Chapter 21 test3
A client with myasthenia gravis is receiving continuous mechanical ventilation. When the high-pressure alarm on the ventilator sounds, what should the nurse do? Suction the client's artificial airway.
A high-pressure alarm on a continuous mechanical ventilator indicates an obstruction in the flow of gas from the machine to the client. The nurse should suction the client's artificial airway to remove respiratory secretions that could be causing the obstruction. The sounding of a ventilator alarm has no relationship to the apical pulse. Increasing the oxygen percentage and ventilating with a handheld mechanical ventilator wouldn't correct the airflow blockage.
The nurse suctions a patient through the endotracheal tube for 20 seconds and observes dysrhythmias on the monitor. What does the nurse determine is occurring with the patient? The patient is hypoxic from suctioning
Apply suction while withdrawing and gently rotating the catheter 360 degrees (no longer than 10-15 seconds). Prolonged suctioning may result in hypoxia and dysrhythmias, leading to cardiac arrest.
Which ventilator mode provides full ventilatory support by delivering a present tidal volume and respiratory rate? Assist control
Assist-control ventilation provides full ventilator support by delivering a preset tidal volume and respiratory rate. IMV provides a combination of mechanically assisted breaths and spontaneous breaths. SIMV delivers a preset tidal volume and number of breaths per minute. Between ventilator-delivered breaths, the patient can breathe spontaneously with no assistance from the ventilator for those extra breaths. Pressure support ventilation assists SIMV by applying a pressure plateau to the airway throughout the client-triggered inspiration to decrease resistance within the tracheal tube and ventilator tubing.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy and temperature of 103° F (39.4° C). Which intervention will most likely lower the client's arterial blood oxygen saturation? Endotracheal suctioning
Endotracheal suctioning removes secretions as well as gases from the airway and lowers the arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) level. Coughing and using an incentive spirometer improve oxygenation and should raise or maintain oxygen saturation. Because of superficial vasoconstriction, using a cooling blanket can lower peripheral oxygen saturation readings, but SaO2 levels wouldn't be affected.
After lobectomy for lung cancer, a client receives a chest tube connected to a disposable chest drainage system. The nurse observes that the drainage system is functioning correctly when she notes tidal movements or fluctuations in which compartment of the system as the client breathes? Water- seal chamber
Fluctuations in the water-seal compartment are called tidal movements and indicate normal function of the system as the pressure in the tubing changes with the client's respirations. The air-leak meter — not chamber — detects air leaking from the pleural space. The collection chamber connects the chest tube from the client to the system. Drainage from the tube drains into and collects in a series of calibrated columns in this chamber. The suction control chamber provides the suction, which can be controlled to provide negative pressure to the chest.
The nurse assesses a patient with a heart rate of 42 and a blood pressure of 70/46. What type of hypoxia does the nurse determine this patient is displaying? Circulatory hypoxia
Given the vital signs, this client appears to be in shock. Circulatory hypoxia results from inadequate capillary circulation and may be caused by decreased cardiac output, local vascular obstruction, low-flow states such as shock, or cardiac arrest. Although tissue partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) is reduced, arterial oxygen (PaO2) remains normal. Circulatory hypoxia is corrected by identifying and treating the underlying cause. The low blood pressure is consistent with circulatory hypoxia but not consistent with the other options. Anemic hypoxia is a result of decreased effective hemoglobin concentration. Histotoxic hypoxia occurs when a toxic substance interferes with the ability of tissues to use available oxygen. Hypoxemic hypoxia results from a low level of oxygen in the blood.
A client who is undergoing thoracic surgery has a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired gas exchange related to lung impairment and surgery" on the nursing care plan. Which of the following nursing interventions would be appropriately aligned with this nursing diagnosis? Select all that apply. -Monitor pulmonary status as directed and needed. -Regularly assess the client's vital signs every 2 to 4 hours. -Encourage deep breathing exercises.
Interventions to improve the client's gas exchange include monitoring pulmonary status as directed and needed, assessing vital signs every 2 to 4 hours, and encouraging deep breathing exercises. The nurse would request an order for patient-controlled analgesia if appropriate for the client, but that would be an intervention related to post-surgical pain, not impaired gas exchange. Monitoring and recording hourly intake and output are essential interventions for ensuring appropriate fluid balance but not directly related to impaired gas exchange.
Which is a potential complication of a low pressure in the endotracheal tube cuff? Aspiration pneumonia
Low pressure in the cuff can increase the risk for aspiration pneumonia. High pressure in the cuff can cause tracheal bleeding, ischemia, and pressure necrosis.
