PrepU Chapter 39: Oxygenation and Perfusion

A client who uses portable home oxygen states, "I still like to smoke cigarettes every now and then." What is the appropriate nursing response?

"You should never smoke when oxygen is in use." Explanation: The nurse will educate the client about the dangers of smoking when oxygen is in use. Oxygen is not flammable, but it oxidizes other materials. Other answers are inappropriate.

A client returns to the telemetry unit after an operative procedure. Which diagnostic test will the nurse perform to monitor the effectiveness of the oxygen therapy ordered for the client?

pulse oximetry Explanation: Pulse oximetry is useful for monitoring clients receiving oxygen therapy, titrating oxygen therapy, monitoring those at risk for hypoxia, and postoperative clients. Peak expiratory flow rate is used to monitor severe respiratory diseases and the degree of disease control. Spirometry is used in the postoperative period to measure the volume of air in liters exhaled or inhaled. Spirometry also evaluates lung function and airway obstruction but does not specifically monitor the effectiveness of oxygen therapy. Thoracentesis is a procedure that allows the physician to aspirate pleural fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

A client who was prescribed CPAP reports nonadherence to treatment. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Ask the client what factors contribute to nonadherence. Explanation: The nurse must first assess the reasons that contribute to nonadherence; interventions cannot be determined without a thorough assessment. Then, the nurse can work with the health care provider to find alternate treatment options if necessary, and then document the care.

While examining a client, the nurse palpates the client's chest and back. What would the nurse expect to identify with this technique?

pattern of thoracic expansion Explanation: The nurse can assess patterns of thoracic expansion through palpation. Fluid-filled and consolidated portions of lungs can be assessed through percussion, not through palpation. Presence of pleural rub can be assessed through auscultation.

A nurse assessing a client's respiratory effort notes that the client's breaths are shallow and 8 per minute. Shortly after, the client's respirations cease. Which form of oxygen delivery should the nurse use for this client?

Ambu bag Explanation: If the client is not breathing with an adequate rate and depth, or if the client has lost the respiratory drive, a manual resuscitation bag (Ambu bag) may be used to deliver oxygen until the client is resuscitated or can be intubated with an endotracheal tube. Oxygen masks may cover only the nose and mouth and can vary in the amount of oxygen delivered. A nasal oxygen cannula is a device that consists of a plastic tube that fits behind the ears, and a set of two prongs that are placed in the nostril. An oxygen tent is a tentlike enclosure within which the air supply can be enriched with oxygen to aid a client's breathing. Oxygen masks, nasal cannula, and oxygen tents are used for clients who have a respiratory drive.

A client's primary care provider has informed the nurse that the client will require thoracentesis. The nurse should suspect that the client has developed which disorder of lung function?

Pleural effusion Explanation: Thoracentesis involves the removal of fluid from the pleural space, either for diagnostic purposes or to remove an accumulation of fluid in this space (pleural effusion). Tachypnea and wheezes are not symptoms that directly indicate a need for thoracentesis. Pneumonia would necessitate the procedure only if the infection resulted in pleural effusion.

The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which teaching about deep breathing will the nurse include?

"Inhale slowly over three seconds, purse your lips, contract abdominal muscles, and exhale slowly." Explanation: Pursed-lip breathing is a form of controlled ventilation that is effective for clients with COPD. Other answers are incorrect techniques for deep breathing.

The nurse is educating an adolescent with asthma on how to use a metered-dose inhaler. Which instruction will the nurse include in the teaching?

Be sure to shake the canister before using it. Explanation: A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) delivers a controlled dose of medication with each compression of the canister. The canister must be shaken to mix the medication properly. MDIs are inhaled through the mouth and into the lungs. The medication should be inhaled slowly to ensure a sufficient dose enters the lungs. If the order is for two sprays, these sprays are administered with one spray for each breath. The inhaled breath should be held briefly after each spray in order to prevent the client from immediately exhaling the medication.

A nurse using a pulse oximeter to measure a client's SpO2 obtains a reading of 95%. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?

Document this expected assessment finding. Explanation: A range of 95% to 100% is considered normal oxygen saturation. As such, there is no need to change the client's position, encourage deep-breathing exercises and coughing, or to review the client's medication history.

