Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following an open thoracotomy. The client is receiving oxygen mist at 40% by face tent. The client's SPO2 is 89-96%. ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaO2 93 mm Hg, PCO2 5O mm Hg, HCO3 25 mEq/L. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Position the client prone and have the respiratory therapist perform postural drainage.
Prone positioning and postural drainage are typically not appropriate interventions for a client 1 day postoperative following an open thoracotomy, as this could place stress on the incision site and cause discomfort or injury.
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position and encourage the use of incentive spirometer and coughing.
High-Fowler's position facilitates lung expansion, which can improve ventilation and oxygenation. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer and promoting coughing helps clear secretions and expand the lungs, addressing the mild respiratory acidosis indicated by the ABG results (pH 7.31 and PaCO2 50 mm Hg).
C. Increase oxygen to 70%.
Increasing oxygen to 70% is not appropriate, as the PaO2 level is within normal limits (93 mm Hg). The client's issue appears to be related more to ventilation (indicated by the elevated PaCO2) rather than oxygenation, so additional oxygen would not address the underlying cause and could lead to oxygen toxicity if used long-term.
D. Switch oxygen to a nonrebreather mask.
A nonrebreather mask delivers a high concentration of oxygen, which is not necessary in this case since the client’s PaO2 is already adequate. The primary issue is not a lack of oxygen but rather the retention of CO2, so promoting ventilation and lung expansion through positioning and respiratory exercises is more appropriate.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Lpn Med Surg Cohort 6 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Prone positioning and postural drainage are typically not appropriate interventions for a client 1 day postoperative following an open thoracotomy, as this could place stress on the incision site and cause discomfort or injury.
B. High-Fowler's position facilitates lung expansion, which can improve ventilation and oxygenation. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer and promoting coughing helps clear secretions and expand the lungs, addressing the mild respiratory acidosis indicated by the ABG results (pH 7.31 and PaCO2 50 mm Hg).
C. Increasing oxygen to 70% is not appropriate, as the PaO2 level is within normal limits (93 mm Hg). The client's issue appears to be related more to ventilation (indicated by the elevated PaCO2) rather than oxygenation, so additional oxygen would not address the underlying cause and could lead to oxygen toxicity if used long-term.
D. A nonrebreather mask delivers a high concentration of oxygen, which is not necessary in this case since the client’s PaO2 is already adequate. The primary issue is not a lack of oxygen but rather the retention of CO2, so promoting ventilation and lung expansion through positioning and respiratory exercises is more appropriate.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who has burns to approximately 50% of their body. Which of the following physiological changes related to the burns should the nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply.)
A. Decreased plasma volume
Burn injuries cause a significant inflammatory response, leading to fluid shifts from the intravascular space to the interstitial space. This results in hypovolemia and decreased plasma volume, especially during the acute phase of burns.
B. Diuresis
Diuresis typically occurs after fluid resuscitation and stabilization of the client (in the later phase of burn recovery). In the initial phase, oliguria is more common due to hypovolemia and reduced renal perfusion.
C. Hypermagnesemia
Hypermagnesemia is not typically associated with burn injuries. Instead, clients with burns often experience hypomagnesemia due to fluid shifts, protein loss, and increased renal losses.
D. Capillary leak
Burn injuries lead to a systemic inflammatory response, causing capillary leak syndrome. This increases vascular permeability, allowing fluid, electrolytes, and proteins to leak into the interstitial spaces, contributing to edema and hypovolemia.
E. Loss of protein
Proteins are lost through damaged capillaries and open burn wounds, contributing to decreased oncotic pressure, edema, and a need for aggressive nutritional support to promote healing and recovery.
Full Explanation
A. Decreased plasma volume: Burn injuries cause a significant inflammatory response, leading to fluid shifts from the intravascular space to the interstitial space. This results in hypovolemia and decreased plasma volume, especially during the acute phase of burns.
B. Diuresis: Diuresis typically occurs after fluid resuscitation and stabilization of the client (in the later phase of burn recovery). In the initial phase, oliguria is more common due to hypovolemia and reduced renal perfusion.
C. Hypermagnesemia: Hypermagnesemia is not typically associated with burn injuries. Instead, clients with burns often experience hypomagnesemia due to fluid shifts, protein loss, and increased renal losses.
D. Capillary leak: Burn injuries lead to a systemic inflammatory response, causing capillary leak syndrome. This increases vascular permeability, allowing fluid, electrolytes, and proteins to leak into the interstitial spaces, contributing to edema and hypovolemia.
E. Loss of protein: Proteins are lost through damaged capillaries and open burn wounds, contributing to decreased oncotic pressure, edema, and a need for aggressive nutritional support to promote healing and recovery.
A nurse is assisting in identifying clients on the medical surgical floor with skin problems. Which of the following are most likely to become chronic wounds?
A. Cluster of oral herpes sores
Cluster of oral herpes sores: Oral herpes sores typically heal within a few weeks and do not generally become chronic wounds unless there are complications or underlying immune system issues. They are more acute in nature and tend to resolve without becoming chronic.
B. Abdominal surgical incision
Abdominal surgical incision: Surgical incisions are designed to heal within a specific timeframe, usually a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the type of surgery and individual healing factors. While surgical wounds can sometimes have delayed healing or complications, they are not typically categorized as chronic wounds unless they fail to heal or become recurrent over an extended period.
