Respiratory Assessment, Oxygen Therapy & Tracheostomy
A client receiving cholestyramine (Questran) for hyperlipidemia should be evaluated for what vitamin deficiency? A. K. B. B12. C. B6. D. C
A ~ Clients should be monitored for an increased prothrombin time and prolonged bleeding times which would alert the nurse to a vitamin K deficiency. These drugs reduce absorption of the fat soluble (lipid) vitamins A, D, E, and K. (B, C, and D) are not fat soluble vitamins.
A nurse is assessing a client who is recovering from a lung biopsy. Which assessment finding requires immediate action? a. Increased temperature b. Absent breath sounds c. Productive cough d. Incisional discomfort
B ~ Absent breath sounds may indicate that the client has a pneumothorax, a serious complication after a needle biopsy or open lung biopsy. The other manifestations are not life threatening.
What assessment finding should the nurse identify in a client with fluid volume excess? A. Flushed skin. B. Elevated blood pressure. C. Weak, thready pulse. D. Dry mucous membranes
B ~ Elevated blood pressure.
A nursing student caring for a client removes the clients oxygen as prescribed. The client is now breathing what percentage of oxygen in the room air? a. 14% b. 21% c. 28% d. 31%
B ~ Room air is 21% oxygen.
A client with a new tracheostomy is being seen in the oncology clinic. What finding by the nurse best indicates that goals for the nursing diagnosis Impaired Self-Esteem are being met? a. The client demonstrates good understanding of stoma care. b. The client has joined a book club that meets at the library. c. Family members take turns assisting with stoma care. d. Skin around the stoma is intact without signs of infection.
B ~ The client joining a book club that meets outside the home and requires him or her to go out in public is the best sign that goals for Impaired Self-Esteem are being met. The other findings are all positive signs but do not relate to this nursing diagnosis.
A nurse observes that a clients anteroposterior (AP) chest diameter is the same as the lateral chest diameter. Which question should the nurse ask the client in response to this finding? a. Are you taking any medications or herbal supplements? b. Do you have any chronic breathing problems? c. How often do you perform aerobic exercise? d. What is your occupation and what are your hobbies?
B ~ The normal chest has a lateral diameter that is twice as large as the AP diameter. When the AP diameter approaches or exceeds the lateral diameter, the client is said to have a barrel chest. Most commonly, barrel chest occurs as a result of a long-term chronic airflow limitation problem, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or severe chronic asthma. It can also be seen in people who have lived at a high altitude for many years. Therefore, an AP chest diameter that is the same as the lateral chest diameter should be rechecked but is not as indicative of underlying disease processes as an AP diameter that exceeds the lateral diameter. Medications, herbal supplements, and aerobic exercise are not associated with a barrel chest. Although occupation and hobbies may expose a client to irritants that can cause chronic lung disorders and barrel chest, asking about chronic breathing problems is more direct and should be asked first.
The nurse obtains a BP reading of 100/88 in the right arm of a client whose blood pressure is typically 120/60 in the same arm. What action should the nurse implement first? A. Use an electronic sphygmomanometer to take the BP every 30 minutes. B. Retake the blood pressure in the same arm, deflating the cuff slowly. C. Ask another nurse to recheck the blood pressure to compare results. D. Obtain another blood pressure cuff and retake the blood pressure
B ~ The nurse should first retake the blood pressure in the right arm, deflating the cuff more slowly because a low systolic and high diastolic blood pressure measurement is often the result of deflating the cuff too rapidly.
What is ALBUTEROL?
Beta2 Agonist (brochodilator) ~ relaxes smooth muscle of the bronchial tubes with little effect on the heart rate
The nurse receives report in the emergency center for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first? A. A screaming child with a compound fracture of the wrist. B. A diabetic client with a laceration on the sole of the foot. C. A client experiencing shortness of breath and dyspnea. D. A geriatric client with many new and old bruises noted
C ~ A client experiencing shortness of breath and dyspnea.
