Ask the client if he or she has ever been evaluated for sleep apnea.

ANS: D ask the client if he or she has ever been evaluated for sleep apnea Clients are usually unaware that they have sleep apnea, but it should be suspected in people who have persistent daytime sleepiness and report waking up tired. Causes of the problem should be assessed before the client is offered suggestions for treatment.