The nurse is suctioning a client's tracheostomy when the tracheostomy becomes dislodged and the nurse is unable to replace it easily. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Maintain the client's oxygenation and alert the health care provider immediately. Explanation: If the tracheostomy becomes dislodged and is not easily replaced, the nurse should notify the primary care provider immediately, cover the tracheostomy stoma, and assess client's respiratory status.

The nurse is auscultating the lungs of a client and detects normal vesicular breath sounds. What is a characteristic of vesicular breath sounds?

They are low-pitched, soft sounds heard over peripheral lung fields. Explanation: Normal breath sounds include vesicular (low-pitched, soft sounds heard over peripheral lung fields), bronchial (loud, high-pitched sounds heard primarily over the trachea and larynx), and bronchovesicular (medium-pitched blowing sounds heard over the major bronchi) sounds. Crackles are soft, high-pitched discontinuous (intermittent) popping sounds.

A nurse is volunteering at a day camp. A child is stung by a bee and develops wheezing in the upper airways. The child is experiencing:

a bronchospasm. Explanation: When allergic responses take place in the lungs, breathing difficulties are far more severe. Small airways become edematous, mucus production increases, and inflammatory chemical mediators cause bronchospasm.

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed humidified oxygen at 6 L/minute. Which type of liquid will the nurse gather to set up the humidifier?

distilled water Explanation: Distilled water is used when humidification is desired. Other answers are incorrect.

The nurse assesses a client and detects the following findings: difficulty breathing, increased respiratory and pulse rates, and pale skin with regions of cyanosis. What condition would the nurse suspect as causing these respiratory alterations?

Hypoxia Explanation: Hypoxia is a condition in which an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to cells. Difficulty breathing, increased respiratory and pulse rates, and pale skin with regions of cyanosis are all signs of hypoxia. Hyperventilation is an increased rate and depth of ventilation, above the body's normal metabolic requirements. Perfusion refers to the process by which oxygenated capillary blood passes through body tissues. Atelectasis refers to collapsed alveoli.

The nurse is caring for a client who is wearing oxygen via nasal cannula. The client asks about the bubbling water attached to the oxygen. Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

It decreases dry mucous membranes by delivering small water droplets. Explanation: The humidifier produces small water droplets that are delivered during oxygen administration to decrease dry mucous membranes. The oxygen analyzer measures the percentage of delivered oxygen to determine whether the client is receiving the prescribed amount. The flow meter is a gauge used to regulate the amount of oxygen that a client receives. The health care provider prescribes concentration.

A client is admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%. The client has a barrel chest and clubbed fingers. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

Place client in the tripod position Explanation: Placing the client in the tripod position would relieve shortness of breath and increase the client's oxygen saturation level. Ambulating the client would exacerbate the symptoms, and assisting the client with the incentive spirometer is not appropriate at this time. The client will be unable to perform deep breathing exercises if hypoxic.

When a nurse observes that an older client's skin is dry and shiny and his nails are thickened, the nurse determines that the client is most likely experiencing

Poor tissue perfusion Explanation: Chronically poor perfusion may result in hair loss in the affected area, discolored skin, thickened nails, and shiny, dry skin indicative of inadequate tissue nutrition.

The nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a prescription for meperidine 75 mg intramuscularly (IM) every 4 hours as needed for pain. Before and after administering meperidine, the nurse would assess which most important sign?

Respiratory rate and depth Explanation: The client receiving opioids needs monitoring of the respiratory rate and depth to ensure that respiratory depression does not result in progressive respiratory issues, physiologic damage from respiratory depression, or loss of consciousness. The pulse, blood pressure, and urinary intake and output are not as important as respiratory status when administering opioids.

The air quality index has rated it a red air quality day in the city. Which information will the nurse share with the client about promoting effective respiratory self-care?

Stay indoors as much as possible. Explanation: Using the air quality index, a red color designation signifies that the air quality is unhealthy for all people, not just sensitive groups. Air pollution and high humidity are respiratory irritants. Pollutants cause increased mucus production and contribute to bronchitis and asthma. Reducing contact with irritants by staying indoors during times of increased air pollution will decrease their effect on the respiratory system. Clients should be encouraged to quit smoking, not just cut down. Avoiding large crowds and practicing good hand hygiene will prevent respiratory infections but not cut down on the effect of air pollution.