A nurse assesses a client after an open lung biopsy. Which assessment finding is matched with the correct intervention? a. Client states he is dizzy. Nurse applies oxygen and pulse oximetry. b. Clients heart rate is 55 beats/min. Nurse withholds pain medication. c. Client has reduced breath sounds. Nurse calls physician immediately. d. Clients respiratory rate is 18 breaths/min. Nurse decreases oxygen flow rate.
C ~ A potentially serious complication after biopsy is pneumothorax, which is indicated by decreased or absent breath sounds. The physician needs to be notified immediately. Dizziness after the procedure is not an expected finding. If the clients heart rate is 55 beats/min, no reason is known to withhold pain medication. A respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min is a normal finding and would not warrant changing the oxygen flow rate.
A client is receiving atenolol (Tenormin) 25 mg PO after a myocardial infarction. The nurse determines the client's apical pulse is 65 beats per minute. What action should the nurse implement next? A. Notify the healthcare provider. B. Measure the blood pressure. C. Administer the medication. D. Reassess the apical pulse
C ~ Atenolol, a beta blocker, blocks the beta receptors of the sinoatrial node to reduce the heart rate, so the medication should be administered because the client's apical pulse is greater than 60.
A 6-year-old child is admitted in the emergency department with a systolic blood pressure of 58 mm Hg. What action should the nurse take first? A. Comfort the child. B. Assess responsiveness. C. Alert the healthcare provider. D. Initiate IV fluid replacement
C ~ The lower limit for systolic blood pressure for a child older than 1 year of age is 70 mm Hg plus 2 times the child's age in years, so the healthcare provider should be notified of the child's hypotension
A client who has a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum returns to the unit after a bronchoscopy. What nursing interventions should be implemented in the immediate post-procedural period? A. Keep the client on bed rest for eight hours. B. Check vital signs every 15 minutes for two hours. C. Allow the client nothing by mouth until the gag reflex returns. D. Encourage fluid intake to promote elimination of the contrast media
C ~ The nasal pharynx and oral pharynx are anesthetized with local anesthetic spray prior to bronchoscopy, and the bronchoscope is coated with lidocaine (Xylocaine) gel to inhibit the gag reflex and prevent laryngeal spasm during insertion. The client should be NPO until the client's gag reflex returns to prevent aspiration from any oral intake or secretions.
A nurse cares for a client who had a bronchoscopy 2 hours ago. The client asks for a drink of water. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Call the physician and request a prescription for food and water. b. Provide the client with ice chips instead of a drink of water. c. Assess the clients gag reflex before giving any food or water. d. Let the client have a small sip to see whether he or she can swallow.
C ~ The topical anesthetic used during the procedure will have affected the clients gag reflex. Before allowing the client anything to eat or drink, the nurse must check for the return of this reflex.
What is ABSORPTIVE ATELECTASIS?
If a large volume of nitrogen in the lungs is replaced with oxygen, the oxygen may subsequently be absorbed into the blood, reducing the volume of the alveoli, resulting in a form of alveolar collapse known as absorption atelectasis.
A nurse assesses a client after a thoracentesis. Which assessment finding warrants immediate action? a. The client rates pain as a 5/10 at the site of the procedure. b. A small amount of drainage from the site is noted. c. Pulse oximetry is 93% on 2 liters of oxygen. d. The trachea is deviated toward the opposite side of the neck.
D ~ A deviated trachea is a manifestation of a tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency. The other findings are normal or near normal.
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to undergo a thoracentesis. Which intervention should the nurse complete prior to the procedure? a. Measure oxygen saturation before and after a 12-minute walk. b. Verify that the client understands all possible complications. c. Explain the procedure in detail to the client and the family. d. Validate that informed consent has been given by the client.
D ~ A thoracentesis is an invasive procedure with many potentially serious complications. Verifying that the client understands complications and explaining the procedure to be performed will be done by the physician or nurse practitioner, not the nurse. Measurement of oxygen saturation before and after a 12-minute walk is not a procedure unique to a thoracentesis.
