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NURS TB EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2023/2024 UPDATE A+ ASSURED SUCCESS
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Chapter 7: End-of-Life Care A nurse cares for a dying client. Which manifestation of dying should the nurse treat first? a. Anorexia b. Pain c. Nausea d. Hair loss Only symptoms that cause distress for a dying client should be treated. Such symptoms include pain, nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, and agitation. These problems interfere with the client’s comfort. Even when symptoms, such as anorexia or hair loss, disturb the family, they should be treated only if the client is distressed by their presence. The nurse should treat the client’s pain first. A nurse plans care for a client who is nearing end of life. Which question should the nurse ask when developing this client’s plan of care? a. “Is your advance directive up to date and notarized?” b. “Do you want to be at home at the end of your life?” c. “Would you like a physical therapist to assist you with range-of-motion activities?” d. “Have your children discussed resuscitation with your health care provider?” When developing a plan of care for a dying client, consideration should be given for where the client wants to die. Advance directives do not need to be notarized. A physical therapist would not be involved in end-of-life care. The client should discuss resuscitation with the health care provider and children; do-not-resuscitate status should be the client’s decision, not the family’s decision. A nurse is caring for a client who has lung cancer and is dying. Which prescription should the nurse question? a. Morphine 10 mg sublingual every 6 hours PRN for pain level greater than 5 b. Albuterol (Proventil) metered dose inhaler every 4 hours PRN for wheezes c. Atropine solution 1% sublingual every 4 hours PRN for excessive oral secretions d. Sodium biphosphate (Fleet) enema once a day PRN for impacted stool Pain medications should be scheduled around the clock to maintain comfort and prevent reoccurrence of pain. The other medications are appropriate for this client. A client tells the nurse that, even though it has been 4 months since her sister’s death, she frequently finds herself crying uncontrollably. How should the nurse respond? a. “Most people move on within a few months. You should see a grief counselor.” b. “Whenever you start to cry, distract yourself from thoughts of your sister.” c. “You should try not to cry. I’m sure your sister is in a better place now.” d. “Your feelings are completely normal and may continue for a long time.” Frequent crying is not an abnormal response. The nurse should let the client know that this is normal and okay. Although the client may benefit from talking with a grief counselor, it is not unusual for her to still be grieving after a few months. The other responses are not as therapeutic because they justify or minimize the client’s response.
After teaching a client about advance directives, a nurse assesses the client’s understanding. Which statement indicates the client correctly understands the teaching? a. “An advance directive will keep my children from selling my home when I’m old.” b. “An advance directive will be completed as soon as I’m incapacitated and can’t think for myself.” c. “An advance directive will specify what I want done when I can no longer make decisions about health care.” d. “An advance directive will allow me to keep my money out of the reach of my family.” An advance directive is a written document prepared by a competent individual that specifies what, if any, extraordinary actions a person would want taken when he or she can no longer make decisions about personal health care. It does not address issues such as the client’s residence or financial matters. A nurse teaches a client who is considering being admitted to hospice. Which statement should the nurse include in this client’s teaching? a. “Hospice admission has specific criteria. You may not be a viable candidate, so we will look at alternative plans for your discharge.” b. “Hospice care focuses on a holistic approach to health care. It is designed not to hasten death, but rather to relieve symptoms.” c. “Hospice care will not help with your symptoms of depression. I will refer you to the facility’s counseling services instead.” d. “You seem to be experiencing some difficulty with this stage of the grieving process. Let’s talk about your feelings.” As both a philosophy and a system of care, hospice care uses an interdisciplinary approach to assess and address the holistic needs of clients and families to facilitate quality of life and a peaceful death. This holistic approach neither hastens nor postpones death but provides relief of symptoms experienced by the dying client. A nurse is caring for a dying client. The client’s spouse states, “I think he is choking to death.” How should the nurse respond? a. “Do not worry. The choking sound is normal during the dying process.” b. “I will administer more morphine to keep your husband comfortable.” c. “I can ask the respiratory therapist to suction secretions out through his nose.” d. “I will have another nurse assist me to turn your husband on his side.” The choking sound or “death rattle” is common in dying clients. The nurse should acknowledge the spouse’s concerns and provide interventions that will reduce the choking sounds. Repositioning the client onto one side with a towel under the mouth to collect secretions is the best intervention. The nurse should not minimize the spouse’s concerns. Morphine will assist with comfort but will not decrease the choking sounds. Nasotracheal suctioning is not appropriate in a dying client. The nurse is teaching a family member about various types of complementary therapies that might be effective for relieving the dying client’s anxiety and restlessness. Which statement made by the family member indicates understanding of the nurse’s teaching? a. “Maybe we should just hire an around-the-clock sitter to stay with Grandmother.” b. “I have some of her favorite hymns on a CD that I could bring for music therapy.” c. “I don’t think that she’ll need pain medication along with her herbal treatments.” d. “I will burn therapeutic incense in the room so we can stop the anxiety pills.” Music therapy is a complementary therapy that may produce relaxation by quieting the mind and removing a client’s inner restlessness. Hiring an around-the-clock sitter does not demonstrate that the client’s family understands complementary therapies.
