26MD Flashcards
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary function tests.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory distress.
The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
a. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
b. In a high-Fowler’s position with the left arm extended
c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table
d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table
A diabetic patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28; PaCO2 34 mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3– 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?
a. Intercostal retractions
b. Kussmaul respirations
c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
d. Decreased venous O2 pressure
b. Kussmaul respirations
On auscultation of a patient’s lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
b. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
c. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
d. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes
a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says “99” and notes absent fremitus. Which action should the nurse take next?
a. Palpate the anterior chest and observe for barrel chest.
b. Encourage the patient to turn, cough, and deep breathe.
c. Review the chest x-ray report for evidence of pneumonia.
d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally.
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d. Auscultate anterior and posterior breath sounds bilaterally.
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A patient with a chronic cough has a bronchoscopy. After the procedure, which intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Elevate the head of the bed to 80 to 90 degrees.
b. Keep the patient NPO until the gag reflex returns.
c. Place on bed rest for at least 4 hours after bronchoscopy.
d. Notify the health care provider about blood-tinged mucus.
b. Keep the patient NPO until the gag reflex returns.
The nurse completes a shift assessment on a patient admitted in the early phase of heart failure. When auscultating the patient’s lungs, which finding would the nurse most likely hear?
a. Continuous rumbling, snoring, or rattling sounds mainly on expiration
b. Continuous high-pitched musical sounds on inspiration and expiration
c. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration heard on inspiration
d. A series of long-duration, discontinuous, low-pitched sounds during inspiration
c. Discontinuous, high-pitched sounds of short duration heard on inspiration
While caring for a patient with respiratory disease, the nurse observes that the patient’s SpO2 drops from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating in the hallway. What is the priority action of the nurse?
a. Notify the health care provider.
b. Document the response to exercise.
c. Administer the PRN supplemental O2.
d. Encourage the patient to pace activity.
c. Administer the PRN supplemental O2
The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary function testing (PFT). Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates teaching was effective?
a. “I will use my inhaler right before the test.”
b. “I won’t eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test.”
c. “I should inhale deeply and blow out as hard as I can during the test.”
d. “My blood pressure and pulse will be checked every 15 minutes after the test.”
c. “I should inhale deeply and blow out as hard as I can during the test.”
The nurse observes a student who is listening to a patient’s lungs who is having no problems with breathing. Which action by the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?
a. The student starts at the apices of the lungs and moves to the bases.
b. The student compares breath sounds from side to side avoiding bony areas.
c. The student places the stethoscope over the posterior chest and listens during inspiration.
d. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and a little more deeply than normal through the mouth.
c. The student places the stethoscope over the posterior chest and listens during inspiration.
A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO2 levels of 89% to 90%). In planning for discharge, which action by the nurse will be most effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?
a. Start giving the patient discharge teaching on the day of admission.
b. Have the patient repeat the instructions immediately after teaching.
c. Accomplish the patient teaching just before the scheduled discharge.
d. Arrange for the patient’s caregiver to be present during the teaching.
d. Arrange for the patient’s caregiver to be present during the teaching.
A patient is admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset shortness of breath and is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
a. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
b. Ensure that the patient has been NPO for at least 6 hours.
c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed.
d. Instruct the patient to undress to the waist and remove any metal objects.
a. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma attack. Which statement indicates that the patient may need teaching regarding medication use?
a. “I have not had any acute asthma attacks during the last year.”
b. “I became short of breath an hour before coming to the hospital.”
c. “I’ve been taking Tylenol 650 mg every 6 hours for chest-wall pain.”
d. “I’ve been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days.”
d. “I’ve been using my albuterol inhaler more frequently over the last 4 days.”
A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan. Which information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care provider before the CT?
a. Allergy to shellfish
b. Apical pulse of 104
c. Respiratory rate of 30
d. Oxygen saturation of 90%
a. Allergy to shellfish
The nurse analyzes the results of a patient’s arterial blood gases (ABGs). Which finding would require immediate action?
a. The bicarbonate level (HCO3–) is 31 mEq/L.
b. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is 92%.
c. The partial pressure of CO2 in arterial blood (PaCO2) is 31 mm Hg.
d. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) is 59 mm Hg.
d. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) is 59 mm Hg.
