Module 15: Oxygenation (Gas Exchange)
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed oxygen 24% 2 L/min. Which is the best method to administer oxygen to this client? A) Face mask B) Nasal cannula C) Nonrebreather mask D) Venturi mask
B) Nasal cannula The oxygen delivery device that would safely administer 24% oxygen at the flow rate of 2 liters per minute is through nasal cannula. The other delivery devices are better suited for higher percentages of oxygen and higher flow rates.
The nurse is providing care to an adult client with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The client is admitted to the intensive care unit with a pneumothorax. Which interventions are appropriate for this client? Select all that apply. A) Elevate head of the bed B) Administer a high rate of oxygen by nasal cannula C) Prepare for a chest tube insertion D) Administer prescribed antihypertensive medications E) Administer intravenous caffeine per order
A) Elevate head of the bed C) Prepare for a chest tube insertion The nurse providing care to a client with COPD and a pneumothorax would elevate the head of the bed because of the client's dyspnea and orthopnea and prepare for a chest tube insertion. Because clients with COPD have a decreased response to hypercarbia, which stimulates breathing, a high rate of oxygen by nasal cannula is inappropriate. There is no indication that the client is experiencing hypertension. IV caffeine is administered to premature infants as a respiratory stimulant. This intervention is not appropriate for an adult client diagnosed with COPD and a pneumothorax.
Which independent nursing interventions are appropriate for a client who is experiencing an alteration in oxygenation? Select all that apply. A) Encouraging deep breathing exercises B) Assisting with positioning C) Providing suctioning D) Prescribing bronchodilators E) Monitoring activity intolerance
A) Encouraging deep breathing exercises B) Assisting with positioning C) Providing suctioning E) Monitoring activity intolerance Examples of independent interventions that nurses can provide to clients with alterations in oxygenation include deep breathing exercises, positioning, encouraging smoking cessation, monitoring activity intolerance, promoting secretion clearance, suctioning, and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs). It is outside the scope of nursing practice to prescribe a bronchodilator to a client. The nurse, however, can administer a prescribed bronchodilator. This is considered a collaborative nursing intervention.
The nurse is conducting an assessment for a client on a medical-surgical unit. Which findings are indicative of a client who is experiencing tachypnea? Select all that apply. A) Excessive rapid breathing B) Chest pain C) Rapid breathing at rest D) Shallow breathing E) Cyanosis
A) Excessive rapid breathing C) Rapid breathing at rest D) Shallow breathing Excessive rapid breathing, rapid breathing at rest, and shallow breathing are all manifestations of tachypnea. Chest pain is a manifestation of a pneumothorax. Cyanosis is a late manifestation of hypoxemia.
The nurse recognizes that which pathophysiologic changes are occurring when caring for the client with respiratory acidosis? Select all that apply. A) Increased CO2 B) Vasoconstriction C) Decreased O2 D) Decreased intracranial pressure (ICP) E) Increased pulse rate
A) Increased CO2 C) Decreased O2 E) Increased pulse rate Respiratory acidosis is an alteration of acid-base imbalance that is caused by decreased oxygen intake, resulting in an excess of dissolved carbon dioxide (increased CO2). Vasodilatation, not vasoconstriction, occurs as a low pH results in relaxation of vascular smooth muscle by interrupting the normal function of calcium channels. Cerebral vasodilation results in increased intracranial pressure. The pulse rate increases in an attempt to compensate for oxygen deprivation.
The nurse is providing care for a client admitted during an acute exacerbation of asthma. Which medication does the nurse anticipate to relieve the acute symptoms exhibited by the client? A) Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists B) Oral corticosteroids C) Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists D) Oral anticholinergics
A) Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists The client admitted with an acute exacerbation of asthma will require a rescue medication, such as an inhaled short-acting beta-agonist. Oral corticosteroids, inhaled long-acting beta agonists, and oral anticholinergics are maintenance medications used to treat asthma.
While performing nasotracheal suctioning, the nurse notes the older adult client with an alteration in oxygenation is moving the head around and pulling at the nurse's hand to remove the suction catheter. Which actions by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply. A) Remove the suction catheter B) Lower the head of the bed C) Decrease the suction pressure D) Apply restraints to the client's arms and legs E) Hyperoxygenate the client
A) Remove the suction catheter C) Decrease the suction pressure E) Hyperoxygenate the client The older adult client is demonstrating signs of hypoxemia. The nurse should remove the suction catheter, decrease the suction pressure, and hyperoxygenate the client. Restraining the patient does not address the hypoxemia. The client should be in the Fowler or high-Fowler position.
The nurse is providing care to a client with arterial blood gas analysis as follows: PaO2 of 82, PaCO2 of 49, HCO3 of 26, and pH of 7.31. Which assessment by the nurse is correct? A) Respiratory acidosis B) Respiratory alkalosis C) Metabolic alkalosis D) Metabolic acidosis
A) Respiratory acidosis Both the pH and the carbon dioxide levels represent acidosis. The PaO2 of 82 is on the low end of normal and the bicarbonate level is normal, indicating that this is respiratory acidosis rather than metabolic acidosis.
Vaccinations can help promote healthy oxygenation by A) reducing the transmission of preventable diseases. B) increasing the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide in the lungs. C) promoting adequate blood circulation to organs and tissues. D) preventing all respiratory infections.