A nurse is caring for a terminally ill client who has just died in a hospital setting with family members at the bedside. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Call for emergency assistance so that resuscitation procedures can begin. b. Ask family members if they would like to spend time alone with the client. c. Ensure that a death certificate has been completed by the physician. d. Request family members to prepare the client’s body for the funeral home. Before moving the client’s body to the funeral home, the nurse should ask family members if they would like to be alone with the client. Emergency assistance will not be necessary. Although it is important to ensure that a death certificate has been completed before the client is moved to the mortuary, the nurse first should ask family members if they would like to be alone with the client. The client’s family should not be expected to prepare the body for the funeral home. A nurse assesses a client who is dying. Which manifestation of a dying client should the nurse assess to determine whether the client is near death? a. Level of consciousness b. Respiratory rate c. Bowel sounds d. Pain level on a 0-to-10 scale Although all of these assessments should be performed during the dying process, periods of apnea and Cheyne- Strokes respirations indicate death is near. As peripheral circulation decreases, the client’s level of consciousness and bowel sounds decrease, and the client would be unable to provide a numeric number on a pain scale. Even with these other symptoms, the nurse should continue to assess respiratory rate throughout the dying process. As the rate drops significantly and breathing becomes agonal, death is near. A nurse is caring for a client who is terminally ill. The client’s spouse states, “I am concerned because he does not want to eat.” How should the nurse respond? a. “Let him know that food is available if he wants it, but do not insist that he eat.” b. “A feeding tube can be placed in the nose to provide important nutrients.” c. “Force him to eat even if he does not feel hungry, or he will die sooner.” d. “He is getting all the nutrients he needs through his intravenous catheter.” When family members understand that the client is not suffering from hunger and is not “starving to death,” they may allow the client to determine when, what, or if to eat. Often, as death approaches, metabolic needs decrease and clients do not feel the sensation of hunger. Forcing them to eat frustrates the client and the family. A nurse discusses inpatient hospice with a client and the client’s family. A family member expresses concern that her loved one will receive only custodial care. How should the nurse respond? a. “The goal of palliative care is to provide the greatest degree of comfort possible and help the dying person enjoy whatever time is left.” b. “Palliative care will release you from the burden of having to care for someone in the home. It does not mean that curative treatment will stop.” c. “A palliative care facility is like a nursing home and costs less than a hospital because only pain medications are given.” d. “Your relative is unaware of her surroundings and will not notice the difference between her home and a palliative care facility.” Palliative care provides an increased level of personal care designed to manage symptom distress. The focus is on pain control and helping the relative die with dignity.
An intensive care nurse discusses withdrawal of care with a client’s family. The family expresses concerns related to discontinuation of therapy. How should the nurse respond? a. “I understand your concerns, but in this state, discontinuation of care is not a form of active euthanasia.” b. “You will need to talk to the provider because I am not legally allowed to participate in the withdrawal of life support.” c. “I realize this is a difficult decision. Discontinuation of therapy will allow the client to die a natural death.” d. “There is no need to worry. Most religious organizations support the client’s decision to stop medical treatment.” The nurse should validate the family’s concerns and provide accurate information about the discontinuation of therapy. The other statements address specific issues related to the withdrawal of care but do not provide appropriate information about their purpose. If the client’s family asks for specific information about euthanasia, legal, or religious issues, the nurse should provide unbiased information about these topics. A hospice nurse is caring for a variety of clients who are dying. Which end-of-life and death ritual is paired with the correct religion? a. Roman Catholic – Autopsies are not allowed except under special circumstances. b. Christian – Upon death, a religious leader should perform rituals of bathing and wrapping the body in cloth. c. Judaism – A person who is extremely ill and dying should not be left alone. d. Islam – An ill or dying person should receive the Sacrament of the Sick. According to Jewish law, a person who is extremely ill or dying should not be left alone. Orthodox Jews do not allow autopsies except under special circumstances. The Islamic faith requires a religious leader to perform rituals of bathing and wrapping the body in cloth upon death. A Catholic priest performs the Sacrament of the Sick for ill or dying people.
1. A hospice nurse is caring for a dying client and her family members. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.) a. Teach family members about physical signs of impending death. b. Encourage the management of adverse symptoms. c. Assist family members by offering an explanation for their loss. d. Encourage reminiscence by both client and family members. e. Avoid spirituality because the client’s and the nurse’s beliefs may not be congruent. The nurse should teach family members about the physical signs of death, because family members often become upset when they see physiologic changes in their loved one. Palliative care includes management of symptoms so that the peaceful death of the client is facilitated. Reminiscence will help both the client and family members cope with the dying process. The nurse is not expected to explain why this is happening to the family’s loved one. The nurse can encourage spirituality if the client is agreeable, regardless of whether the client’s religion is the same. 2. A nurse admits an older adult client to the hospital. Which criterion should the nurse use to determine if the client can make his own medical decisions? (Select all that apply.) a. Can communicate his treatment preferences b. Is able to read and write at an eighth-grade level c. Is oriented enough to understand information provided d. Can evaluate and deliberate information e. Has completed an advance directive To have decision-making ability, a person must be able to perform three tasks: receive information (but not necessarily oriented ´ 4); evaluate, deliberate, and mentally manipulate information; and communicate a treatment preference. The client does not have to read or write at a specific level.
3. A hospice nurse plans care for a client who is experiencing pain. Which complementary therapies should the nurse incorporate in this client’s pain management plan? (Select all that apply.) a. Play music that the client enjoys. b. Massage tissue that is tender from radiation therapy. c. Rub lavender lotion on the client’s feet. d. Ambulate the client in the hall twice a day. e. Administer intravenous morphine. Complementary therapies for pain management include massage therapy, music therapy, Therapeutic Touch, and aromatherapy. Nurses should not massage over sites of tissue damage from radiation therapy. Ambulation and intravenous morphine are not complementary therapies for pain management. 4. A nurse teaches a client’s family members about signs and symptoms of approaching death. Which manifestations should the nurse include in this teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. Warm and flushed extremities b. Long periods of insomnia c. Increased respiratory rate d. Decreased appetite e. Congestion and gurgling Common physical signs and symptoms of approaching death including coolness of extremities, increased sleeping, irregular and slowed breathing rate, a decrease in fluid and food intake, congestion and gurgling, incontinence, disorientation, and restlessness. **Chapter 8: Concepts of Emergency and Trauma Nursing
d. A 48-year-old with a simple fracture of the lower leg The client with pale, cool, clammy skin is in shock and needs immediate medical attention. The mother does not have injuries and so would be the lowest priority. The other two people need medical attention soon, but not at the expense of a person in shock.
