MS: Respiratory Unit Prep-U Questions

A nurse caring for a client with deep vein thrombosis must be especially alert for complications such as pulmonary embolism. Which findings suggest pulmonary embolism?

Chest pain and dyspnea As an embolus occludes a pulmonary artery, it blocks the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart, causing chest pain. It also blocks blood flow to the lungs, causing dyspnea. The client with pulmonary embolism typically has a cough that produces blood-tinged sputum (rather than a nonproductive cough) and chest pain (rather than abdominal pain). Hypertension, absence of fever, bradypnea, and bradycardia aren't associated with pulmonary embolism.

An increase in the red blood cell concentration in the blood is termed which of the following?

Polycythemia Polycythemia is an increase in the red blood cell concentration in the blood. Emphysema is a disease of the airways characterized by destruction of the walls of overdistended alveoli. Asthma is a disease with multiple precipitating mechanisms resulting in a common clinical outcome of reversible airflow obstruction.

A nurse provides care for a client receiving oxygen from a nonrebreather mask. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?

Assessing the client's respiratory status, orientation, and skin color. A nonrebreather mask can deliver high concentrations of oxygen to the client in acute respiratory distress. Assessment of a client's status is a priority for determining the effectiveness of therapy. There is no need for the nurse to post a "No smoking" sign over the client's bed. Smoking is a fire hazard and is prohibited in hospitals regardless of whether the client is receiving oxygen from a nonrebreather mask. Oil-based lubricants can cause pneumonia by promoting bacteria growth. Equipment should be changed daily, but this is a lower priority than assessing respiratory status, orientation, and skin color.

A client with COPD has been receiving oxygen therapy for an extended period. What symptoms would be indicators that the client is experiencing oxygen toxicity? Select all that apply.

• Substernal pain • Dyspnea • Fatigue Oxygen toxicity can occur when clients receive too high a concentration of oxygen for an extended period. Symptoms include dyspnea, substernal pain, restlessness, fatigue, and progressive respiratory difficulty. Bradycardia and mood swings are not symptoms of oxygen toxicity.

The nurse is assessing a client who has a 35 pack-year history of cigarette smoking. In light of this known risk factor for lung cancer, which statement by the client should prompt the nurse to refer the client for further assessment?

"Lately, I have this cough that just never seems to go away." The most frequent symptom of lung cancer is cough or change in a chronic cough. People frequently ignore this symptom and attribute it to smoking or a respiratory infection. A new onset of allergies, frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue are not characteristic early signs of lung cancer.

A client newly diagnosed with COPD tells the nurse, "I can't believe I have COPD; I only had a cough. Are there other symptoms I should know about"? Which is the best response by the nurse?

"Other symptoms you may develop are shortness of breath upon exertion and sputum production." COPD is characterized by three primary symptoms: cough, sputum production, and dyspnea upon exertion. Clients with COPD are at risk for respiratory insufficiency and respiratory infections, which in turn increase the risk of acute and chronic respiratory failure. Weight loss is common with COPD.

The nurse is teaching a client the proper technique for diaphragmatic breathing. Place the steps for this procedure in the correct sequence.

1. Place one hand on the abdomen and the other hand on the middle of the chest to increase awareness of the position of the diaphragm and its function in breathing. 2. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose, letting the abdomen protrude as far as possible. 3. Breathe out through pursed lips while tightening the abdominal muscles. 4. Press firmly inward and upward on the abdomen while breathing out. 5. Repeat for 1 minute; follow with a 2-minute rest period.

The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. The patient is receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula. The nurse understands that the goal of oxygen therapy is to maintain the patient's SaO2 level at or above what percent?

90% The goal of supplemental oxygen therapy is to increase the baseline resting partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) to at least 60 mm Hg at sea level and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) to at least 90%.

A client is being treated in the ED for respiratory distress coupled with bacterial pneumonia. The client has no medical history. However, the client works in a coal mine and smokes 10 cigarettes a day. The nurse anticipates which order based on the client's immediate needs?

Administration of antibiotics Antibiotics are administered to treat respiratory tract infections. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi caused by irritants or infection. Hence, smoking cessation and avoiding pollutants are necessary to slow the accelerated decline of the lung tissue. However, the immediate priority in this case is to cure the infection, pneumonia. Corticosteroids and bronchodilators are administered to asthmatic clients when they show symptoms of wheezing. An ECG is used to evaluate atrial arrhythmias.

A new ICU nurse is observed by her preceptor entering a patient's room to suction the tracheostomy after performing the task 15 minutes before. What should the preceptor educate the new nurse to do to ensure that the patient needs to be suctioned?

