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Clinical Reasoning Cases in Nursing 7th Edition Harding Snyder Test Bank
Chapter 1.Perfusion
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is explaining to a student nurse about impaired central perfusion. The nurse knows
the student understands this problem when the student states, Central perfusion
M
a. is monitored only by the physician.
O
b. involves the entire body.
.C
c. is decreased with hypertension.
LD
d. is toxic to the cardiac system.
ANS: B
R
Central perfusion does involve the entire body as all organs are supplied with oxygen and vital
O
nutrients. The physician does not control the bodys ability for perfusion. Central perfusion is not
decreased with hypertension. Central perfusion is not toxic to the cardiac system.
W
2. A patient was diagnosed with hypertension. The patient asks the nurse how this disease could
KS
have happened to them. The nurses best response is Hypertension
a. happens to everyone sooner or later. Dont be concerned about it.
b.
N
can happen from eating a poor diet, so change what you are eating.
BA
c. can happen from arterial changes that impede the blood flow.
d. happens when people do not exercise, so you should walk every day.
ST
ANS: C
Hardening of the arteries from atherosclerosis can cause hypertension in the patient.
TE
Hypertension does not happen to everyone. Changing the patients diet and exercising may be a
positive life change, but these answers do not explain to the patient how the disease could have
G
happened.
3. The patient asks the nurse to explain the sinoatrial node in the heart. The nurses best response
N
would be, The sinoatrial node
SI
a. provides the heart with the stimulation to beat in a normal rhythm.
R
b. protects the heart from atherosclerotic changes.
U
c. provides the heart with oxygenated blood.
.N
d. protects the heart from infection.
W
ANS: A
The sinoatrial node is the natural pacemaker of the heart, and it assists the heart to beat in a
W
normal rhythm. The sinoatrial node does not protect from atherosclerotic changes or infection,
and it does not directly provide the heart with oxygenated blood.
W
4. The patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The patient
is diagnosed with internal bleeding. The nurses primary concern is to monitor for
a. mental alertness.
b. perfusion.
, c. pain.
d. reaction to medications.
ANS: B
Perfusion is the correct answer, because with internal bleeding, the nurse should monitor vital
signs to be sure perfusion is happening. Mental alertness, pain, and medication reactions are
important but not the primary concern.
M
5. A patients serum electrolytes are being monitored. The nurse notices that the potassium level
O
is low. The nurse knows that the patient should be observed for
a. tissue ischemia.
.C
b. brain malformations.
LD
c. intestinal blockage.
R
d. cardiac dysthymia.
O
ANS: D
Cardiac dysthymia is a possibility when serum potassium is high or low. Tissue ischemia, brain
W
malformations, or intestinal blockage do not have a direct correlation to potassium irregularities.
6. A nurse is explaining to a student nurse about perfusion. The nurse knows the student
KS
understands the concept of perfusion when the student states, Perfusion
a. is a normal function of the body, and I dont have to be concerned about it.
N
b. is monitored by the physician, and I just follow orders.
BA
c. is monitored by vital signs and capillary refill.
ST
d. varies as a person ages, so I would expect changes in the body.
ANS: C
TE
The best method to monitor perfusion is to monitor vital signs and capillary refill. This allows
the nurse to know if perfusion is adequate to maintain vital organs. The nurse does have to be
concerned about perfusion. Perfusion is not only monitored by the physician but the nurse too.
G
Perfusion does not always change as the person ages.
N
7. The nurse is conducting a patient assessment. The patient tells the nurse that he has smoked
SI
two packs of cigarettes per day for 27 years. The nurse may find which data upon assessment?
a. Blood pressure above the normal range
R
b. Bounding pedal pulses
U
.N
c. Night blindness
d. Reflux disease
W
ANS: A
W
Smokers have a constriction of the blood vessels due to the tar and nicotine in cigarettes. This
constriction may lead to hypertension. Bounding pulses, night blindness, and reflux disease do
W
not have a direct link to smoking.