4. While triaging clients in a crowded emergency department, a nurse assesses a client who presents with symptoms of tuberculosis. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula. b. Administer intravenous 0.9% saline solution. c. Transfer the client to a negative-pressure room. d. Obtain a sputum culture and sensitivity. A client with signs and symptoms of tuberculosis or other airborne pathogens should be placed in a negative- pressure room to prevent contamination of staff, clients, and family members in the crowded emergency department. 5. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department (ED). Which client should the nurse prioritize to receive care first? a. A 22-year-old with a painful and swollen right wrist b. A 45-year-old reporting chest pain and diaphoresis c. A 60-year-old reporting difficulty swallowing and nausea d. An 81-year-old with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and a temperature of 101° F A client experiencing chest pain and diaphoresis would be classified as emergent and would be triaged immediately to a treatment room in the ED. The other clients are more stable. 6. A nurse is evaluating levels and functions of trauma centers. Which function is appropriately paired with the level of the trauma center? a. Level I – Located within remote areas and provides advanced life support within resource capabilities b. Level II – Located within community hospitals and provides care to most injured clients c. Level III – Located in rural communities and provides only basic care to clients d. Level IV – Located in large teaching hospitals and provides a full continuum of trauma care for all clients Level I trauma centers are usually located in large teaching hospital systems and provide a full continuum of trauma care for all clients. Both Level II and Level III facilities are usually located in community hospitals. These trauma centers provide care for most clients and transport to Level I centers when client needs exceed resource capabilities. Level IV trauma centers are usually located in rural and remote areas. These centers provide basic care, stabilization, and advanced life support while transfer arrangements to higher-level trauma centers are made. 7. Emergency medical technicians arrive at the emergency department with an unresponsive client who has an oxygen mask in place. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Assess that the client is breathing adequately. b. Insert a large-bore intravenous line. c. Place the client on a cardiac monitor. d. Assess for the best neurologic response. The highest-priority intervention in the primary survey is to establish that the client is breathing adequately. Even though this client has an oxygen mask on, he or she may not be breathing, or may be breathing inadequately with the device in place. 8. A trauma client with multiple open wounds is brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest.
Which action should the nurse take prior to providing advanced cardiac life support? a. Contact the on-call orthopedic surgeon. b. Don personal protective equipment. c. Notify the Rapid Response Team. d. Obtain a complete history from the paramedic. Nurses must recognize and plan for a high risk of contamination with blood and body fluids when engaging in trauma resuscitation. Standard Precautions should be taken in all resuscitation situations and at other times when exposure to blood and body fluids is likely. Proper attire consists of an impervious cover gown, gloves, eye protection, a facemask, a surgical cap, and shoe covers.
9. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client should be considered “urgent”? a. A 20-year-old female with a chest stab wound and tachycardia b. A 45-year-old homeless man with a skin rash and sore throat c. A 75-year-old female with a cough and a temperature of 102° F d. A 50-year-old male with new-onset confusion and slurred speech A client with a cough and a temperature of 102° F is urgent. This client is at risk for deterioration and needs to be seen quickly, but is not in an immediately life-threatening situation. The client with a chest stab wound and tachycardia and the client with new-onset confusion and slurred speech should be triaged as emergent. The client with a skin rash and a sore throat is not at risk for deterioration and would be triaged as nonurgent. 10. An emergency department nurse is caring for a client who has died from a suspected homicide. Which action should the nurse take? a. Remove all tubes and wires in preparation for the medical examiner. b. Limit the number of visitors to minimize the family’s trauma. c. Consult the bereavement committee to follow up with the grieving family. d. Communicate the client’s death to the family in a simple and concrete manner. When dealing with clients and families in crisis, communicate in a simple and concrete manner to minimize confusion. Tubes must remain in place for the medical examiner. Family should be allowed to view the body. Offering to call for additional family support during the crisis is suggested. The bereavement committee should be consulted, but this is not the priority at this time. 11. An emergency department (ED) case manager is consulted for a client who is homeless. Which intervention should the case manager provide? a. Communicate client needs and restrictions to support staff. b. Prescribe low-cost antibiotics to treat community-acquired infection. c. Provide referrals to subsidized community-based health clinics. d. Offer counseling for substance abuse and mental health disorders. Case management interventions include facilitating referrals to primary care providers who are accepting new clients or to subsidized community-based health clinics for clients or families in need of routine services. The ED nurse is accountable for communicating pertinent staff considerations, client needs, and restrictions to support staff (e.g., physical limitations, isolation precautions) to ensure that ongoing client and staff safety issues are addressed. The ED physician prescribes medications and treatments. The psychiatric nurse team evaluates clients with emotional behaviors or mental illness and facilitates the follow-up treatment plan, including possible admission to an appropriate psychiatric facility. 12. An emergency department nurse is caring for a client who is homeless. Which action should the nurse take to gain the client’s trust? a. Speak in a quiet and monotone voice.
b. Avoid eye contact with the client. c. Listen to the client’s concerns and needs. d. Ask security to store the client’s belongings. To demonstrate behaviors that promote trust with homeless clients, the emergency room nurse should make eye contact (if culturally appropriate), speak calmly, avoid any prejudicial or stereotypical remarks, show genuine care and concern by listening, and follow through on promises. The nurse should also respect the client’s belongings and personal space.
13. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client should the nurse classify as “nonurgent?” a. A 44-year-old with chest pain and diaphoresis b. A 50-year-old with chest trauma and absent breath sounds c. A 62-year-old with a simple fracture of the left arm d. A 79-year-old with a temperature of 104° F A client in a nonurgent category can tolerate waiting several hours for health care services without a significant risk of clinical deterioration. The client with a simple arm fracture and palpable radial pulses is currently stable, is not at significant risk of clinical deterioration, and would be considered nonurgent. The client with chest pain and diaphoresis and the client with chest trauma are emergent owing to the potential for clinical deterioration and would be seen immediately. The client with a high fever may be stable now but also has a risk of deterioration. 1. A nurse is caring for clients in a busy emergency department. Which actions should the nurse take to ensure client and staff safety? (Select all that apply.) a. Leave the stretcher in the lowest position with rails down so that the client can access the bathroom. b. Use two identifiers before each intervention and before mediation administration. c. Attempt de-escalation strategies for clients who demonstrate aggressive behaviors. d. Search the belongings of clients with altered mental status to gain essential medical information. e. Isolate clients who have immune suppression disorders to prevent hospital-acquired infections. To ensure client and staff safety, nurses should use two identifiers per The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals; follow the hospital’s security plan, including de-escalation strategies for people who demonstrate aggressive or violent tendencies; and search belongings to identify essential medical information. Nurses should also use standard fall prevention interventions, including leaving stretchers in the lowest position with rails up, and isolating clients who present with signs and symptoms of contagious infectious disorders. 2. An emergency department (ED) nurse is preparing to transfer a client to the trauma intensive care unit. Which information should the nurse include in the nurse-to-nurse hand-off report? (Select all that apply.) a. Mechanism of injury b. Diagnostic test results c. Immunizations d. List of home medications e. Isolation precautions Hand-off communication should be comprehensive so that the receiving nurse can continue care for the client fluidly. Communication should be concise and should include only the most essential information for a safe transition in care. Hand-off communication should include the client’s situation (reason for being in the ED), brief medical history, assessment and diagnostic findings, Transmission-Based Precautions needed, interventions provided, and response to those interventions. 3. An emergency room nurse is caring for a trauma client. Which interventions should the nurse perform during the primary survey? (Select all that apply.)
a. Foley catheterization b. Needle decompression c. Initiating IV fluids d. Splinting open fractures e. Endotracheal intubation f. Removing wet clothing g. Laceration repair
4. The complex care provided during an emergency requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Which interdisciplinary team members are paired with the correct responsibilities? (Select all that apply.) a. Psychiatric crisis nurse – Interacts with clients and families when sudden illness, serious injury, or death of a loved one may cause a crisis b. Forensic nurse examiner – Performs rapid assessments to ensure clients with the highest acuity receive the quickest evaluation, treatment, and prioritization of resources c. Triage nurse – Provides basic life support interventions such as oxygen, basic wound care, splinting, spinal immobilization, and monitoring of vital signs d. Emergency medical technician – Obtains client histories, collects evidence, and offers counseling and follow- up care for victims of rape, child abuse, and domestic violence e. Paramedic – Provides prehospital advanced life support, including cardiac monitoring, advanced airway management, and medication administration The psychiatric crisis nurse evaluates clients with emotional behaviors or mental illness and facilitates follow- up treatment plans. The psychiatric crisis nurse also works with clients and families when experiencing a crisis. Paramedics are advanced life support providers who can perform advanced techniques that may include cardiac monitoring, advanced airway management and intubation, establishing IV access, and administering drugs en route to the emergency department. The forensic nurse examiner is trained to recognize evidence of abuse and to intervene on the client’s behalf. The forensic nurse examiner will obtain client histories, collect evidence, and offer counseling and follow-up care for victims of rape, child abuse, and domestic violence. The triage nurse performs rapid assessments to ensure clients with the highest acuity receive the quickest evaluation, treatment, and prioritization of resources. The emergency medical technician is usually the first caregiver and provides basic life support and transportation to the emergency department. 5. A nurse prepares to discharge an older adult client home from the emergency department (ED). Which actions should the nurse take to prevent future ED visits? (Select all that apply.) a. Provide medical supplies to the family. b. Consult a home health agency. c. Encourage participation in community activities. d. Screen for depression and suicide. e. Complete a functional assessment. Due to the high rate of suicide among older adults, a nurse should assess all older adults for depression and suicide. The nurse should also screen older adults for functional assessment, cognitive assessment, and risk for falls to prevent future ED visits. Chapter 13: Infusion Therapy 1.A nurse is caring for a client who has just had a central venous access line inserted. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Begin the prescribed infusion via the new access. b. Ensure an x-ray is completed to confirm placement. c. Check medication calculations with a second RN. d. Make sure the solution is appropriate for a central line.
A central venous access device, once placed, needs an x-ray confirmation of proper placement before it is used. The bedside nurse would be responsible for beginning the infusion once placement has been verified. Any IV solution can be given through a central line. 2.A nurse assesses a client who has a radial artery catheter. Which assessment should the nurse complete first? a. Amount of pressure in fluid container b. Date of catheter tubing change c. Percent of heparin in infusion container d. Presence of an ulnar pulse An intra-arterial catheter may cause arterial occlusion, which can lead to absent or decreased perfusion to the extremity. Assessment of an ulnar pulse is one way to assess circulation to the arm in which the catheter is located. The nurse would note that there is enough pressure in the fluid container to keep the system flushed, and would check to see whether the catheter tubing needs to be changed. However, these are not assessments of greatest concern. Because of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, heparin is not used in most institutions for an arterial catheter. 3.A nurse teaches a client who is being discharged home with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Which statement should the nurse include in this client’s teaching? “Avoid carrying your grandchild with the arm that has a. the central catheter.” “Be sure to place the arm with the central catheter in a b. sling during the day.” “Flush the peripherally inserted central catheter line c. with normal saline daily.” “You can use the arm with the central catheter for most d. activities of daily living.” A properly placed PICC (in the antecubital fossa or the basilic vein) allows the client considerable freedom of movement. Clients can participate in most activities of daily living; however, heavy lifting can dislodge the catheter or occlude the lumen. Although it is important to keep the insertion site and tubing dry, the client can shower. The device is flushed with heparin. 4.A nurse is caring for a client who is having a subclavian central venous catheter inserted. The client begins to report chest pain and difficulty breathing. After administering oxygen, which action should the nurse take next? a. Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet. b. Prepare to assist with chest tube insertion. c. Place a sterile dressing over the IV site. d. Re-position the client into the Trendelenburg position. An insertion-related complication of central venous catheters is a pneumothorax. Signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax include chest pain and dyspnea. Treatment includes removing the catheter, administering oxygen, and placing a chest tube. Pain is caused by the pneumothorax, which must be taken care of with a chest