Following the administration of morphine sulfate 10 mg IV, the nurse determines that the client's respirations are six breaths per minute. What action should the nurse take first? A. Assess the client's current oxygen saturation level. B. Auscultate the client's breath sounds bilaterally. C. Prepare to administer a dose of naloxone (Narcan) IV. D. Attempt to arouse the client to stimulate respirations
D ~ Attempt to arouse the client to stimulate respirations
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan (Diovan) has been achieved? A. Dependent edema reduced from +3 to +1. B. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55 mg/dl. C. Pulse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/minute. D. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
D ~ Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
Describe SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA
Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when air gets into tissues under the skin.
What is a THORACENTESIS?
Thoracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat pleural effusions, a condition in which there is excess fluid in the pleural space, also called the pleural cavity. This space exists between the outside of the lungs and the inside of the chest wall.
A nurse assesses a 66-year-old client who is attempting to quit smoking. The client states, I started smoking at age 16, and smoked one pack each day until 10 years ago. Then I decreased to a half of a pack per day. How many pack-years should the nurse document for this client? (Record your answer using a whole number.) ___ pack-years
45 pack-years 66 (current age) 16 (year started smoking) = 50 years of smoking. (40 years 1 pack per day) + (10 years 0.5 pack per day) = 45 pack-years.
A nurse plans care for a client who is experiencing dyspnea and must stop multiple times when climbing a flight of stairs. Which intervention should the nurse include in this clients plan of care? a. Assistance with activities of daily living b. Physical therapy activities every day c. Oxygen therapy at 2 liters per nasal cannula d. Complete bedrest with frequent repositioning
A ~ A client with dyspnea and difficulty completing activities such as climbing a flight of stairs has class III dyspnea. The nurse should provide assistance with activities of daily living. These clients should be encouraged to participate in activities as tolerated. They should not be on complete bedrest, may not be able to tolerate daily physical therapy, and only need oxygen if hypoxia is present.
A nurse auscultates a harsh hollow sound over a clients trachea and larynx. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Document the findings. b. Administer oxygen therapy. c. Position the client in high-Fowlers position. d. Administer prescribed albuterol.
A ~ Bronchial breath sounds, including harsh, hollow, tubular, and blowing sounds, are a normal finding over the trachea and larynx. The nurse should document this finding. There is no need to implement oxygen therapy, administer albuterol, or change the clients position because the finding is normal.
The nurse hears short, high-pitched sounds just before the end of inspiration in the right and left lower lobes when auscultating a client's lungs. How should this finding be recorded? A. Inspiratory wheezes in both lungs. B. Crackles in the right and left lower lobes. C. Abnormal lung sounds in the bases of both lungs. D. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes
A ~ Inspiratory wheezes in both lungs.
A client is receiving oxygen at 4 liters per nasal cannula. What comfort measure may the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Apply water-soluble ointment to nares and lips. b. Periodically turn the oxygen down or off. c. Remove the tubing from the clients nose. d. Turn the client every 2 hours or as needed.
A ~ Oxygen can be drying, so the UAP can apply water-soluble lubricant to the clients lips and nares. The UAP should not adjust the oxygen flow rate nor remove the tubing. Turning the client is not related to comfort measures for oxygen.
Which condition is associated with an over-secretion of renin? A. Hypertension. B. Diabetes mellitus. C. Diabetes insipidus. D. Alzheimer's disease
A ~ Renin is secreted when special cells in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) sense changes in blood volume and pressure. Inappropriate or excessive renin secretion is a major cause of persistent hypertension.
A client is receiving methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily. The nurse anticipates an increase in which laboratory value as the result of this medication? A. Serum glucose. B. Serum calcium. C. Red blood cells. D. Serum potassium
A ~ Serum glucose.
A student is practicing suctioning a tracheostomy in the skills laboratory. What action by the student demonstrates that more teaching is needed? a. Applying suction while inserting the catheter b. Preoxygenating the client prior to suctioning c. Suctioning for a total of three times if needed d. Suctioning for only 10 to 15 seconds each time
A ~ Suction should only be applied while withdrawing the catheter. The other actions are appropriate.
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) was feeding a client with a tracheostomy. Later that evening, the UAP reports that the client had a coughing spell during the meal. What action by the nurse takes priority? a. Assess the clients lung sounds. b. Assign a different UAP to the client. c. Report the UAP to the manager. d. Request thicker liquids for meals.
