The nurse is assessing a patient with a respiratory problem. Which is most reflective of
an early adaptation to hypoxia?
1. Apnea
2. Cyanosis
3. Restlessness
4. Dysrhythmias - answer3. Restlessness
1. Apnea, a complete absence of respirations, is
the cause of, not an adaptation to, hypoxia.
2. Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin
and mucous membranes caused by reduced
oxygen in the blood, is a late sign of hypoxia.
3. Hypoxia is insuffi cient oxygen anywhere
in the body. An early sign of hypoxia is
restlessness, which is caused by the lack of
cerebral perfusion of oxygen.
4. A dysrhythmia, a pulse with an irregular
rhythm, can occur with hypoxia but it is a late
adaptation.
The nurse in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit is monitoring several patients who received
general anesthesia. Which patient adaptation causes the most concern?
1. Pain
2. Stridor
3. Lethargy
4. Diaphoresis - answer2. Stridor
1. Pain is an expected response to the trauma of
surgery and usually can be managed effectively.
2. Stridor is an obvious audible shrill, harsh
sound caused by laryngeal obstruction.
The larynx can become edematous because
of the trauma of intubation associated
with general anesthesia. Obstruction of
the larynx is life-threatening because it
prevents the exchange of gases between
the lungs and atmospheric air.
3. Lethargy, which is drowsiness or sluggishness,
,is an expected response to anesthesia
and narcotic medications because these
medications depress the central nervous
system.
4. Although diaphoresis is a cause for concern,
it is not as immediately life-threatening as an
adaptation in another option. Diaphoresis can
be related to a warm environment, impaired
thermoregulation, the General Adaptation
Syndrome, or shock.
When administering oxygen via a wall-outlet system, the nursing action that is
unnecessary for a low liter flow as opposed to a high liter flow is:
1. Attaching a flowmeter to the wall outlet
2. Providing oral hygiene whenever necessary
3. Hanging an Oxygen in Use sign outside the patient's room
4. Humidifying the oxygen before it is delivered to the patient - answer4. Humidifying the
oxygen before it is delivered to the patient
1. All oxygen systems should have a flowmeter to
control and maintain the flow of oxygen gas.
2. All oxygen is drying to the oral mucosa.
Therefore, oral hygiene should be provided
frequently to moisten the mucous membranes.
3. Oxygen in use signs should be displayed
prominently on the patient's door and bed
to alert others that oxygen is in use and that
safety precautions should be implemented.
4. A low liter fl ow system administers a
volume of oxygen designed to supplement
the inspired room air to provide airfl ow
equal to the person's minute ventilation.
A high liter fl ow system administers a
volume of oxygen designed to exceed the
volume of air required for the person's
minute ventilation. The low liter fl ow
system is less drying than the high
liter fl ow system and humidifi cation is
unnecessary. A humidifi er is a mechanical
device that adds water vapor to air in a
particle size that can carry moisture to the
small airways.
The nurse is teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. The nurse should
assist the patient to assume which position?
1. Sitting
1. An upright sitting position in a bed or chair
facilitates maximum thoracic excursion
because it permits the diaphragm to
contract without pressure being exerted
against it by abdominal viscera.
2. The side-lying position is not ideal for the use
of an incentive spirometer because it limits
thoracic expansion. The side-lying position
allows the abdominal viscera to exert pressure
against the diaphragm during inspiration
and the lung on the lower side of the body is
compressed by the weight of the body.
3. The orthopneic position raises intraabdominal
and intrathoracic pressures that can
limit thoracic excursion.
4. The low-Fowler's position does not maximize
the effects of gravity. Gravity moves
abdominal viscera away from the diaphragm
and thus facilitates the contraction of the
diaphragm, both of which promote thoracic
expansion.
Which is the most important action by the nurse after a patient has a thoracotomy?
1. Ensure the patient's intake is at least 3000 mL of fl uid per 24 hours
2. Provide the patient with adequate medication for pain relief
3. Maintain the integrity of the patient's chest tube
4. Reposition the patient every 2 hours - answer3. Maintain the integrity of the patient's
chest tube
1. This is unnecessary. A fluid intake of
approximately 2000 mL of fluid is adequate.
2. Although this is extremely important, it is not
the priority.
3. A tension pneumothorax may occur
if the integrity of the chest drainage
system becomes compromised (e.g.,
open to atmospheric pressure, clogged
drainage tube, or mechanical dysfunction).
Maintaining respiratory functioning is the
priority.
4. Although repositioning is done to promote
drainage of secretions from lung segments and
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