tube insertion. Use of a sterile dressing and placement of the client in a Trendelenburg position are not indicated for the primary problem of a pneumothorax. 5.A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an epidural infusion for pain management. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention from the nurse? a. Redness at the catheter insertion site b. Report of headache and stiff neck c. Temperature of 100.1° F (37.8° C) d. Pain rating of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 Complications of epidural therapy include infection, bleeding, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, occlusion of the catheter lumen, and catheter migration. Headache, neck stiffness, and a temperature higher than 101° F are signs of meningitis and should be reported to the provider immediately. The other findings are important but do not require immediate intervention. 6.A nurse assesses a client who had an intraosseous catheter placed in the left leg. Which assessment finding is of greatest concern? a. The catheter has been in place for 20 hours. The client has poor vascular access in the upper b. extremities. c. The catheter is placed in the proximal tibia. d. The client’s left lower extremity is cool to the touch. Compartment syndrome is a condition in which increased tissue perfusion in a confined anatomic space causes decreased blood flow to the area. A cool extremity can signal the possibility of this syndrome. All other findings are important; however, the possible development of compartment syndrome requires immediate intervention because the client could require amputation of the limb if the nurse does not correctly assess this perfusion problem. 7.A nurse is assessing clients who have intravenous therapy prescribed. Which assessment finding for a client with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) requires immediate attention? a. The initial site dressing is 3 days old. b. The PICC was inserted 4 weeks ago. c. A securement device is absent. d. Upper extremity swelling is noted. Upper extremity swelling could indicate infiltration, and the PICC will need to be removed. The initial dressing over the PICC site should be changed within 24 hours. This does not require immediate attention, but the swelling does. The dwell time for PICCs can be months or even years. Securement devices are being used more often now to secure the catheter in place and prevent complications such as phlebitis and infiltration. The IV should have one, but this does not take priority over the client whose arm is swollen. 8.A nurse assesses a client’s peripheral IV site, and notices edema and tenderness above the site. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Apply cold compresses to the IV site.
b. Elevate the extremity on a pillow. c. Flush the catheter with normal saline. d. Stop the infusion of intravenous fluids. Infiltration occurs when the needle dislodges partially or completely from the vein. Signs of infiltration include edema and tenderness above the site. The nurse should stop the infusion and remove the catheter. Cold compresses and elevation of the extremity can be done after the catheter is discontinued to increase client comfort. Alternatively, warm compresses may be prescribed per institutional policy and may help speed circulation to the area. 9.While assessing a client’s peripheral IV site, the nurse observes a streak of red along the vein path and palpates a 4-cm venous cord. How should the nurse document this finding? a. “Grade 3 phlebitis at IV site” b. “Infection at IV site” c. “Thrombosed area at IV site” d. “Infiltration at IV site” The presence of a red streak and palpable cord indicates grade 3 phlebitis. No information in the description indicates that infection, thrombosis, or infiltration is present. 10.A nurse responds to an IV pump alarm related to increased pressure. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Check for kinking of the catheter. b. Flush the catheter with a thrombolytic enzyme. c. Get a new infusion pump. d. Remove the IV catheter. Fluid flow through the infusion system requires that pressure on the external side be greater than pressure at the catheter tip. Fluid flow can be slowed for many reasons. A common reason, and one that is easy to correct, is a kinked catheter. If this is not the cause of the pressure alarm, the nurse may have to ascertain whether a clot has formed inside the catheter lumen, or if the pump is no longer functional. Removal of the IV catheter and placement of a new IV catheter should be completed when no other option has resolved the problem. 11.A nurse prepares to insert a peripheral venous catheter in an older adult client. Which action should the nurse take to protect the client’s skin during this procedure? a. Lower the extremity below the level of the heart. b. Apply warm compresses to the extremity. c. Tap the skin lightly and avoid slapping. d. Place a washcloth between the skin and tourniquet. To protect the client’s skin, the nurse should place a washcloth or the client’s gown between the skin and tourniquet. The other interventions are methods to distend the vein but will not protect the client’s skin. 12.A nurse delegates care to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which statement should the nurse include when delegating hygiene for a client who has a vascular access device?
“Provide a bed bath instead of letting the client take a a. shower.” b. “Use sterile technique when changing the dressing.” “Disconnect the intravenous fluid tubing prior to the c. client’s bath.” “Use a plastic bag to cover the extremity with the d. device.” The nurse should ask the UAP to cover the extremity with the vascular access device with a plastic bag or wrap to keep the dressing and site dry. The client may take a shower with a vascular device. The nurse should disconnect IV fluid tubing prior to the bath and change the dressing using sterile technique if necessary. These options are not appropriate to delegate to the UAP. 13.A nurse teaches a client who is prescribed a central vascular access device. Which statement should the nurse include in this client’s teaching? “You will need to wear a sling on your arm while the a. device is in place.” “There is no risk of infection because sterile technique b. will be used during insertion.” “Ask all providers to vigorously clean the connections c. prior to accessing the device.” “You will not be able to take a bath with this vascular d. access device.” Clients should be actively engaged in the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections and taught to remind all providers to perform hand hygiene and vigorously clean connections prior to accessing the device. The other statements are incorrect. 14.A nurse is caring for a client with a peripheral vascular access device who is experiencing pain, redness, and swelling at the site. After removing the device, which action should the nurse take to relieve pain? a. Administer topical lidocaine to the site. b. Place warm compresses on the site. c. Administer prescribed oral pain medication. d. Massage the site with scented oils. At the first sign of phlebitis, the catheter should be removed and warm compresses used to relieve pain. The other options are not appropriate for this type of pain. 15.A nurse assesses a client who was started on intraperitoneal therapy 5 days ago. The client reports abdominal pain and “feeling warm.” For which complication of this therapy should the nurse assess this client? a. Allergic reaction b. Bowel obstruction c. Catheter lumen occlusion