A) reducing the transmission of preventable diseases. Vaccinations help decrease the transmission of preventable diseases, many of which are spread by respiratory secretions. Many of these diseases also affect the respiratory system and can alter oxygenation. Vaccinations do not directly increase the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide in the lungs, nor do they promote adequate blood circulation. Vaccinations can prevent some respiratory infections, but not all respiratory infections, and they can also prevent some nonrespiratory infections.
The charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse conduct an admission assessment on a client with asthma. Which action by the newly licensed nurse requires immediate intervention? A) The newly licensed nurse is observed obtaining the pulse oximetry reading 10 minutes after the client used an albuterol inhaler. B) The newly licensed nurse is observed continuing to ask the client questions regarding history while the client demonstrates difficulty breathing and signs of respiratory impairment. C) The newly licensed nurse is observed assessing the client's thoracic wall, skin, and nail beds. D) The newly licensed nurse is observed auscultating breath sounds with a stethoscope.
B) The newly licensed nurse is observed continuing to ask the client questions regarding history while the client The charge nurse should intervene immediately if the nurse observes the client is demonstrating impairment at or near respiratory failure; the client will not be able to respond to questions. Assessment questions should be tailored and asked of any family member or friend accompanying the client. Although the pulse oximetry reading may not be a true indicator of the level of respiratory distress of the client because of the use of an albuterol inhaler within 30-60 minutes of this assessment, it is still an appropriate action for the newly licensed nurse to take and does not require the charge nurse to intervene immediately. The charge nurse may speak to the newly licensed nurse later with regard to this assessment. Assessing the client's thoracic wall, skin, and nail beds is an appropriate action at this time. Auscultating the client's breath sounds with the use of a stethoscope is appropriate.
When auscultating the lungs of a client experiencing dyspnea, the nurse hears a low-pitched sound that is continuous throughout inspiration. What does this lung sound indicate to the nurse? A) Narrow bronchi B) Narrow trachea passages C) Blocked large airway passages D) Inflamed pleural surfaces
C) Blocked large airway passages The nurse auscultated rhonchi, which are low-pitched sounds that are continuous throughout inspiration. Rhonchi suggests blockage of large airway passages, which may be cleared with coughing. Stridor is the sound created by narrow tracheal passages. A low-pitched grating sound is created by inflamed pleural surfaces. Wheezing is created by narrow bronchi.
The nurse is providing care to a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which clinical manifestations are the direct result of altered perfusion? Select all that apply. A) Bounding pulse B) Pink nail beds C) Cyanosis D) Confusion E) Wheezing
C) Cyanosis D) Confusion A client who is diagnosed with COPD may have alterations in both oxygenation and perfusion. Clinical manifestations associated with a decrease in perfusion include cyanosis and confusion. A weak pulse and blue nail beds would also indicate poor perfusion. Wheezing is an abnormal breath sound that is the result of excess mucus in the airways.
The nurse is planning care for a client experiencing dyspnea and a subsequent activity intolerance. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate? A) Encourage strenuous activity. B) Consult a dietitian for low-calorie meals. C) Space periods of activity with periods of rest. D) Encourage dependence with activities of daily living.
C) Space periods of activity with periods of rest. The client with shortness of breath will experience activity intolerance due to a lack of oxygen and fatigue. It will often be appropriate to space periods of activity with periods of rest. Clients with respiratory disorders often need an increase, not a decrease, in calories to maintain body functions. The client will be weak, so the nurse should not encourage strenuous activity. The nurse would want the client to be as independent as possible and would not encourage dependence with activities of daily living.
The structure of the respiratory system that serves as the site of gas exchange is the A) macrophage. B) bronchi. C) alveoli. D) bronchiole.
C) alveoli. The alveoli comprise the terminal structures of the lower respiratory system. Alveoli serve as the sites of gas exchange, specifically, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Bronchi and bronchioles are larger structures in the respiratory system that serve as tracts for airflow. Macrophages are immune cells that keep the alveoli region free of microbes.
The nurse is reviewing the results of laboratory tests conducted on a client admitted with an alteration in respiratory function. Which laboratory finding would be most significant for this client? A) Hemoglobin level 14 g/dL B) Oxygen saturation 96% C) Serum sodium 140 mg/dL D) Blood pH 7.32
D) Blood pH 7.32 Normal blood pH is 7.35-7.45. A decreased pH indicates that the client is experiencing acidosis, which indicates an alteration in oxygenation. The serum sodium does not impact the oxygen capacity of the body. The hemoglobin level affects the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood; however, the value is within normal limits. Oxygen saturation of 96% is within normal limits.
The nurse assigned to the newborn nursery is conducting shift assessments. While assessing one newborn, the nurse notes the respiratory rate is 52 breaths per minute. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? A) Notify the healthcare provider of this assessment finding. B) Obtain an arterial blood gas for further respiratory assessment. C) Begin monitoring the respiratory rate every 5 minutes. D) Continue to monitor the newborn per facility policy.
D) Continue to monitor the newborn per facility policy. A respiratory rate of 52 breaths per minute is a normal finding in a newborn. Respiratory rates are highest and most variable in newborns. The respiratory rate of a neonate or newborn is 30-60 breaths per minute. Therefore, this client only needs monitoring. No other actions are necessary.