Auscultate the lung for adventitious sounds. When a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube is in place, it is usually necessary to suction the patient's secretions because of the decreased effectiveness of the cough mechanism. Tracheal suctioning is performed when adventitious breath sounds are detected or whenever secretions are obviously present. Unnecessary suctioning can initiate bronchospasm and cause mechanical trauma to the tracheal mucosa.

A client has undergone a left hemicolectomy for bowel cancer. Which activities prevent the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia in this client?

Coughing, breathing deeply, frequent repositioning, and using an incentive spirometer Activities that help to prevent the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia are: coughing, breathing deeply, frequent repositioning, medicating the client for pain, and using an incentive spirometer. Limiting fluids and lying still will increase the risk of pneumonia.

After suctioning a tracheostomy tube, the nurse assesses the client to determine the effectiveness of the suctioning. Which findings indicate that the airway is now patent?

Effective breathing at a rate of 16 breaths/minute through the established airway. Proper suctioning should produce a patent airway, as demonstrated by effective breathing through the airway at a normal respiratory rate of 12 to 20 breaths/minute. The other options suggest ineffective suctioning. A respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute and accessory muscle use may indicate mild respiratory distress. Increased pulse rate, rapid respirations, and cyanosis are signs of hypoxia. Restlessness, pallor, increased pulse and respiratory rates, and bubbling breath sounds indicate respiratory secretion accumulation.

A nurse is planning care for a client after a tracheostomy. One of the client's goals is to overcome verbal communication impairment. Which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan?

Encourage the client's communication attempts by allowing him time to select or write words. The nurse should allow ample time for the client to respond and shouldn't speak for him. She should use as many aids as possible to assist the client with communicating and encourage the client when he attempts to communicate. When the client is ready, the nurse can use a tracheostomy plug to facilitate speech. Making an effort to read the client's lips and answering questions for the client are inappropriate.

A patient is being educated in the use of incentive spirometry prior to having a surgical procedure. What should the nurse be sure to include in the education?

Encourage the patient to take approximately 10 breaths per hour, while awake. The patient should be instructed to perform the procedure approximately 10 times in succession, repeating the 10 breaths with the spirometer each hour during waking hours. The patient should assume a semi-Fowler's position or an upright position before initiating therapy, not be supine. Coughing during and after each session is encouraged, not discouraged. The patient should Splint the incision when coughing postoperatively. The patient should still use the spirometer when in pain.

A client is admitted to a health care facility for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which nursing diagnosis is most important for this client?

Impaired gas exchange related to airflow obstruction A patent airway and an adequate breathing pattern are the top priority for any client, making Impaired gas exchange related to airflow obstruction the most important nursing diagnosis. Although Activity intolerance, Anxiety, and Risk for infection may also apply to this client, they aren't as important as Impaired gas exchange.

A client who sustained a pulmonary contusion in a motor vehicle crash develops a pulmonary embolism. What is the priority nursing concern with this client?

Ineffective breathing pattern related to tissue trauma Ineffective breathing pattern takes priority for a client with a pulmonary contusion with a pulmonary embolism. The objective of immediate management is to restore and maintain cardiopulmonary function. After an adequate airway is ensured and ventilation is established, examination for shock and intrathoracic and intra-abdominal injuries is necessary. Fluid volume, pain, and activity intolerance are not priority concerns.

A nurse has performed tracheal suctioning on a client who experienced increasing dyspnea prior to a procedure. When applying the nursing process, how can the nurse best evaluate the outcomes of this intervention?

Measure the patients oxygen saturation. The client's response to suctioning is usually determined by performing chest auscultation and by measuring the client's oxygen saturation. FET, incentive spirometry, and percussion are not normally used as evaluative techniques.

Stiffness of the neck or inability to bend the neck is referred to as

Nuchal rigidity Nuchal rigidity is the stiffness of the neck or inability to bend the neck. Aphonia is impaired ability to use one's voice due to distress or injury to the larynx. Xerostomia is dryness of the mouth from a variety of causes. Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.

A patient with emphysema is placed on continuous oxygen at 2 L/min at home. Why is it important for the nurse to educate the patient and family that they must have No Smoking signs placed on the doors?

Oxygen supports combustion. Because oxygen supports combustion, there is always a danger of fire when it is used. It is important to post "No Smoking" signs when oxygen is in use, particularly in facilities that are not smoke free.