C. Diabetic foot ulcer
Diabetic foot ulcer: Diabetic foot ulcers are highly prone to becoming chronic wounds due to the underlying pathology associated with diabetes, such as neuropathy (nerve damage), peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation), and impaired immune function. These factors can impair the normal healing process, leading to delayed healing, infection, and the potential for the wound to become chronic if not managed appropriately.
D. Posterior scalp wound
Posterior scalp wound: Scalp wounds can heal relatively quickly, especially with proper wound care and management. However, certain factors such as the size of the wound, depth, presence of infection, and underlying conditions can influence the likelihood of a scalp wound becoming chronic. In general, scalp wounds are less likely to become chronic compared to wounds in areas with higher risk factors, such as diabetic foot ulcers.
Full Explanation
A. Cluster of oral herpes sores: Oral herpes sores typically heal within a few weeks and do not generally become chronic wounds unless there are complications or underlying immune system issues. They are more acute in nature and tend to resolve without becoming chronic.
B. Abdominal surgical incision: Surgical incisions are designed to heal within a specific timeframe, usually a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the type of surgery and individual healing factors. While surgical wounds can sometimes have delayed healing or complications, they are not typically categorized as chronic wounds unless they fail to heal or become recurrent over an extended period.
C. Diabetic foot ulcer: Diabetic foot ulcers are highly prone to becoming chronic wounds due to the underlying pathology associated with diabetes, such as neuropathy (nerve damage), peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation), and impaired immune function. These factors can impair the normal healing process, leading to delayed healing, infection, and the potential for the wound to become chronic if not managed appropriately.
D. Posterior scalp wound: Scalp wounds can heal relatively quickly, especially with proper wound care and management. However, certain factors such as the size of the wound, depth, presence of infection, and underlying conditions can influence the likelihood of a scalp wound becoming chronic. In general, scalp wounds are less likely to become chronic compared to wounds in areas with higher risk factors, such as diabetic foot ulcers.
What would be considered early signs/symptoms of pressure injury (Stage 1)?
A. Intact skin with nonblanchable redness, painful,warm, soft localized area over a bony prominence
Intact skin with nonblanchable redness, painful, warm, soft localized area over a bony prominenceStage 1 pressure injuries are characterized by intact skin with nonblanchable redness over a localized area, typically over a bony prominence like the sacrum, heel, or elbow. The skin may feel painful, warm, and soft to the touch. Nonblanchable redness means that when pressure is applied to the area, the redness does not fade or blanch (turn white). This stage indicates that tissue damage has occurred, but the skin is still intact.
B. Shallow, open, shiny, dry injury, pink-red wound bed without sloughing or bruising
Shallow, open, shiny, dry injury, pink-red wound bed without sloughing or bruising: This description is more indicative of a Stage 2 pressure injury, which involves partial-thickness skin loss with an intact or ruptured blister. The wound bed is usually pink or red, and there is no sloughing or bruising.
C. Full-thickness tissue loss, slough and black eschar in wound bed with undermining and tunneling
Full-thickness tissue loss, slough and black eschar in wound bed with undermining and tunneling: This description corresponds to a Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injury. Stage 3 involves full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat but no bone, tendon, or muscle exposed. Stage 4 involves extensive tissue loss with exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle. Both stages may include slough (yellow or white tissue) and black eschar (hard, necrotic tissue), along with undermining (tissue destruction under intact skin edges) and tunneling (narrow passageways extending from the wound).
D. Full-thickness tissue loss, subcutaneous fat visible, possible undermining and tunneling
Full-thickness tissue loss, subcutaneous fat visible, possible undermining and tunneling: This description also corresponds to a Stage 3 pressure injury, as it involves full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat. The mention of possible undermining and tunneling further suggests a Stage 3 pressure injury.
Full Explanation
A. Intact skin with nonblanchable redness, painful, warm, soft localized area over a bony prominence
Stage 1 pressure injuries are characterized by intact skin with nonblanchable redness over a localized area, typically over a bony prominence like the sacrum, heel, or elbow. The skin may feel painful, warm, and soft to the touch. Nonblanchable redness means that when pressure is applied to the area, the redness does not fade or blanch (turn white). This stage indicates that tissue damage has occurred, but the skin is still intact.
B. Shallow, open, shiny, dry injury, pink-red wound bed without sloughing or bruising: This description is more indicative of a Stage 2 pressure injury, which involves partial-thickness skin loss with an intact or ruptured blister. The wound bed is usually pink or red, and there is no sloughing or bruising.
C. Full-thickness tissue loss, slough and black eschar in wound bed with undermining and tunneling: This description corresponds to a Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injury. Stage 3 involves full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat but no bone, tendon, or muscle exposed. Stage 4 involves extensive tissue loss with exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle. Both stages may include slough (yellow or white tissue) and black eschar (hard, necrotic tissue), along with undermining (tissue destruction under intact skin edges) and tunneling (narrow passageways extending from the wound).
D. Full-thickness tissue loss, subcutaneous fat visible, possible undermining and tunneling: This description also corresponds to a Stage 3 pressure injury, as it involves full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat. The mention of possible undermining and tunneling further suggests a Stage 3 pressure injury.