Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A. Decreased heart rate.
Decreased heart rate is not an anticipated finding in response to acute pain. Pain typically triggers sympathetic nervous system activation, leading to an increased heart rate as a physiological response to the stressor.
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds.
Hyperactive bowel sounds are not typically associated with acute pain. Acute pain is more likely to induce a sympathetic response, which can lead to decreased gastrointestinal motility and hypoactive bowel sounds.
C. Decreased blood pressure.
Decreased blood pressure is not a common response to acute pain. Pain often leads to an increase in blood pressure due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones.
D. Increased respiratory rate.
Increased respiratory rate is the anticipated finding in response to acute pain. Acute pain can cause an increase in the sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to a higher respiratory rate as the body prepares for a fight-or-flight response. This increased respiratory rate helps oxygenate the blood and meet the potential increased demand for energy during stress.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Custom Custom Elisabet Perez NUR1000D Midterm Summer 23 EVE Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Decreased heart rate is not an anticipated finding in response to acute pain. Pain typically triggers sympathetic nervous system activation, leading to an increased heart rate as a physiological response to the stressor.
Choice B rationale:
Hyperactive bowel sounds are not typically associated with acute pain. Acute pain is more likely to induce a sympathetic response, which can lead to decreased gastrointestinal motility and hypoactive bowel sounds.
Choice C rationale:
Decreased blood pressure is not a common response to acute pain. Pain often leads to an increase in blood pressure due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones.
Choice D rationale:
Increased respiratory rate is the anticipated finding in response to acute pain. Acute pain can cause an increase in the sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to a higher respiratory rate as the body prepares for a fight-or-flight response. This increased respiratory rate helps oxygenate the blood and meet the potential increased demand for energy during stress.
Similar Questions
A Medical-Surgical nurse is assessing a client's heart sounds. In which of the following points of auscultation would the nurse hear the S2 sound most clearly?
A. Pulmonic and Mitral.
Auscultation at the pulmonic and mitral points would not provide the clearest hearing of the S2 heart sound. The S2 sound is composed of two components: A2 (aortic valve closure) and P2 (pulmonic valve closure). The aortic valve sound (A2) is usually louder than P2. Mitral point is not ideal for hearing S2 clearly, as it's mostly associated with S1 sound.
B. Tricuspid and Aortic.
The tricuspid and aortic points are the most appropriate for hearing the S2 heart sound. The aortic valve (A2) is best heard at the second right intercostal space close to the sternum, and the tricuspid valve is best heard at the lower left sternal border.
C. Mitral and Tricuspid.
While the mitral and tricuspid points are important for auscultating the heart sounds, they are more associated with the S1 sound (the first heart sound). The S2 sound is best heard at the aortic and pulmonic areas.
D. Aortic and Pulmonic.
The aortic and pulmonic points are important for assessing the S2 heart sound, but they are not the most optimal locations. The aortic valve sound is heard most clearly at the second right intercostal space, whereas the pulmonic valve sound is heard at the second left intercostal space.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Auscultation at the pulmonic and mitral points would not provide the clearest hearing of the S2 heart sound. The S2 sound is composed of two components: A2 (aortic valve closure) and P2 (pulmonic valve closure). The aortic valve sound (A2) is usually louder than P2. Mitral point is not ideal for hearing S2 clearly, as it's mostly associated with S1 sound.
Choice B rationale:
The tricuspid and aortic points are the most appropriate for hearing the S2 heart sound. The aortic valve (A2) is best heard at the second right intercostal space close to the sternum, and the tricuspid valve is best heard at the lower left sternal border.
Choice C rationale:
While the mitral and tricuspid points are important for auscultating the heart sounds, they are more associated with the S1 sound (the first heart sound). The S2 sound is best heard at the aortic and pulmonic areas.
Choice D rationale:
The aortic and pulmonic points are important for assessing the S2 heart sound, but they are not the most optimal locations. The aortic valve sound is heard most clearly at the second right intercostal space, whereas the pulmonic valve sound is heard at the second left intercostal space.
A middle-aged client reports, "I can't get my breath when I walk." Upon assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has a barrel chest and is using his accessory muscles to breathe. The patient's respiratory rate is 28/min. On palpation, there is limited expansion and decreased tactile fremitus. Percussion yields hyperresonant sounds. On auscultation, prolonged expiration, scattered wheezes, and rhonchi are present. Which disorder would the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumonia.
Pneumonia is not likely to be the correct answer. Pneumonia is often characterized by productive cough, fever, chest pain, and increased tactile fremitus due to consolidation of lung tissue. The presence of barrel chest, decreased tactile fremitus, and hyperresonant percussion sounds is not consistent with pneumonia.