The nurse is assisting a client with postural drainage. Which of the following demonstrates correct implementation of this technique? Instruct the client to remain in each position of the postural drainage sequence for 10 to 15 minutes.
Postural drainage is usually performed two to four times daily, before meals (to prevent nausea, vomiting, and aspiration) and at bedtime. Prescribed bronchodilators, water, or saline may be nebulized and inhaled before postural drainage to dilate the bronchioles, reduce bronchospasm, decrease the thickness of mucus and sputum, and combat edema of the bronchial walls. The nurse instructs the client to remain in each position for 10 to 15 minutes and to breathe in slowly through the nose and out slowly through pursed lips to help keep the airways open so that secretions can drain while in each position. If the sputum is foul-smelling, it is important to perform postural drainage in a room away from other patients or family members. (Deodorizers may be used to counteract the odor. Because aerosol sprays can cause bronchospasm and irritation, they should be used sparingly and with caution.)
A client is recovering from thoracic surgery needed to perform a right lower lobectomy. Which of the following is the most likely postoperative nursing intervention? Encourage coughing to mobilize secretions
The client is encouraged to cough frequently to mobilize secretions. The client will be placed in the semi-Fowler's position. The chest tube is always attached to closed, sealed drainage to re-expand lung tissue and prevent pneumothorax. Restricting IV fluids in a client who is NPO while recovering from surgery would lead to dehydration.
The nurse is caring for a client in the ICU who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which nursing measure is implemented in an effort to reduce the client's risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)? Cleaning the client's mouth with chlorhexidine daily
The five key elements of the VAP bundle include elevation of the head of the bed (30 to 45 degrees [semi-Fowler's position)], daily "sedation vacations," and assessment of readiness to extubate; peptic ulcer disease prophylaxis (with histamine-2 receptor antagonists); deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis; and daily oral care with chlorhexidine (0.12% oral rinses). The client should be turned and repositioned every 2 hours to prevent complications of immobility and atelectasis and to optimize lung expansion.
The nurse is educating a patient with COPD about the technique for performing pursed-lip breathing. What does the nurse inform the patient is the importance of using this technique? It prolongs exhalation.
The goal of pursed-lip breathing is to prolong exhalation and increase airway pressure during expiration, thus reducing the amount of trapped air and the amount of airway resistance.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy tube and who is undergoing mechanical ventilation. The nurse can help prevent tracheal dilation, a complication of tracheostomy tube placement, by: using the minimal-leak technique with cuff pressure less than 25 cm H2O.
To prevent tracheal dilation, a minimal-leak technique should be used and the pressure should be kept at less than 25 cm H2O. Suctioning is vital but won't prevent tracheal dilation. Use of a cuffed tube alone won't prevent tracheal dilation. The tracheostomy shouldn't be plugged to prevent tracheal dilation. This technique is used when weaning the client from tracheal support.
After undergoing a left thoracotomy, a client has a chest tube in place. When caring for this client, the nurse must: encourage coughing and deep breathing.
When caring for a client who's recovering from a thoracotomy, the nurse should encourage coughing and deep breathing to prevent pneumonia. Fluctuations in the water-seal chamber are normal. Clamping the chest tube could cause a tension pneumothorax. Chest tube milking is controversial and should be done only to remove blood clots that obstruct the flow of drainage.
The nurse is preparing to perform chest physiotherapy (CPT) on a client. Which statement by the client tells the nurse that the procedure is contraindicated. "I just finished eating my lunch, I'm ready for my CPT now."
When performing CPT, the nurse ensures that the client is comfortable, is not wearing restrictive clothing, and has not just eaten. The nurse gives medication for pain, as prescribed, before percussion and vibration, splints any incision, and provides pillows for support, as needed. A goal of CPT is for the client to be able to mobilize secretions; the client who has an unproductive cough is a candidate for CPT.
Which type of ventilator has a preset volume of air to be delivered with each inspiration? Volume cycled
With volume-cycled ventilation, the volume of air to be delivered with each inspiration is preset. Negative-pressure ventilators exert a negative pressure on the external chest. Time-cycled ventilators terminate or control inspiration after a preset time. When the pressure-cycled ventilator cycles on, it delivers a flow of air (inspiration) until it reaches a preset pressure, and then cycles off, and expiration occurs passively.
A nurse observes constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber of a closed chest drainage system. What should the nurse conclude? The system has an air leak
Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak and requires immediate intervention. The client with a pneumothorax will have intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber. Clients without a pneumothorax should have no evidence of bubbling in the chamber. If the tube is obstructed, the fluid would stop fluctuating in the water-seal chamber.