A ~ The priority is to check the clients oxygenation because he or she may have aspirated. Once the client has been assessed, the nurse can consult with the registered dietitian about appropriately thickened liquids. The UAP should have reported the incident immediately, but addressing that issue is not the immediate priority.
A client has a tracheostomy that is 3 days old. Upon assessment, the nurse notes the clients face is puffy and the eyelids are swollen. What action by the nurse takes priority? a. Assess the clients oxygen saturation. b. Notify the Rapid Response Team. c. Oxygenate the client with a bag-valve-mask. d. Palpate the skin of the upper chest.
A ~ This client may have subcutaneous emphysema, which is air that leaks into the tissues surrounding the tracheostomy. The nurse should first assess the clients oxygen saturation and other indicators of oxygenation. If the client is stable, the nurse can palpate the skin of the upper chest to feel for the air. If the client is unstable, the nurse calls the Rapid Response Team. Using a bag-valve-mask device may or may not be appropriate for the unstable client.
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (Adactone) for a client who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Which action should the nurse implement? A. Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider. B. Report the medication interactions to the nurse manager. C. Hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription. D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy
A ~ Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider.
A home health nurse is visiting a new client who uses oxygen in the home. For which factors does the nurse assess when determining if the client is using the oxygen safely? (Select all that apply.) a. The client does not allow smoking in the house. b. Electrical cords are in good working order. c. Flammable liquids are stored in the garage. d. Household light bulbs are the fluorescent type. e. The client does not have pets inside the home.
A, B, C ~ Oxygen is an accelerant, which means it enhances combustion, so precautions are needed whenever using it. The nurse should assess if the client allows smoking near the oxygen, whether electrical cords are in good shape or are frayed, and if flammable liquids are stored (and used) in the garage away from the oxygen. Light bulbs and pets are not related to oxygen safety.
A nurse is teaching a client about possible complications and hazards of home oxygen therapy. About which complications does the nurse plan to teach the client? (Select all that apply.) a. Absorptive atelectasis b. Combustion c. Dried mucous membranes d. Oxygen-induced hyperventilation e. Toxicity
A, B, C, E ~ Complications of oxygen therapy include absorptive atelectasis, combustion, dried mucous membranes, and oxygen toxicity. Oxygen-induced hypoventilation is also a complication.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching on tracheostomy care for an older client. What factors does the nurse need to assess before teaching this particular client? (Select all that apply.) a. Cognition b. Dexterity c. Hydration d. Range of motion e. Vision
A, B, D, E ~ The older adult is at risk for having impairments in cognition, dexterity, range of motion, and vision that could limit the ability to perform tracheostomy care and should be assessed. Hydration is not directly related to the ability to perform self-care.
A nurse plans care for a client who is at high risk for a pulmonary infection. Which interventions should the nurse include in this clients plan of care? (Select all that apply.) a. Encourage deep breathing and coughing. b. Implement an air mattress overlay. c. Ambulate the client three times each day. d. Provide a diet high in protein and vitamins. e. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) twice daily.
A, C, D ~ Regular pulmonary hygiene and activities to maintain health and fitness help to maximize functioning of the respiratory system and prevent infection. A client at high risk for a pulmonary infection may need a specialty bed to help with postural drainage or percussion; this would not include an air mattress overlay, which is used to prevent pressure ulcers. Tylenol would not decrease the risk of a pulmonary infection.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy tube. What actions may the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.) a. Applying water-soluble lip balm to the clients lips b. Ensuring the humidification provided is adequate c. Performing oral care with alcohol-based mouthwash d. Reminding the client to cough and deep breathe often e. Suctioning excess secretions through the tracheostomy
A, D ~ The UAP can perform hygiene measures such as applying lip balm and reinforce teaching such as reminding the client to perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises. Oral care can be accomplished with normal saline, not products that dry the mouth. Ensuring the humidity is adequate and suctioning through the tracheostomy are nursing functions.
