Exam II Flashcards
Nursing Interventions r/t Chest Tube
- Pain Meds
- Pulmonary Hygiene (deep breaths, coughs, IS)
- Reposition to side-lying if a report of “burning” pain in the chest (chest tube stuck to wall)
Positioning of the Chest Tube Drainage System
- Keep drainage system lower than the pt’s chest
- Avoid kinks and dependent loops by keeping chest tube as straight as possible from bed to suction unit
- Keep tubing above the drainage system so it does not collect in the tubing
What does it mean when there is continuous bubbling in the chamber?
NOT OKAY! Air leak possible
When assessing for an air leak, you must clamp the tubing with your fingers. How long should you clamp for and why?
Clamp for only a few seconds, risk for tension pneumothorax.
What do you do if the pt’s chest tube dislodges from the patient?
- Apply a sterile occlusive dressing
- Close dressing on three sides
What if we think the chest drain tubing is obstructed?
Use the hand-over-hand technique, do not MILK the tubing- risk for increased pressure
When should you immediately call the Provider and/or Rapid Response?
- Tracheal deviation from the midline (tension pneumothorax)
- Sudden onset of increased dyspnea
- SpO2 <90%
- Drainage > 70 mL/hr
- If eyelets are visible on chest tube
- Dislodgment of chest tube
- Disconnection of chest tube from drainage unit
- Drainage stops in the first 24 hours (obstruction)
An alert and oriented patient is admitted to the ED with a GCS of 10. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Photophobia with HA
B. New Onset Dizziness
C. Brisk Pupil Response
D. Sudden Drowsiness
D. Sudden Drowsiness (ICP!)
Pt has blood stain displaying a positive halo sign. What is the priority concern for this patient?
A. Inability to communicate
B. Nutritional Deficit
C. Risk for acquiring infection
D. Risk for VAP
C. Risk for infection (Halo sign= CSF leak…most likely Basilar skull fracture) “If things are flowing out, they can flow in”
A patient with Myasthenia gravis has flaccid paralysis. A tensilon challenge is performed. Discuss potential results, interpret results, and any complications (and subsequent interventions).
If the paralysis improves with the tensilon test, this is a Myasthenia crisis. We would need to protect the airway by providing O2, possibly intubate or BiPap. Plasmapheresis.
If the paralysis worsens, this is a cholinergic crisis. Manage airway here as well due to the thickened secretions. Give atropine.
Discuss priority assessment (and interventions) for patient with a C2-C3 SCI.
ABC’s. Preventing a secondary injury (spinal precautions). Neuro assessments. Gathering as much information as possible.
A patient is in MG cholinergic crisis. What are your concerns and likely intervention?
Respiratory issues, breathing issues. Suction, atropine. Later on- nutrition and speech.
What are the early manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis?
Visual, sensory, mobility issues.
Discuss early and late manifestations of ALS.
Early: fatigue, weakness, upper arms, facial weakness
Late: complete paralysis and respiratory decline
What are the criteria for brain death (in context of organ donation)?
Coma for known cause, Normal body temperature, Normal BP, 2 MD’s perform neuro exam
What are the indicators for poor prognosis with TBI?
Hypoxia, Fever, Blown/Fixed pupils, Low CPP (<70), 2 point change in GCS, Cushing’s Triad (bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, irregular respirations) –> sign of herniation.
How do you calculate CPP? What is this? What do the results mean?
MAP (>65) - ICP (10-15)
MAP = [(2 x Diastolic) + Systolic] / 3
Therapeutic CPP = 70 or greater
Brain perfusion! Results less than 70 is an indicator of a poor prognosis, brain is not getting enough oxygen.
Cushing Triad: What does it mean and what should you do? What is it?
Cushing Triad: Late sign of increased ICP; may very well be death
1. Bradycardia
2. Widened pulse pressure (HTN)
3. Changes in respiration (irregular)
Get help, Code cart, Mannitol, Craniotomy
A patient with a SCI (long-standing) tells you she thinks something bad is happening. You take VS: BP 210/111, HR 51. Discuss what you do first, second….
