Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is planning postoperative care for a client who is scheduled for a thoracotomy with chest tube placement.
Which of the following pieces of equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's bedside?
A. Wire cutters.
Wire cutters are not necessary equipment for postoperative care after a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Wire cutters are used for cutting wires and may be found in orthopedic or surgical trays, but they are not specifically required for thoracotomy care.
B. Tracheostomy tray.
A tracheostomy tray is not necessary for postoperative care following a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Tracheostomy trays contain supplies for managing a tracheostomy, which is a procedure involving the creation of an opening in the neck to help with breathing. This procedure is not related to thoracotomy care.
C. Montgomery straps.
Montgomery straps are not necessary equipment for postoperative care after a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Montgomery straps are used to secure dressings or bandages without adhesive tape. They are not typically used in thoracotomy care.
D. Padded clamp.
A padded clamp is essential equipment for postoperative care after a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. The clamp is used to temporarily close or occlude the chest tube during transportation or when changing the drainage system. This prevents air from entering the pleural space, maintaining proper suction and preventing complications such as pneumothorax.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Comprehensive Online Practice 2019 B with NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Wire cutters are not necessary equipment for postoperative care after a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Wire cutters are used for cutting wires and may be found in orthopedic or surgical trays, but they are not specifically required for thoracotomy care.
Choice B rationale:
A tracheostomy tray is not necessary for postoperative care following a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Tracheostomy trays contain supplies for managing a tracheostomy, which is a procedure involving the creation of an opening in the neck to help with breathing. This procedure is not related to thoracotomy care.
Choice C rationale:
Montgomery straps are not necessary equipment for postoperative care after a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. Montgomery straps are used to secure dressings or bandages without adhesive tape. They are not typically used in thoracotomy care.
Choice D rationale:
A padded clamp is essential equipment for postoperative care after a thoracotomy with chest tube placement. The clamp is used to temporarily close or occlude the chest tube during transportation or when changing the drainage system. This prevents air from entering the pleural space, maintaining proper suction and preventing complications such as pneumothorax.
Similar Questions
A nurse in a provider's office is monitoring the laboratory results of a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following results indicates that the client demonstrates acceptable glycemic control?
A. Random plasma glucose 176 mg/dL.
A random plasma glucose level of 176 mg/dL indicates high blood sugar at the time of the test. Random glucose levels are not ideal for assessing glycemic control as they can vary based on recent food intake and stressors.
B. Triglycerides 182 mg/dL.
Triglyceride levels are not used to assess glycemic control. They measure the amount of triglycerides in the bloodstream and are related to lipid metabolism, not glucose control.
C. HbA1c 6.8%.
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is a long-term measure of blood glucose control. An HbA1c level of 6.8% indicates acceptable glycemic control in a person with diabetes. The normal range for HbA1c is typically less than 6.5%. This test reflects the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months, giving a better understanding of overall glucose control.
D. Fasting blood glucose 120 mg/dL.
Fasting blood glucose of 120 mg/dL is slightly elevated. While fasting blood glucose levels below 100 mg/dL are generally considered normal, levels between 100-125 mg/dL are considered prediabetic, and levels above 126 mg/dL on two separate occasions indicate diabetes. The result provided falls within the prediabetic range but does not indicate optimal glycemic control.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A random plasma glucose level of 176 mg/dL indicates high blood sugar at the time of the test. Random glucose levels are not ideal for assessing glycemic control as they can vary based on recent food intake and stressors.
Choice B rationale:
Triglyceride levels are not used to assess glycemic control. They measure the amount of triglycerides in the bloodstream and are related to lipid metabolism, not glucose control.
Choice C rationale:
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is a long-term measure of blood glucose control. An HbA1c level of 6.8% indicates acceptable glycemic control in a person with diabetes. The normal range for HbA1c is typically less than 6.5%. This test reflects the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months, giving a better understanding of overall glucose control.