A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed varenicline (Chantix) for smoking cessation. Which manifestations should the nurse identify as adverse effects of this medication? (Select all that apply.) a. Visual hallucinations b. Tachycardia c. Decreased cravings d. Impaired judgment e. Increased thirst
A, D ~ Varenicline (Chantix) has a black box warning stating that the drug can cause manic behavior and hallucinations. The nurse should assess for changes in behavior and thought processes, including impaired judgment and visual hallucinations. Tachycardia and increased thirst are not adverse effects of this medication. Decreased cravings is a therapeutic response to this medication.
While obtaining a clients health history, the client states, I am allergic to avocados. Which responses by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.) a. What response do you have when you eat avocados? b. I will remove any avocados that are on your lunch tray. c. When was the last time you ate foods containing avocados? d. I will document this in your record so all of your providers will know. e. Have you ever been treated for this allergic reaction?
A, D, E ~ Nurses should assess clients who have allergies for the specific cause, treatment, and response to treatment. The nurse should also document the allergies in a prominent place in the clients medical record. The nurse should collaborate with food services to ensure no avocados are placed on the clients meal trays. Asking about the last time the client ate avocados does not provide any pertinent information for the clients plan of care.
A client is being discharged home after having a tracheostomy placed. What suggestions does the nurse offer to help the client maintain self-esteem? (Select all that apply.) a. Create a communication system. b. Dont go out in public alone. c. Find hobbies to enjoy at home. d. Try loose-fitting shirts with collars. e. Wear fashionable scarves.
A, D, E ~ The client with a tracheostomy may be shy and hesitant to go out in public. The client should have a sound communication method to ease frustration. The nurse can also suggest ways of enhancing appearance so the client is willing to leave the house. These can include wearing scarves and loose-fitting shirts to hide the stoma. Keeping the client homebound is not good advice.
A nurse teaches a client who is interested in smoking cessation. Which statements should the nurse include in this clients teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. Find an activity that you enjoy and will keep your hands busy. b. Keep snacks like potato chips on hand to nibble on. c. Identify a punishment for yourself in case you backslide. d. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. e. Make a list of reasons you want to stop smoking.
A, D, E ~ The nurse should teach a client who is interested in smoking cessation to find an activity that keeps the hands busy, to keep healthy snacks on hand to nibble on, to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day, and to make a list of reasons for quitting smoking. The nurse should also encourage the client not to be upset if he or she backslides and has a cigarette.
A nurse collaborates with a respiratory therapist to complete pulmonary function tests (PFTs) for a client. Which statements should the nurse include in communications with the respiratory therapist prior to the tests? (Select all that apply.) a. I held the clients morning bronchodilator medication. b. The client is ready to go down to radiology for this examination. c. Physical therapy states the client can run on a treadmill. d. I advised the client not to smoke for 6 hours prior to the test. e. The client is alert and can follow your commands.
A, D, E ~ To ensure the PFTs are accurate, the therapist needs to know that no bronchodilators have been administered in the past 4 to 6 hours, the client did not smoke within 6 to 8 hours prior to the test, and the client can follow basic commands, including different breathing maneuvers. The respiratory therapist can perform PFTs at the bedside. A treadmill is not used for this test.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a pulmonary infection. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake. b. Assess the clients level of consciousness. c. Raise the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees. d. Provide the client with humidified oxygen.
B ~ Assessing the clients level of consciousness will be most important because it will show how the client is responding to the presence of the infection. Although it will be important for the nurse to encourage the client to turn, cough, and frequently breathe deeply; raise the head of the bed; increase oral fluid intake; and humidify the oxygen administered, none of these actions will be as important as assessing the level of consciousness. Also, the client who has a pulmonary infection may not be able to cough effectively if an area of abscess is present.
A client has a tracheostomy tube in place. When the nurse suctions the client, food particles are noted. What action by the nurse is best? a. Elevate the head of the clients bed. b. Measure and compare cuff pressures. c. Place the client on NPO status. d. Request that the client have a swallow study.