Which guideline is recommended for determining suction catheter depth when suctioning an endotracheal tube?

Using a suction catheter with centimeter increments on it, insert the suction catheter into the endotracheal tube until the centimeter markings on both the endotracheal tube and catheter align, and insert the suction catheter no further than an additional 1 cm. Explanation: Guidelines to determine suction catheter depth include the following: Using a suction catheter with centimeter increments on it, insert the suction catheter into the endotracheal tube until the centimeter markings on both the endotracheal tube and catheter align, and insert the suction catheter no further than an additional 1 cm past the length of the endotracheal tube. Combine the length of the endotracheal tube and any adapter being used, and add an additional 1 cm. Using a spare endotracheal or tracheostomy tube of the same size as being used for the client, insert the suction catheter to the end of the tube and note the length of catheter used to reach the end of the tube. For a closed system, combine the length of the endotracheal or tracheostomy tube and any adapter being used, and add an additional 1 cm.

A nurse assessing a client's respiratory status gets a weak signal from the pulse oximeter. The client's other vital signs are within reference ranges. What is the nurse's best action?

Warm the client's hands and try again. Explanation: Finding an absent or weak signal, the nurse should check vital signs and client condition. If satisfactory, warming the extremity may facilitate a stronger reading. This should be attempted prior to resorting to using the client's earlobe. Bright light can interfere with the operation of light sensors and cause an unreliable report. A blood pressure cuff will compromise venous blood flow to the site leading to inaccurate readings.

The nurse auscultates the lungs of a client with asthma who reports shortness of breath, sore throat, and congestion. Which finding does the nurse expect to document?

Wheezing Explanation: The nurse expects to document wheezing in the lungs of a client with asthma, which would be more pronounced when the client has a respiratory infection. Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound heard primarily during expiration but may also be heard on inspiration. Wheezing is caused by air passing through constricted passages caused by swelling or secretions. Stridor and crackles are other abnormal breath sounds caused by fluid, infection, or inflammation in the lungs. Absent breath sounds are not normally found in asthmatic clients; they are characteristic of pneumonia.

What assessments would a nurse make when auscultating the lungs?

air flow through the respiratory passages Explanation: Auscultation of the lungs assesses air flow through the respiratory passages and lungs. The nurse listens for normal, as well as abnormal, breath sounds. Abnormal chest structures would be assessed when inspecting the chest and thoracic region. Presence of edema would be assessed as part of the cardiovascular status of the client. Volume of air exhaled and inhaled would be performed during a pulmonary function test.

The nurse is assessing a newborn in the nursery. The nurse notes the infant has episodes in which breathing ceased for 20 seconds on 2 occasions. The nurse correctly recognizes this condition as:

apnea. Explanation: The newborn's breathing pattern is characterized by occasional pauses of several seconds between breaths. This periodic breathing is normal during the first 3 months of life, but frequent or prolonged periods of apnea (cessation of breathing 20 seconds or longer) are abnormal. Dyspnea refers to shortness of breath. Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat. An elevation of carbon dioxide levels in the blood is termed hypercapnia.

The nurse auscultates a client with soft, high-pitched popping breath sounds on inspiration. The nurse documents the breath sounds heard as:

crackles. Explanation: Crackles, frequently heard on inspiration, are soft, high-pitched discontinuous (intermittent) popping sounds. Wheezes are continuous musical sounds, produced as air passes through airways constricted by swelling, narrowing, secretions, or tumors. Vesicular sounds are low-pitched, soft sounds heard over peripheral lung fields. Bronchovesicular sounds are medium-pitched blowing sounds heard over the major bronchi.

The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with Impaired Gas Exchange. While performing a physical assessment of the client, which data is the nurse likely to find, keeping in mind the client's diagnosis?

high respiratory rate Explanation: A client diagnosed with Impaired Gas Exchange has difficulty in breathing, so the nurse is likely to find a high respiratory rate. As a compensatory mechanism to impairment in gas exchange, the peripheral temperature drops, and the pulse rate and blood pressure increase.