For a client with an endotracheal (ET) tube, which nursing action is the most important? Auscultating the lungs for bilateral breath sounds
For the client with an ET tube, the most important nursing action is auscultating the lungs regularly for bilateral breath sounds to ensure proper tube placement and effective oxygen delivery. Although turning the client from side to side every 2 hours, monitoring serial blood gas values every 4 hours, and providing frequent oral hygiene are appropriate actions for this client, they're secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation.
The nurse is admitting a patient with COPD. The decrease of what substance in the blood gas analysis would indicate to the nurse that the patient is experiencing hypoxemia? PaO2
Hypoxemic hypoxia, or hypoxemia, is a decreased oxygen level in the blood (PaO2) resulting in decreased oxygen diffusion into the tissues.
The nurse is assisting a physician with an endotracheal intubation for a client in respiratory failure. It is most important for the nurse to assess for: Symmetry of the client's chest expansion
Immediately after intubation, the nurse should check for symmetry of chest expansion. This is one finding that indicates successful endotracheal placement. The tracheal cuff pressure is set between 15 and 20 mm Hg. Routine deflation of the tracheal cuff is not recommended, because the client could then aspirate secretions during the period of deflation. Warm, high, humidified air is administered through the endotracheal tube.
A client with a respiratory condition is receiving oxygen therapy. While assessing the client's PaO2, the nurse knows that the therapy has been effective based on which of the following readings? 84 mmHg
In general, clients with respiratory conditions are given oxygen therapy only to increase the arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) back to the client's normal baseline, which may vary from 60 to 95 mm Hg.
A client is receiving supplemental oxygen. When determining the effectiveness of oxygen therapy, which arterial blood gas value is most important? Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)
The most significant and direct indicator of the effectiveness of oxygen therapy is the PaO2 value. Based on the PaO2 value, the nurse may adjust the type of oxygen delivery (cannula, Venturi mask, or mechanical ventilator), flow rate, and oxygen percentage. The other options reflect the client's ventilation status, not oxygenation. The pH, HCO3-, and PaCO2
What assessment method would the nurse use to determine the areas of the lungs that need draining? Auscultation
The nurse should assess breath sounds before doing postural drainage to determine the areas that need draining. Inspection, chest X-rays, and ABG levels are all assessment parameters that give good information about respiratory function but aren't necessary to determine lung areas requiring postural drainage.
A nurse is teaching a client about using an incentive spirometer. Which statement by the nurse is correct? "Before you do the exercise, I'll give you pain medication if you need it."
The nurse should assess the client's pain level before the client does incentive spirometry exercises and administer pain medication as needed. Doing so helps the client take deeper breaths and help prevents atelectasis. The client should breathe in slowly and steadily, and hold his breath for 3 seconds after inhalation. The client should start doing incentive spirometry immediately after surgery and aim to do 10 incentive spirometry breaths every hour.
A client is being mechanically ventilated in the ICU. The ventilator alarms begin to sound. The nurse should complete which action first? Troubleshoot to identify the malfunction.
The nurse should first immediately attempt to identify and correct the problem; if the problem cannot be identified and/or corrected, the client must be manually ventilated with an Ambu bag. The respiratory therapist may be notified, but this is not the first action by the nurse. The nurse should not reposition the endotracheal tube as a first response to an alarm.
The nurse is caring for a client following a thoracotomy. Which finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse? Chest tube drainage, 190 mL/hr
The nurse should monitor and document the amount and character of drainage every 2 hours. The nurse must notify the primary provider if drainage is ≥150 mL/hr. The other findings are normal following a thoracotomy and no intervention would be required.
An adult client with cystic fibrosis is admitted to an acute care facility with an acute respiratory infection. The ordered respiratory treatment includes chest physiotherapy. When should the nurse perform this procedure? Select all that apply. Before meals At bedtime
The nurse should perform chest physiotherapy at bedtime to reduce secretions in the client's lungs during the night. It is important to perform chest physiotherapy before meals to prevent nausea, vomiting, and aspiration. Percussion and vibration, components of chest physiotherapy, may worsen bronchospasms; therefore, the procedure is contraindicated in clients with bronchospasms. Secretions that have mobilized (especially when suction equipment isn't available) are a contraindication for postural drainage, another component of chest physiotherapy.
For a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed water-seal drainage system, the nurse should include which action in the care plan? Measuring and documenting the drainage in the collection chamber
The nurse should regularly measure and document the amount of chest tube drainage to detect abnormal drainage patterns, such as may occur with a hemorrhage (if excessive) or a blockage (if decreased). Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates a leak in the closed chest drainage system, which must be corrected. The nurse should keep the collection chamber below chest level to allow fluids to drain into it. The nurse shouldn't strip chest tubes because doing so may traumatize the tissue or dislodge the tube.