A client being seen in the emergency department has labored respirations. Auscultation reveals inspiratory and expiratory wheezes. Oxygen saturation is 86%. The client was nonresponsive to an albuterol (Ventolin) inhaler and intravenous methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). The nurse administers the following prescribed treatment first:

Oxygen therapy through a non-rebreather mask The description is consistent with status asthmaticus. The client has not responded to treatment. Oxygen saturation is low. As oxygenation is the priority per Maslow's hierarchy of needs, oxygen therapy would be supplied first. Then, the nurse would initiate intravenous fluids and magnesium sulfate. Last, the nurse would encourage the client to drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

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.

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 (less)

The nurse is conducting a community program about prevention of respiratory illness. What illness does the nurse know is the most common cause of death from infectious diseases in the United States?

Pneumonia Pneumonia and influenza are the most common causes of death from infectious diseases in the United States. Pneumonia accounted for close to 51,000 deaths in the United States in 2009 and 1.1 million discharges from hospitals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015b).

The nurse is teaching the client in respiratory distress ways to prolong exhalation to improve respiratory status. The nurse tells the client to

Purse the lips when exhaling air from the lungs. To prolong exhalation, the client may perform breathing while sitting in a chair or walking. The client is to inhale through the nose and then exhale against pursed lips. There is no holding the breath.

For a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which nursing intervention helps maintain a patent airway?

Teaching the client how to perform controlled coughing Controlled coughing helps maintain a patent airway by helping to mobilize and remove secretions. A moderate fluid intake (usually 2 L or more daily) and moderate activity help liquefy and mobilize secretions. Bed rest and sedatives may limit the client's ability to maintain a patent airway, causing a high risk of infection from pooled secretions.

At 11 p.m., a client is admitted to the emergency department. He has a respiratory rate of 44 breaths/minute. He's anxious, and wheezes are audible. The client is immediately given oxygen by face mask and methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol) I.V. At 11:30 p.m., the client's arterial blood oxygen saturation is 86%, and he's still wheezing. The nurse should plan to administer:

albuterol (Proventil). The client is hypoxemic because of bronchoconstriction as evidenced by wheezes and a subnormal arterial oxygen saturation level. The client's greatest need is bronchodilation, which can be accomplished by administering bronchodilators. Albuterol is a beta2 adrenergic agonist, which causes dilation of the bronchioles. It's given by nebulization or metered-dose inhalation and may be given as often as every 30 to 60 minutes until relief is accomplished. Alprazolam is an anxiolytic and central nervous system depressant, which could suppress the client's breathing. Propranolol is contraindicated in a client who's wheezing because it's a beta2 adrenergic antagonist. Morphine is a respiratory center depressant and is contraindicated in this situation.

A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute asthma attack. The client stops wheezing and breath sounds aren't audible. This change occurred because:

the airways are so swollen that no air can get through. During an acute asthma attack, wheezing may stop and breath sounds become inaudible because the airways are so swollen that air can't get through. If the attack is over and swelling has decreased, there would be no more wheezing and less emergent concern. Crackles don't replace wheezes during an acute asthma attack.

A nurse is teaching a client about bronchodilators. What bronchodilator actions that relieve bronchospasm should the nurse include in the client teaching? Select all that apply.

• Alter smooth muscle tone • Reduce airway obstruction • Increase oxygen distribution Bronchodilators relieve bronchospasm by altering smooth muscle tone and reduce airway obstruction by allowing increased oxygen distribution throughout the lungs and improving alveolar ventilation. Inflammation would be reduced by corticosteroids.

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has recently begun a new bronchodilator. Which therapeutic effect(s) should the nurse expect from this medication? Select all that apply.

• Increased expiratory flow rate • Relief of dyspnea The relief of bronchospasm is confirmed by measuring improvement in expiratory flow rates and volumes (the force of expiration, how long it takes to exhale, and the amount of air exhaled) as well as by assessing the dyspnea and making sure that it has lessened. Increased respiratory rate and viscosity of secretions would suggest a worsening of the patient's respiratory status. Bronchodilators would not have a direct result on the patient's infectious process.

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is intubated and placed on continuous mechanical ventilation. Which equipment is most important for the nurse to keep at this client's bedside? Select all that apply.

• Manual resuscitation bag • Pulse oximeter The client with COPD depends on mechanical ventilation for adequate tissue oxygenation. The nurse must keep a manual resuscitation bag at the bedside to ventilate and oxygenate the client in case the mechanical ventilator malfunctions. Because the client doesn't have chest tubes or a tracheostomy, keeping a water-seal chest drainage set-up or a tracheostomy cleaning kit at the bedside isn't necessary. Although the nurse may keep an oxygen analyzer (pulse oximeter) on hand to evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation, this equipment is less important than the manual resuscitation bag.