Choice D rationale:
Fasting blood glucose of 120 mg/dL is slightly elevated. While fasting blood glucose levels below 100 mg/dL are generally considered normal, levels between 100-125 mg/dL are considered prediabetic, and levels above 126 mg/dL on two separate occasions indicate diabetes. The result provided falls within the prediabetic range but does not indicate optimal glycemic control.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment of a newborn whose mother used cocaine throughout the pregnancy.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Irritability.
Irritability is a common withdrawal symptom in newborns exposed to cocaine during pregnancy. Cocaine exposure can lead to irritability, restlessness, and difficulty in consoling the newborn.
B. Hypotonicity.
Hypotonicity, or decreased muscle tone, is not a common finding associated with cocaine exposure in newborns. Cocaine exposure more commonly results in hypertonicity, where the muscles are tense and rigid.
C. Decreased auditory startle response.
Decreased auditory startle response is not a typical finding associated with cocaine exposure. Newborns exposed to cocaine may have an exaggerated startle response, which is the opposite of the expected finding in this case.
D. Increased head circumference.
Increased head circumference is not a characteristic finding associated with cocaine exposure. Cocaine exposure is more likely to cause growth restriction, low birth weight, and microcephaly (small head size) in newborns.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Irritability is a common withdrawal symptom in newborns exposed to cocaine during pregnancy. Cocaine exposure can lead to irritability, restlessness, and difficulty in consoling the newborn.
Choice B rationale:
Hypotonicity, or decreased muscle tone, is not a common finding associated with cocaine exposure in newborns. Cocaine exposure more commonly results in hypertonicity, where the muscles are tense and rigid.
Choice C rationale:
Decreased auditory startle response is not a typical finding associated with cocaine exposure. Newborns exposed to cocaine may have an exaggerated startle response, which is the opposite of the expected finding in this case.
Choice D rationale:
Increased head circumference is not a characteristic finding associated with cocaine exposure. Cocaine exposure is more likely to cause growth restriction, low birth weight, and microcephaly (small head size) in newborns.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for sertraline to treat depression.
For which of the following findings should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report immediately as indicating serotonin syndrome?
A. Insomnia.
Insomnia is a common side effect of sertraline and many other antidepressant medications. It is not indicative of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive serotonin levels in the brain.
B. Constipation.
Constipation is a side effect of some antidepressant medications, including sertraline. It is not a symptom of serotonin syndrome, which presents with a combination of symptoms such as confusion, agitation, rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, and high body temperature.
C. Dry mouth.
Dry mouth is another common side effect of sertraline and many other medications. While uncomfortable, it is not a sign of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome are neurological and autonomic, involving changes in mental status, muscle activity, and vital signs.
D. Excessive sweating.
Excessive sweating, also known as diaphoresis, can be a symptom of serotonin syndrome. Other symptoms might include agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, fever, dilated pupils, and diarrhea. If a patient experiences these symptoms while taking sertraline, it could indicate serotonin syndrome and should be reported immediately for medical evaluation.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Insomnia is a common side effect of sertraline and many other antidepressant medications. It is not indicative of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive serotonin levels in the brain.
Choice B rationale:
Constipation is a side effect of some antidepressant medications, including sertraline. It is not a symptom of serotonin syndrome, which presents with a combination of symptoms such as confusion, agitation, rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, muscle rigidity, and high body temperature.
Choice C rationale:
Dry mouth is another common side effect of sertraline and many other medications. While uncomfortable, it is not a sign of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome are neurological and autonomic, involving changes in mental status, muscle activity, and vital signs.
Choice D rationale:
Excessive sweating, also known as diaphoresis, can be a symptom of serotonin syndrome. Other symptoms might include agitation, tremor, hyperreflexia, fever, dilated pupils, and diarrhea. If a patient experiences these symptoms while taking sertraline, it could indicate serotonin syndrome and should be reported immediately for medical evaluation.