B ~ Constant pressure from the tracheostomy tube cuff can cause tracheomalacia, leading to dilation of the tracheal passage. This can be manifested by food particles seen in secretions or by noting that larger and larger amounts of pressure are needed to keep the tracheostomy cuff inflated. The nurse should measure the pressures and compare them to previous ones to detect a trend. Elevating the head of the bed, placing the client on NPO status, and requesting a swallow study will not correct this
A nurse is caring for a client who received benzocaine spray prior to a recent bronchoscopy. The client presents with continuous cyanosis even with oxygen therapy. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Administer an albuterol treatment. b. Notify the Rapid Response Team. c. Assess the clients peripheral pulses. d. Obtain blood and sputum cultures.
B ~ Cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen therapy is a manifestation of methemoglobinemia, which is an adverse effect of benzocaine spray. Death can occur if the level of methemoglobin rises and cyanosis occurs. The nurse should notify the Rapid Response Team to provide advanced nursing care. An albuterol treatment would not address the clients oxygenation problem. Assessment of pulses and cultures will not provide data necessary to treat this client.
A client is wearing a Venturi mask to deliver oxygen and the dinner tray has arrived. What action by the nurse is best? a. Assess the clients oxygen saturation and, if normal, turn off the oxygen. b. Determine if the client can switch to a nasal cannula during the meal. c. Have the client lift the mask off the face when taking bites of food. d. Turn the oxygen off while the client eats the meal and then restart it.
B ~ Oxygen is a drug that needs to be delivered constantly. The nurse should determine if the provider has approved switching to a nasal cannula during meals. If not, the nurse should consult with the provider about this issue. The oxygen should not be turned off. Lifting the mask to eat will alter the O2 delivered.
A nurse is caring for a client using oxygen while in the hospital. What assessment finding indicates that goals for a priority diagnosis are being met? a. 100% of meals being eaten by the client b. Intact skin behind the ears c. The client understanding the need for oxygen d. Unchanged weight for the past 3 days
B ~ Oxygen tubing can cause pressure ulcers, so clients using oxygen have the nursing diagnosis of Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity. Intact skin behind the ears indicates that goals for this diagnosis are being met. Nutrition and weight are not related to using oxygen. Understanding the need for oxygen is important but would not take priority over a physical problem.
A client is scheduled to have a tracheostomy placed in an hour. What action by the nurse is the priority? a. Administer prescribed anxiolytic medication. b. Ensure informed consent is on the chart. c. Reinforce any teaching done previously. d. Start the preoperative antibiotic infusion.
B ~ Since this is an operative procedure, the client must sign an informed consent, which must be on the chart. Giving anxiolytics and antibiotics and reinforcing teaching may also be required but do not take priority.
A nurse teaches a client who is prescribed nicotine replacement therapy. Which statement should the nurse include in this clients teaching? a. Make a list of reasons why smoking is a bad habit. b. Rise slowly when getting out of bed in the morning. c. Smoking while taking this medication will increase your risk of a stroke. d. Stopping this medication suddenly increases your risk for a heart attack.
C ~ Clients who smoke while using drugs for nicotine replacement therapy increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. Nurses should teach clients not to smoke while taking this drug. The other responses are inappropriate.
When assessing a newborn infant's heart rate, which technique is most important for the nurse to use? A. Quiet the infant before counting the heart rate. B. Listen at the apex of the heart. C. Count the heart rate for at least one full minute. D. Palpate the umbilical cord
C ~ It is most important for the nurse to count the heart rate for at least one full minute so that irregularities or murmurs can be detected.
A dyspneic male client refuses to wear an oxygen face mask because he states it is "smothering" him. What oxygen delivery system is best for this client? A. Rebreather mask. B. Venturi mask. C. Nasal cannula. D. Hand-held nebulizer
C ~ Nasal cannula will deliver O2 w/o covering the client's face
A nurse obtains the health history of a client who is recently diagnosed with lung cancer and identifies that the client has a 60 pack-year smoking history. Which action is most important for the nurse to take when interviewing this client? a. Tell the client that he needs to quit smoking to stop further cancer development. b. Encourage the client to be completely honest about both tobacco and marijuana use. c. Maintain a nonjudgmental attitude to avoid causing the client to feel guilty. d. Avoid giving the client false hope regarding cancer treatment and prognosis.
