Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has COPD. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Instruct the client to use pursed-lip breathing.
Pursed-lip breathing is a technique that helps to slow down the breathing rate and keep the airways open longer. This improves gas exchange and reduces the work of breathing. Pursed-lip breathing also helps to prevent air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which are common complications of COPD.
B. Plan to have the client lay down for 1 hr after meals.
Choice B is wrong because laying down for 1 hour after meals can increase the pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing more difficult. It can also increase the risk of aspiration and reflux.
C. Restrict the client’s fluid intake to less than 1 L/day.
Choice C is wrong because restricting the client’s fluid intake to less than 1 L/day can lead to dehydration and thickening of secretions, which can obstruct the airways and impair gas exchange. Fluid intake should be adequate to maintain hydration and thin secretions.
D. Encourage the client to use the upper chest for respiration.
Choice D is wrong because using the upper chest for respiration is a sign of inefficient breathing and respiratory distress. It can increase the oxygen demand and cause fatigue. The client should be encouraged to use the diaphragm and abdominal muscles for respiration, which are more efficient and reduce the work of breathing. Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100%, for arterial blood gas pH are 7.35 to 7.45, for PaCO2 are 35 to 45 mmHg, for PaO2 are 80 to 100 mmHg, and for HCO3 are 22 to 26 mEq/L.
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Full Explanation
Choice B is wrong because laying down for 1 hour after meals can increase the pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing more difficult. It can also increase the risk of aspiration and reflux.
Choice C is wrong because restricting the client’s fluid intake to less than 1 L/day can lead to dehydration and thickening of secretions, which can obstruct the airways and impair gas exchange. Fluid intake should be adequate to maintain hydration and thin secretions.
Choice D is wrong because using the upper chest for respiration is a sign of inefficient breathing and respiratory distress.
It can increase the oxygen demand and cause fatigue. The client should be encouraged to use the diaphragm and abdominal muscles for respiration, which are more efficient and reduce the work of breathing.
Normal ranges for oxygen saturation are 95% to 100%, for arterial blood gas pH are 7.35 to 7.45, for PaCO2 are 35 to 45 mmHg, for PaO2 are 80 to 100 mmHg, and for HCO3 are 22 to 26 mEq/L.
Similar Questions
A nurse is cheering on participants in a marathon and one runner collapses nearby. He begins to vomit and complain of a throbbing headache. The nurse notes that he is not sweating, yet his skin is red and very hot to touch, and his pulse is 170 bpm and strong. The nurse knows that:
A. The runner may lose consciousness due to heat stroke.
Heat stroke is a serious condition caused by overheating of the body, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. It can damage the brain and other internal organs, and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are: • High body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher • Altered mental state or behavior, such as confusion, agitation, slurred speech, seizures or coma • Lack of sweating despite the heat • Red, hot and dry skin • Rapid and strong pulse • Throbbing headach • Nausea and vomiting
B. It is not necessary to call 911.
Choice B is wrong because it is necessary to call 911 if someone has heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and cooling of the body.
C. It is normal to vomit and not sweat during a marathon.
Choice C is wrong because it is not normal to vomit and not sweat during a marathon. Vomiting and lack of sweating are signs of dehydration and heat stroke, which indicate that the body is unable to regulate its temperature properly.
D. Getting the patient to a cooler, air-conditioned place will reverse the heat exhaustion.
Choice D is wrong because getting the patient to a cooler, air-conditioned place will not reverse the heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can lead to heat stroke if not treated. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps. Getting the patient to a cooler place may help with heat exhaustion, but heat stroke requires more aggressive cooling measures such as immersing the patient in cold water or applying ice packs to the body.
Full Explanation
Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are:
• High body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher
• Altered mental state or behavior, such as confusion, agitation, slurred speech, seizures or coma
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot and dry skin
• Rapid and strong pulse
• Throbbing headach
• Nausea and vomiting
Choice B is wrong because it is necessary to call 911 if someone has heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and cooling of the body.
Choice C is wrong because it is not normal to vomit and not sweat during a marathon. Vomiting and lack of sweating are signs of dehydration and heat stroke, which indicate that the body is unable to regulate its temperature properly.
Choice D is wrong because getting the patient to a cooler, air-conditioned place will not reverse the heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can lead to heat stroke if not treated. Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and muscle cramps. Getting the patient to a cooler place may help with heat exhaustion, but heat stroke requires more aggressive cooling measures such as immersing the patient in cold water or applying ice packs to the body.
A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about preventing health care associated infections (HAIs).
The nurse should include which of the following as a common cause of these infections?
A. Urinary catheterization.
Urinary catheterization is a common cause of health care-associated infections (HAIs), which are infections that patients get while receiving medical treatment in a health care facility. Urinary catheterization involves inserting a tube into the bladder to drain urine, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract and cause infections.
B. Malnutrition.
Choice B is wrong because malnutrition is not a direct cause of HAIs, although it can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections.
C. Multiple caregivers.
Choice C is wrong because multiple caregivers are not a direct cause of HAIs, although they can increase the exposure to different pathogens and cross contamination if they do not follow proper hygiene and infection control practices.
D. Chlorhexidine washes.
Choice D is wrong because chlorhexidine washes are not a cause of HAIs, but rather a preventive measure to reduce the risk of HAIs by disinfecting the skin and mucous membranes.
Full Explanation
Urinary catheterization is a common cause of health care-associated infections (HAIs), which are infections that patients get while receiving medical treatment in a health care facility. Urinary catheterization involves inserting a tube into the bladder to drain urine, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract and cause infections.
Choice B is wrong because malnutrition is not a direct cause of HAIs, although it can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections.
Choice C is wrong because multiple caregivers are not a direct cause of HAIs, although they can increase the exposure to different pathogens and cross contamination if they do not follow proper hygiene and infection control practices.
Choice D is wrong because chlorhexidine washes are not a cause of HAIs, but rather a preventive measure to reduce the risk of HAIs by disinfecting the skin and mucous membranes.
An elderly man fell during his hospitalization and has died from a head injury sustained in the fall.
What is the role of the risk manager in this situation?
A. To find the root cause so that the person who is responsible can be identified.
Choice A is wrong because it implies a punitive approach that does not address the underlying system issues.
B. To protect the nursing staff from litigation.
Choice B is wrong because it suggests a defensive attitude that does not foster a culture of learning and improvement.
C. To find the root cause so preventative measures can be put in place.
The role of the risk manager is to identify and analyze the factors that contributed to the adverse event and to implement strategies to prevent or reduce the likelihood of recurrence. The risk manager is not concerned with assigning blame or protecting the staff from litigation, but rather with improving the quality and safety of care.
D. To determine why the nurses were never told that the patient was a high fall risk.
Choice D is wrong because it assumes that the nurses were not aware of the patient’s fall risk, which may not be the case. The risk manager should investigate all aspects of the situation, including the communication and documentation of the patient’s fall risk assessment and interventions.
Full Explanation
The role of the risk manager is to identify and analyze the factors that contributed to the adverse event and to implement strategies to prevent or reduce the likelihood of recurrence. The risk manager is not concerned with assigning blame or protecting the staff from litigation, but rather with improving the quality and safety of care.
Choice A is wrong because it implies a punitive approach that does not address the underlying system issues.
Choice B is wrong because it suggests a defensive attitude that does not foster a culture of learning and improvement.
Choice D is wrong because it assumes that the nurses were not aware of the patient’s fall risk, which may not be the case.
The risk manager should investigate all aspects of the situation, including the communication and documentation of the patient’s fall risk assessment and interventions.