d. Infection Fever, abdominal pain, abdominal rigidity, and rebound tenderness may be present in the client who has peritonitis related to intraperitoneal therapy. Peritonitis is preventable by using strict aseptic technique in handling all equipment and infusion supplies. An allergic reaction would occur earlier in the course of treatment. Bowel obstruction and catheter lumen occlusion can occur but would present clinically in different ways. 16.A medical-surgical nurse is concerned about the incidence of complications related to IV therapy, including bloodstream infection. Which intervention should the nurse suggest to the management team to make the biggest impact on decreasing complications? a. Initiate a dedicated team to insert access devices. b. Require additional education for all nurses. c. Limit the use of peripheral venous access devices. Perform quality control testing on skin preparation d. products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends having a dedicated IV team to reduce complications, save money, and improve client satisfaction and outcomes. In-service education would always be helpful, but it would not have the same outcomes as an IV team. Limiting IV starts to the most experienced nurses does not allow newer nurses to gain this expertise. The quality of skin preparation products is only one aspect of IV insertion that could contribute to infection. 17.A nurse prepares to flush a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line with 50 units of heparin. The pharmacy supplies a multi-dose vial of heparin with a concentration of 100 units/mL. Which of the syringes shown below should the nurse use to draw up and administer the heparin? a. b. c. d. 10 mL Always use a 10-mL syringe when flushing PICC lines because a smaller syringe creates higher pressure, which could rupture the lumen of the PICC. 18.A home care nurse prepares to administer intravenous medication to a client. The nurse assesses the site and reviews the client’s chart prior to administering the medication: January 23 (Today): Right upper extremity PICC is intact, patent, and has a good blood return. Site clean and free from manifestations of infiltration, irritation, and infection. –Sue Franks, RN. January 20: Purulent drainage from sacral wound. Wound cleansed and dressing changed. Dr. Smith notified and updated on client status. New orders received for intravenous antibiotics. –Sue Franks, RN. January 13: Client alert and oriented. Sacral wound dressing changed. –Sue Franks, RN. January 6: Right upper extremity PICC inserted. No complications. Discharged with home health care. –Dr. Smith Based on the information provided, which action should the nurse take?
a. Notify the health care provider. b. Administer the prescribed medication. c. Discontinue the PICC. d. Switch the medication to the oral route. A PICC that is functioning well without inflammation or infection may remain in place for months or even years. Because the line shows no signs of complications, it is permissible to administer the IV antibiotic. There is no need to call the physician to have the IV route changed to an oral route. 1.A registered nurse (RN) delegates client care to an experienced licensed practical nurse (LPN). Which standards should guide the RN when delegating aspects of IV therapy to the LPN? (Select all that apply.) a. State Nurse Practice Act b. The facility’s Policies and Procedures manual c. The LPN’s level of education and experience d. The Joint Commission’s goals and criterion e. Client needs and prescribed orders The state Nurse Practice Act will have the information the RN needs, and in some states, LPNs are able to perform specific aspects of IV therapy. However, in a client care situation, it may be difficult and time- consuming to find it and read what LPNs are permitted to do, so another good solution would be for the nurse to check facility policy and follow it. 2.A nurse assesses a client who has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). For which complications should the nurse assess? (Select all that apply.) a. Phlebitis b. Pneumothorax c. Thrombophlebitis d. Excessive bleeding e. Extravasation Although the complication rate with PICCs is fairly low, the most common complications are phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, and catheter-related bloodstream infection. Pneumothorax, excessive bleeding, and extravasation are not common complications. 3.A nurse prepares to administer a blood transfusion to a client, and checks the blood label with a second registered nurse using the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) universal bar-coding system to ensure the right blood for the right client. Which components must be present on the blood label in bar code and in eye-readable format? (Select all that apply.) a. Unique facility identifier b. Lot number related to the donor c. Name of the client receiving blood d. ABO group and Rh type of the donor
e. Blood type of the client receiving blood The ISBT universal bar-coding system includes four components: (1) the unique facility identifier, (2) the lot number relating to the donor, (3) the product code, and (4) the ABO group and Rh type of the donor. 4.A nurse assists with the insertion of a central vascular access device. Which actions should the nurse ensure are completed to prevent a catheter-related bloodstream infection? (Select all that apply.) Include a review for the need of the device each day in a. the client’s plan of care. Remind the provider to perform hand hygiene prior to b. starting the procedure. Cleanse the preferred site with alcohol and let it dry c. completely before insertion. Ask everyone in the room to wear a surgical mask d. during the procedure. Plan to complete a sterile dressing change on the device e. every day. 1.A client is prescribed 1000 mL of normal saline to infuse over 24 hours. At what rate should the nurse set the pump (mL/hr) to deliver this infusion? ( Record your answer using a whole number. ) mL/hr 42 1000 mL ÷ 24 hours = 41.6 mL/hr. 2.A client is prescribed 250 mL of normal saline to infuse over 4 hours via gravity. The facility supplies gravity tubing with a drip factor of 15 drops/mL. At what rate (drops/min) should the nurse set the infusion to deliver? ( Record your answer using a whole number. ) 16 drops/min Chapter 15: Care of Intraoperative Patients
1. The circulating nurse is plugging in a piece of equipment and notes that the cord is frayed. What action by the nurse is best? a. Call maintenance for repair. b. Check the machine before using. c. Get another piece of equipment. d. Notify the charge nurse. The circulating nurse is responsible for client safety. If an electrical cord is frayed, the risk of fire or sparking increases. The nurse should obtain a replacement. The nurse should also tag the original equipment for repair as per agency policy. Checking the equipment is not important as the nurse should not even attempt to use it. Calling maintenance or requesting maintenance per facility protocol is important, but first ensure client safety by having a properly working piece of equipment for the procedure about to take place. The charge nurse probably does need to know of the need for equipment repair, but ensuring client safety is the priority. 2. The circulating nurse and preoperative nurse are reviewing the chart of a client scheduled for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). What information on the chart needs to be reported to the surgeon as a priority? a. Allergies noted and allergy band on b. Consent for MIS procedure
only c. No prior anesthesia exposure d. NPO status for the last 8 hours All MIS procedures have the potential for becoming open procedures depending on findings and complications. The client’s consent should include this possibility. The nurse should report this finding to the surgeon prior to surgery taking place. Having allergies noted and an allergy band applied is standard procedure. Not having any prior surgical or anesthesia exposure is not the priority. Maintaining NPO status as prescribed is standard procedure.
