ARDs-Critical Care-IV semester

The patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) would exhibit which of the following symptoms? a. Decreasing PaO2 levels despite increased FiO2 administration b. Elevated alveolar surfactant levels c. Increased lung compliance with increased FiO2 administration d. Respiratory acidosis associated with hyperventilation

ANS: A Patients with ARDS often have hypoxemia refractory to treatment. Surfactant levels are often diminished in ARDS. Compliance decreases in ARDS. In early ARDS, hyperventilation may occur along with respiratory alkalosis.

Intrapulmonary shunting refers to a. alveoli that are not perfused. b. blood that is shunted from the left side of the heart to the right and causes heart failure. c. blood that is shunted from the right side of the heart to the left without oxygenation. d. shunting of blood supply to only one lung.

ANS: C Shunting refers to blood that is not oxygenated in the lungs.

The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which assessment would be a cue to the patient developing postoperative pneumonia? a. Bradycardia b. Change in sputum characteristics c. Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis d. Pursed-lip breathing

ANS: B Change in the character of sputum may signal the development of a respiratory infection in the patient with COPD. Additional symptoms include anxiety, wheezing, chest tightness, tachypnea, tachycardia, fatigue, malaise, confusion, fever, and sleeping difficulties.

When fluid is present in the alveoli, a. alveoli collapse, and atelectasis occurs. b. diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide is impaired. c. hypoventilation occurs. d. the patient is in heart failure.

ANS: B Fluid prevents the diffusion of gases. It does not cause atelectasis or hypoventilation. Fluid can be present in the alveoli secondary to heart failure; however, there are other causes as well, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The nurse assesses a patient who is admitted for an overdose of sedatives. The nurse expects to find which acid-base alteration? a. Hyperventilation and respiratory acidosis b. Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis c. Hypoventilation and respiratory alkalosis d. Respiratory acidosis and normal oxygen levels

ANS: B Hypoventilation is common after overdose and results in impaired elimination of carbon dioxide and respiratory acidosis. The overdose depresses the respiratory drive, which results in hypoventilation, not hyperventilation. Hypoxemia is expected secondary to depressed respirations.

An acute exacerbation of asthma is treated with which of the following? a. Corticosteroids and theophylline by mouth b. Inhaled bronchodilators and intravenous corticosteroids c. Prone positioning or continuous lateral rotation d. Sedation and inhaled bronchodilators

ANS: B Inhaled bronchodilators and intravenous corticosteroids are standard treatment for the exacerbation of asthma; they promote dilation of the bronchioles and decreased inflammation of the airways. Proning and continuous lateral rotation are therapies to treat hypoxemia secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Sedation is not recommended.

The nurse is discharging a patient home following treatment for community-acquired pneumonia. As part of the discharge teaching, the nurse instructs, a. "If you get the pneumococcal vaccine, you'll never get pneumonia again." b. "It is important for you to get an annual influenza shot to reduce your risk of pneumonia." c. "Stay away from cold, drafty places because that increases your risk of pneumonia when you get home." d. "Since you have been treated for pneumonia, you now have immunity from getting it in the future."

ANS: B The influenza vaccine reduces the risk of pneumonia by more than 50%. The pneumococcal vaccine is important but protects only against pneumococcal infection. Cold, drafty environments will not cause infection. Immunity for pneumonia does not occur as a result of getting it.

The basic underlying pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome results in a. a decrease in the number of white blood cells available. b. damage to the right mainstem bronchus. c. damage to the type II pneumocytes, which produce surfactant. d. decreased capillary permeability.

ANS: C Acute respiratory distress syndrome results in damage to the pneumocytes, increased capillary permeability, and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Which of the following acid-base disturbances commonly occurs with the hyperventilation and impaired gas exchange seen in severe exacerbation of asthma? a. Metabolic acidosis b. Metabolic alkalosis c. Respiratory acidosis d. Respiratory alkalosis

ANS: C Although the patient with a severe exacerbation of asthma hyperventilates, gas exchange is impaired, which causes respiratory acidosis.

The nurse is discharging a patient with asthma. As part of the discharge instruction, the nurse instructs the patient to prevent exacerbation by: a. obtaining an appointment for follow-up pulmonary function studies 1 week after discharge. b. limiting activity until the patient is able to climb two flights of stairs. c. taking all asthma medications as prescribed. d. taking medications on a "prn" basis according to symptoms.

ANS: C Exacerbation of asthma is often related to not adhering to the therapeutic regimen; patient teaching is essential. Follow-up studies will be determined by the physician. Activity is based on the patient's activity tolerance and is not limited. Medications are taken regularly to avoid exacerbation. Only rescue medications are used on a prn basis.

A patient presents to the emergency department in acute respiratory failure secondary to community-acquired pneumonia. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The nurse anticipates which treatment to facilitate ventilation? a. Emergency tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation b. Mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube c. Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) d. Oxygen at 100% via bag-valve-mask device

ANS: C Noninvasive measures are often recommended in the initial treatment of the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to prevent intubation and ventilator dependence. The history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases the risk for ventilator dependence, so noninvasive options are a priority. Bag-valve ventilation with 100% oxygen is not required at this time and could depress the respiratory drive that exists. Emergency tracheostomy is not indicated, as there is no indication of an obstructed airway.

The nurse is caring for a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome who is hypoxemic despite mechanical ventilation. The provider prescribes a nontraditional ventilator mode as part of treatment. Despite sedation and analgesia, the patient remains restless and appears to be in discomfort. The nurse informs the provider of this assessment and anticipates an order for a. continuous lateral rotation therapy. b. guided imagery. c. neuromuscular blockade. d. prone positioning.

ANS: C Paralysis and additional sedation may be needed if the patient requires nontraditional ventilation. Guided imagery is an excellent nonpharmacological approach to manage anxiety; however, the nontraditional mode of ventilation usually requires that the patient receive neuromuscular blockade. Prone positioning is a treatment for refractory hypoxemia but not indicated to treat this patient, who is restless and appears to be in discomfort. Lateral rotation is not a mode of ventilation; it is used as part of a progressive mobility program for critically ill patients.

In assessing a patient, the nurse understands that an early sign of hypoxemia is a. clubbing of nail beds. b. cyanosis. c. hypotension. d. restlessness.

ANS: D Central nervous system signs, such as restlessness, are early indications of low oxygen levels. Clubbing is a sign of chronic hypoxemia. Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia. Tachycardia and increased blood pressure, not hypotension, may be seen early in hypoxemia.

The nurse is caring for a patient with acute respiratory failure and identifies "Risk for Ineffective Airway Clearance" as a nursing diagnosis. A nursing intervention relevant to this diagnosis is to a. elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees. b. obtain an order for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. c. provide adequate sedation. d. reposition the patient every 2 hours.

ANS: D Repositioning the patient will facilitate mobilization of secretions. Elevating the head of bed is an intervention to prevent infection. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is ordered to prevent complications of immobility. Sedation is an intervention to manage anxiety, and administration of sedatives increases the risk for retained secretions.