C ~ Smoking history includes the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, marijuana, and other controlled substances. Because the client may have guilt or denial about this habit, assume a nonjudgmental attitude during the interview. This will encourage the client to be honest about the exposure. Ask the client whether any of these substances are used now or were used in the past. Assess whether the client has passive exposure to smoke in the home or workplace. If the client smokes, ask for how long, how many packs per day, and whether he or she has quit smoking (and how long ago). Document the smoking history in pack-years (number of packs smoked daily multiplied by the number of years the client has smoked). Quitting smoking may not stop further cancer development. This statement would be giving the client false hope, which should be avoided, but is not as important as maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude.
Based on the analysis of the client's atrial fibrillation, the nurse should prepare the client for which treatment protocol? A. Diuretic therapy. B. Pacemaker implantation. C. Anticoagulation therapy. D. Cardiac catheterization
C ~ The client is experiencing atrial fibrillation, and the nurse should prepare the client for anticoagulation therapy which should be prescribed before rhythm control therapies to prevent cardioembolic events which result from blood pooling in the fibrillating atria. (A, B, and D) are not indicated.
A student nurse is providing tracheostomy care. What action by the student requires intervention by the instructor? a. Holding the device securely when changing ties b. Suctioning the client first if secretions are present c. Tying a square knot at the back of the neck d. Using half-strength peroxide for cleansing
C ~ To prevent pressure ulcers and for client safety, when ties are used that must be knotted, the knot should be placed at the side of the clients neck, not in back. The other actions are appropriate.
A nurse is providing care after auscultating clients breath sounds. Which assessment finding is correctly matched to the nurses primary intervention? a. Hollow sounds are heard over the trachea. The nurse increases the oxygen flow rate. b. Crackles are heard in bases. The nurse encourages the client to cough forcefully. c. Wheezes are heard in central areas. The nurse administers an inhaled bronchodilator. d. Vesicular sounds are heard over the periphery. The nurse has the client breathe deeply.
C ~ Wheezes are indicative of narrowed airways, and bronchodilators help to open the air passages. Hollow sounds are typically heard over the trachea, and no intervention is necessary. If crackles are heard, the client may need a diuretic. Crackles represent a deep interstitial process, and coughing forcefully will not help the client expectorate secretions. Vesicular sounds heard in the periphery are normal and require no intervention.
During a health fair, a 72-year-old male client tells the nurse that he is experiencing shortness of breath. Auscultation reveals crackles and wheezing in both lungs. Suspecting that the client might have chronic bronchitis, which classic symptom should the nurse expect this client to have? A. Racing pulse with exertion. B. Clubbing of the fingers. C. An increased chest diameter. D. Productive cough with grayish-white sputum.
D ~ Chronic bronchitis, one of the diseases comprising the diagnosis of COPD, is characterized by a productive cough with grayish-white sputum which usually occurs in the morning and is often ignored by smokers.
A nurse assesses a clients respiratory status. Which information is of highest priority for the nurse to obtain? a. Average daily fluid intake b. Neck circumference c. Height and weight d. Occupation and hobbies
D ~ Many respiratory problems occur as a result of chronic exposure to inhalation irritants used in a clients occupation and hobbies. Although it will be important for the nurse to assess the clients fluid intake, height, and weight, these will not be as important as determining his occupation and hobbies. Determining the clients neck circumference will not be an important part of a respiratory assessment.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a tracheostomy. The nurse notes that the tracheostomy tube is pulsing with the heartbeat as the clients pulse is being taken. No other abnormal findings are noted. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Call the operating room to inform them of a pending emergency case. b. No action is needed at this time; this is a normal finding in some clients. c. Remove the tracheostomy tube; ventilate the client with a bag-valve-mask. d. Stay with the client and have someone else call the provider immediately.
D ~ This client may have a tracheainnominate artery fistula, which can be a life-threatening emergency if the artery is breached and the client begins to hemorrhage. Since no bleeding is yet present, the nurse stays with the client and asks someone else to notify the provider. If the client begins hemorrhaging, the nurse removes the tracheostomy and applies pressure at the bleeding site. The client will need to be prepared for surgery.