3. A client is having robotic surgery. The circulating nurse observes the instruments being inserted, then the surgeon appears to “break scrub” when going to the console and sitting down. What action by the nurse is best? a. Call a “time-out” to discuss sterile procedure and scrub technique. b. Document the time the robotic portion of the procedure begins. c. Inform the surgeon that the scrub preparation has been compromised. d. Report the surgeon’s actions to the charge nurse and unit manager. During a robotic operative procedure, the surgeon inserts the articulating arms into the client, then “breaks scrub” to sit at the viewing console to perform the operation. The nurse should document the time the robotic portion of the procedure began. There is no need for the other interventions. 4. The circulating nurse is in the operating room and sees the surgeon don gown and gloves using appropriate sterile procedure. The surgeon then folds the hands together and places them down below the hips. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Ask the surgeon to change the sterile gown. b. Do nothing; this is acceptable sterile procedure. c. Inform the surgeon that the sterile field has been broken. d. Obtain a new pair of sterile gloves for the surgeon to put on. The surgical gown is considered sterile from the chest to the level of the surgical field. By placing the hands down by the hips, the surgeon has broken sterile field. 5. A client is in stage 2 of general anesthesia. What action by the nurse is most important? a. Keeping the room quiet and calm b. Being prepared to suction the airway c. Positioning the client correctly d. Warming the client with blankets During stage 2 of general anesthesia (excitement, delirium), the client can vomit and aspirate. The nurse must be ready to react to this potential occurrence by being prepared to suction the client’s airway. Keeping the room quiet and calm does help the client enter the anesthetic state, but is not the priority. Positioning the client usually occurs during stage 3 (operative anesthesia). Keeping the client warm is important throughout to prevent hypothermia. 6. A client is having surgery. The circulating nurse notes the client’s oxygen saturation is 90% and the heart rate is 110 beats/min. What action by the nurse is best? a. Assess the client’s end-tidal carbon dioxide level. b. Document the findings in the client’s chart. c. Inform the anesthesia provider of these values. d. Prepare to administer dantrolene sodium (Dantrium). Malignant hyperthermia is a rare but serious reaction to anesthesia. The triad of early signs include decreased
oxygen saturation, tachycardia, and elevated end-tidal carbon dioxide (CO2) level. The nurse should quickly check the end-tidal CO2 and then report findings to the anesthesia provider and surgeon. Documentation is vital, but not the most important action at this stage. Dantrolene sodium is the drug of choice if the client does have malignant hyperthermia.
7. A nurse is monitoring a client after moderate sedation. The nurse documents the client’s Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) score at 3. What action by the nurse is best? a. Assess the client’s gag reflex. b. Begin providing discharge instructions. c. Document findings and continue to monitor. d. Increase oxygen and notify the provider. An RSS score of 3 means the client is able to respond quickly, but only to commands. The client has not had enough time to fully arouse. The nurse should document the findings and continue to monitor per agency policy. If the client had an oral endoscopy or was intubated, checking the gag reflex would be appropriate prior to permitting eating or drinking. The client is not yet awake enough for teaching. There is no need to increase oxygen and notify the provider. 8. A client is scheduled for a below-the-knee amputation. The circulating nurse ensures the proper side is marked prior to the start of surgery. What action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Facilitate marking the site with the client and surgeon. b. Have the client mark the operative site. c. Mark the operative site with a waterproof marker. d. Tell the surgeon it is time to mark the surgical site. The Joint Commission now recommends that both the client and the surgeon mark the operative site together in order to prevent wrong-site surgery. The nurse should facilitate this process. 9. A client has received intravenous anesthesia during an operation. What action by the postanesthesia care nurse is most important? a. Assist with administering muscle relaxants to the client. b. Place the client on a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter. c. Prepare to administer intravenous antiemetics to the client. d. Prevent the client from experiencing postoperative shivering. Intravenous anesthetic agents have the potential to cause respiratory and circulatory depression. The nurse should ensure the client is on a cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter. Muscle relaxants are not indicated for this client at this time. Intravenous anesthetics have a lower rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting than other types. Shivering can occur in any client, but is more common after inhalation agents. 10. A circulating nurse has transferred an older client to the operating room. What action by the nurse is most important for this client? a. Allow the client to keep hearing aids in until anesthesia begins. b. Pad the table as appropriate for the surgical procedure. c. Position the client for maximum visualization of the site. d. Stay with the client, providing emotional comfort and support. Many older clients have sensory loss. To help prevent disorientation, facilities often allow older clients to keep their eyeglasses on and hearing aids in until the start of anesthesia. The other actions are appropriate for all operative clients. 11. A circulating nurse wishes to provide emotional support to a client who was just transferred to the operating room. What action by the nurse would be best?
a. Administer anxiolytics. b. Give the client warm blankets. c. Introduce the surgical staff. d. Remain with the client. The nurse can provide emotional support by remaining with the client until anesthesia has been provided. An extremely anxious client may need anxiolytics, but not all clients require this for emotional support. Physical comfort and introductions can also help decrease anxiety.