Autonomic Dysreflexia
1. Place patient in sitting position
2. Assess for cause (full bladder, UTI, bowel distention/ impaction/ constipation, circumferential compression, temperature change, pain)
3. Get help
4. Nicardipine drip (antihypertensives)
What are nursing interventions for a patient with increased ICP?
- Frequent neuro checks
- HOB 30-45 degrees
- Diuretics (mannitol)
- Strict I/O
- Suppress cough, avoid constipation
What are some causes of secondary TBI?
Ischemia, Inflammation
Excitatory
Bleeding
Hypovolemia/ Hypotension (MAP)
Neurogenic Shock
Hypoxia (PaO2 < 80)
Cerebral edema
Immobilization did not happen (no spinal board used)
How do you prevent secondary TBI?
Maintain CPP > 70 and MAP > 65
Monitor for increased ICP (changes in LOC, HA) and GCS changes (2 points is bad!)
Presentation of Subdural hematoma versus Epidural bleed
Epidural: LOC, awake, rapid decline
Subdural: can happen over hours to months
Priority of care for a patient in myasthenia crisis.
Symptom management
Drug therapy: Cholinesterase inhibitor (Pyridostigmine- take with food!), corticosteroids, IV IgG, and Monoclonal antibodies
Plasmapheresis
Activity-Rest Balance (weakness worsens with activity)
Respiratory: assisted cough, suction, chest physiotherapy, NPPV
Priorities of care for a patient with GBS? Also, discuss the presentation of GBS (early signs and potential complications)
Ascending paralysis (peaks around 4 weeks), airway management
Admission VS for a brain-injured patient are blood pressure of 128/68, pulse 110, and respirations 26. Which set of VS, if taken 1 hour later, will be of most concern to the nurse?
A. BP 154/68, 56 beats/min, 12 breaths/min
B. BP 134/72, 90 beats/min, 32 breaths/min
C. BP 148/78, 112 beats/min, 28 breaths/min
D. BP 110/70, 120 beats/min, 30 breaths/min
A. BP 154/68, 56 beats/min, 12 breaths/min
The nurse has administered the prescribed IV mannitol (Osmitrol) to an unconscious patient. Which parameter should the nurse monitor to determine the medication’s effectiveness?
A. Blood pressure
B. Oxygen saturation
C. Intracranial pressure
D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
C. Intracranial pressure
An unconscious patient has ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion and cerebral tissue swelling. Which nursing intervention will be included in the plan of care?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
B. Position the patient with knees and hips flexed.
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees.
D. Cluster care to provide rest periods.
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees.
Which action will the ED nurse anticipate for a patient diagnosed with a concussion who did not lose consciousness?
A. Coordinate the transfer of the patient to the OR.
B. Provide discharge instructions about monitoring neurologic status.
C. Transport the patient to radiology for an MRI.
D. Arrange to admit the patient to the neurological unit for 24 hours of observation.
B. Provide discharge instructions about monitoring neurologic status.
Which statement by patient who is being discharged from the ED after a concussion indicates a need for intervention by the nurse?
A. “I will return if I feel dizzy or nauseated”
B. “I am going to drive home and go to bed.”
C. “I do not even remember being in an accident”
D. “I can take Tylenol for my headache.”
B. “I am going to drive home and go to bed.”
A patient admitted with a diffuse axonal injury has a BP of 106/52 and an ICP of 14. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the BP and ICP in the patient’s record.
B. Report the BP and ICP to the provider.
C. Elevate the HOB to 60 degrees.
D. Continue to monitor the patient’s VS and ICP.
B. Report the BP and ICP to the provider.
After endotracheal suctioning, the nurse notes that the ICP for a patient with a TBI has increased from 14 to 17. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the increase in ICP.
B. Ensure that the patient’s neck is in neutral position.
C. Notify the provider about the change in pressure.
D. Increase the rate of prescribed Propofol.
B. Ensure that the patient’s neck is in neutral position.
After the ED nurse has received a status report on the following patients who have been admitted with head injuries, which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. 20 yr old whose cranial x-ray shows a linear skull fracture.
B. 50 yr old who has an initial GCS of 13.
C. 30 yr old who lost consciousness for a few seconds after a fall.
D. 40 yr old whose right pupil is 10mm and unresponsive to light.
D. 40 yr old whose right pupil is 10mm and unresponsive to light.