B. Atelectasis.
Atelectasis is not the most likely option. Atelectasis refers to collapsed or partially collapsed lung tissue, which can lead to decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus. The symptoms mentioned in the scenario, such as prolonged expiration, wheezes, and barrel chest, are not indicative of atelectasis.
C. Pleural effusion.
Pleural effusion is not the most suitable choice. Pleural effusion usually presents with decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus over the affected area due to fluid accumulation in the pleural space. The hyperresonant percussion sounds and the presence of wheezes and rhonchi do not align with pleural effusion.
D. Emphysema.
Emphysema is the most likely disorder based on the given symptoms. Barrel chest (increased anterior-posterior chest diameter), limited lung expansion, decreased tactile fremitus, hyperresonant percussion sounds, prolonged expiration, wheezes, and rhonchi are characteristic findings of emphysema. This condition involves damage to the alveoli and their supporting structures, leading to air trapping, reduced lung elasticity, and obstructed airflow. The patient's use of accessory muscles to breathe further suggests a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) like emphysema.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Pneumonia is not likely to be the correct answer. Pneumonia is often characterized by productive cough, fever, chest pain, and increased tactile fremitus due to consolidation of lung tissue. The presence of barrel chest, decreased tactile fremitus, and hyperresonant percussion sounds is not consistent with pneumonia.
Choice B rationale:
Atelectasis is not the most likely option. Atelectasis refers to collapsed or partially collapsed lung tissue, which can lead to decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus. The symptoms mentioned in the scenario, such as prolonged expiration, wheezes, and barrel chest, are not indicative of atelectasis.
Choice C rationale:
Pleural effusion is not the most suitable choice. Pleural effusion usually presents with decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus over the affected area due to fluid accumulation in the pleural space. The hyperresonant percussion sounds and the presence of wheezes and rhonchi do not align with pleural effusion.
Choice D rationale:
Emphysema is the most likely disorder based on the given symptoms. Barrel chest (increased anterior-posterior chest diameter), limited lung expansion, decreased tactile fremitus, hyperresonant percussion sounds, prolonged expiration, wheezes, and rhonchi are characteristic findings of emphysema. This condition involves damage to the alveoli and their supporting structures, leading to air trapping, reduced lung elasticity, and obstructed airflow. The patient's use of accessory muscles to breathe further suggests a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) like emphysema.
A Medical-Surgical nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who has a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A. Clean the wound by scrubbing the site with gauze.
Cleaning the wound by scrubbing the site with gauze is not an appropriate intervention for a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Scrubbing can damage the fragile tissue, increase the risk of infection, and delay wound healing. Gentle cleaning with a mild solution and avoiding trauma to the wound bed are recommended.
B. Massage reddened areas with dressing changes.
Massaging reddened areas with dressing changes is contraindicated for pressure ulcers, especially stage 3 ulcers. Massaging can cause further damage to the tissues and disrupt the healing process. Dressing changes should focus on maintaining a clean and moist environment to promote healing.
C. Reposition the client at least every 2 hours.
(Correct Choice) Repositioning the client at least every 2 hours is a crucial intervention to prevent further pressure ulcers and facilitate wound healing. Regular repositioning helps relieve pressure on specific areas and improves blood circulation, reducing the risk of tissue breakdown and the development of new ulcers.
D. Apply a heat lamp twice a day.
Applying a heat lamp twice a day is not recommended for stage 3 pressure ulcers. Heat can increase blood flow to the area, potentially exacerbating inflammation and delaying healing. Pressure ulcers require a clean and moist environment for optimal healing.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Cleaning the wound by scrubbing the site with gauze is not an appropriate intervention for a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Scrubbing can damage the fragile tissue, increase the risk of infection, and delay wound healing. Gentle cleaning with a mild solution and avoiding trauma to the wound bed are recommended.
Choice B rationale:
Massaging reddened areas with dressing changes is contraindicated for pressure ulcers, especially stage 3 ulcers. Massaging can cause further damage to the tissues and disrupt the healing process. Dressing changes should focus on maintaining a clean and moist environment to promote healing.
Choice C rationale:
(Correct Choice) Repositioning the client at least every 2 hours is a crucial intervention to prevent further pressure ulcers and facilitate wound healing. Regular repositioning helps relieve pressure on specific areas and improves blood circulation, reducing the risk of tissue breakdown and the development of new ulcers.
Choice D rationale:
Applying a heat lamp twice a day is not recommended for stage 3 pressure ulcers. Heat can increase blood flow to the area, potentially exacerbating inflammation and delaying healing. Pressure ulcers require a clean and moist environment for optimal healing.