12. A client in the operating room has developed malignant hyperthermia. The client’s potassium is 6. mEq/L. What action by the nurse takes priority? a. Administer 10 units of regular insulin. b. Administer nifedipine (Procardia). c. Assess urine for myoglobin or blood. d. Monitor the client for dysrhythmias. For hyperkalemia in a client with malignant hyperthermia, the nurse administers 10 units of regular insulin in 50 mL of 50% dextrose. This will force potassium back into the cells rapidly. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension and dysrhythmias, and should not be used in a client with malignant hyperthermia. Assessing the urine for blood or myoglobin is important, but does not take priority. Monitoring the client for dysrhythmias is also important due to the potassium imbalance, but again does not take priority over treating the potassium imbalance. 1. A student nurse observing in the operating room notes that the functions of the Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) include which activities? (Select all that apply.) a. Dressing the surgical wound b. Grafting new or synthetic skin c. Reattaching severed nerves d. Suctioning the surgical site e. Suturing the surgical wound The CRNFA can perform tasks under the direction of the surgeon such as suturing and dressing surgical wounds, cutting away tissue, suctioning the wound to improve visibility, and holding retractors. Reattaching severed nerves and performing grafts would be the responsibility of the surgeon. 2. The nursing student observing in the perioperative area notes the unique functions of the circulating nurse, which include which roles? (Select all that apply.) a. Ensuring the client’s safety b. Accounting for all sharps c. Documenting all care given d. Maintaining the sterile field e. Monitoring traffic in the room The circulating nurse has several functions, including maintaining client safety and privacy, monitoring traffic in and out of the operating room, assessing fluid losses, reporting findings to the surgeon and anesthesia provider, anticipating needs of the team, and communicating to the family. The circulating nurse and scrub person work together to ensure accurate counts of sharps, sponges, and instruments. The circulating nurse also documents care, but in the perioperative area, the preoperative or holding room nurse would also document care received there. Maintaining the sterile field is a joint responsibility among all members of the surgical team. 3. The circulating nurse reviews the day’s schedule and notes clients who are at higher risk of anesthetic
overdose and other anesthesia-related complications. Which clients does this include? (Select all that apply.) a. A 75-year-old client scheduled for an elective procedure b. Client who drinks a 6-pack of beer each day c. Client with a serum creatinine of 3.8 mg/dL d. Client who is taking birth control pills e. Young male client with a RYR1 gene mutation People at higher risk for anesthetic overdose or other anesthesia-related complications include people with a slowed metabolism (older adults generally have slower metabolism than younger adults), those with kidney or liver impairments, and those with mutations of the RYR1 gene. Drinking a 6-pack of beer per day possibly indicates some liver disease; a creatinine of 3.8 is high, indicating renal disease; and the genetic mutation increases the chance of malignant hyperthermia. Taking birth control pills is not a risk factor.
4. A client is having shoulder surgery with regional anesthesia. What actions by the nurse are most important to enhance client safety related to this anesthesia? (Select all that apply.) a. Assessing distal circulation to the operative arm after positioning b. Keeping the client warm during the operative procedure c. Padding the client’s shoulder and arm on the operating table d. Preparing to suction the client’s airway if the client vomits e. Speaking in a low, quiet voice as anesthesia is administered After regional anesthesia is administered, the client loses all sensation distally. The nurse ensures client safety by assessing distal circulation and padding the shoulder and arm appropriately. Although awake, the client will not be able to report potential injury. Keeping the client warm is not related to this anesthesia, nor is suctioning or speaking quietly. 5. What actions by the circulating nurse are important to promote client comfort? (Select all that apply.) a. Correct positioning b. Introducing one’s self c. Providing warmth d. Remaining present e. Removing hearing aids The circulating nurse can do many things to promote client comfort, including positioning the client correctly and comfortably, introducing herself or himself to the client, keeping the client warm, and remaining present with the client. Removing hearing aids does not promote comfort and, if the client is still awake when they are removed, may contribute to disorientation and anxiety. 1. A client has developed malignant hyperthermia. The client weighs 136 pounds. What is the safe dose range for one dose of dantrolene sodium (Dantrium)? (Enter your answer using whole numbers, separated by a hyphen with no spaces.) mg 124-186 mg The dose of dantrolene is 2 to 3 mg/kg. The client weighs 62 kg, so the safe dose range is 124 to 186 mg. **Chapter 27: Assessment of the Respiratory System
b. Client’s heart rate is 55 beats/min. – Nurse withholds pain medication. c. Client has reduced breath sounds. – Nurse calls physician immediately. d. Client’s respiratory rate is 18 breaths/min. – Nurse decreases oxygen flow rate. 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 client’s 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.
3. A nurse assesses a client’s 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 Many respiratory problems occur as a result of chronic exposure to inhalation irritants used in a client’s occupation and hobbies. Although it will be important for the nurse to assess the client’s fluid intake, height, and weight, these will not be as important as determining his occupation and hobbies. Determining the client’s neck circumference will not be an important part of a respiratory assessment. 4. 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 client’s level of consciousness. c. Raise the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees. d. Provide the client with humidified oxygen. Assessing the client’s 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. 5. A nurse is providing care after auscultating clients’ breath sounds. Which assessment finding is correctly matched to the nurse’s 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. 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. 6. A nurse observes that a client’s 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?”
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.
7. 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 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. 8. 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. 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. 9. 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. A deviated trachea is a manifestation of a tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency. The other findings are normal or near normal. 10. 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 client’s gag reflex before giving any food or water. d. Let the client have a small sip to see whether he or she can swallow. The topical anesthetic used during the procedure will have affected the client’s gag reflex. Before allowing the client anything to eat or drink, the nurse must check for the return of this reflex. 11. 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 client’s 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 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.
12. A nurse teaches a client who is prescribed nicotine replacement therapy. Which statement should the nurse include in this client’s 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.” 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. 13. 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 client’s peripheral pulses. d. Obtain blood and sputum cultures. 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. 14. A nurse auscultates a harsh hollow sound over a client’s trachea and larynx. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Document the findings. b. Administer oxygen therapy. c. Position the client in high-Fowler’s position. d. Administer prescribed albuterol. 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 client’s position because the finding is normal. 1. 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 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.
2. A nurse plans care for a client who is at high risk for a pulmonary infection. Which interventions should the nurse include in this client’s 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. ANS: 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. 3. While obtaining a client’s 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?” 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 client’s medical record. The nurse should collaborate with food services to ensure no avocados are placed on the client’s meal trays. Asking about the last time the client ate avocados does not provide any pertinent information for the client’s plan of care. 4. 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 client’s 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.” 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. 5. A nurse teaches a client who is interested in smoking cessation. Which statements should the nurse include in this client’s 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.” 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.