Chapter 2.Gas Exchange
MULTIPLE CHOICE
,1. The nurse is assigned a group of patients. Which patient would the nurse identify as being at
increased risk for impaired gas exchange? A patient
a. with a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL
b. who has been on anticoagulants for 10 days
c. with a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL
M
d. with a heart rate of 100 beats/min and blood pressure of 100/60
ANS: C
O
The hemoglobin is low (anemia), therefore the ability of the blood to carry oxygen is decreased.
.C
High blood glucose and/or anticoagulants do not alter the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
A heart rate of 100 beats/min and blood pressure of 100/60 are not indicative of oxygen carrying
LD
capacity of the blood.
2. The nurse is reviewing the patients arterial blood gas results. The PaO2 is 96 mm Hg, pH is
R
7.20, PaCO2 is 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 is 25 mEq/L. What would the nurse expect to observe on
O
assessment of this patient?
W
a. Disorientation and tremors
b. Tachycardia and decreased blood pressure
KS
c. Increased anxiety and irritability
d. Hyperventilation and lethargy N
BA
ANS: A
The patient is experiencing respiratory acidosis ( pH, and PaCO2 ) which may be manifested
ST
by disorientation, tremors, possible seizures, and decreased level of consciousness. Tachycardia
and decreased blood pressure are not characteristic of a problem of respiratory acidosis.
Increased anxiety and hyperventilation will cause respiratory alkalosis, which is manifested by
TE
an increase in pH and a decrease in PaCO2.
3. The nurse would identify which patient as having a problem of impaired gas exchange
G
secondary to a perfusion problem? A patient with
N
a. peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities
SI
b. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
R
c. chronic asthma
U
d. severe anemia secondary to chemotherapy
.N
ANS: A
Perfusion relates to the ability of the blood to deliver oxygen to the cellular level and return the
W
carbon dioxide to the lung for removal. COPD and asthma are examples of a ventilation
problem. Severe anemia is an example of a transport problem of gas exchange.
W
4. The nurse is assessing a patients differential white blood cell count. What implications would
W
this test have on evaluating the adequacy of a patients gas exchange?
a. An elevation of the total white cell count indicates generalized inflammation.
b. Eosinophil count will assist to identify the presence of a respiratory infection.
c. White cell count will differentiate types of respiratory bacteria.
d. Level of neutrophils provides guidelines to monitor a chronic infection.
, ANS: A
Elevation of total white cell count is indicative of inflammation that is often due to an infection.
Upper respiratory infections are common problems in altering a patients gas exchange.
Eosinophil cells are increased in an allergic response. Neutrophils are more indicative of an acute
inflammatory response. White cells do not assist to differentiate types of respiratory bacteria.
Monocytes are an indicator of progress of a chronic infection.
5. The acid-base status of a patient is dependent on normal gas exchange. Which patient would
M
the nurse identify as having an increased risk for the development of respiratory acidosis? A
O
patient with
.C
a. chronic lung disease with increased carbon dioxide retention
b. acute anxiety, hyperventilation, and decreased carbon dioxide retention
LD
c. decreased cardiac output with increased serum lactic acid production
R
d. gastric drainage with increased removal of gastric acid
O
ANS: A
Respiratory acidosis is caused by an increase in retention of carbon dioxide, regardless of the
W
underlying disease. A decrease in carbon dioxide retention may lead to respiratory alkalosis. An
KS
increase in production of lactic acid leads to metabolic acidosis. Removal of an acid (gastric
secretions) will lead to a metabolic alkalosis.
6. Which patient would the nurse identify as being at an increased risk for altered transport of
N
oxygen? A patient with
BA
a. hemoglobin level of 8.0
b. bronchoconstriction and mucus
ST
c. peripheral arterial disease
TE
d. decreased thoracic expansion
ANS: A
G
Altered transportation of oxygen refers to patients with insufficient red blood cells to transport
the oxygen present. Bronchoconstriction and decreased thoracic expansion (spinal cord injury)
N
would result in impairment of ventilation. Peripheral vascular disease would result in inadequate
SI
perfusion.
7. A 3-month-old infant is at increased risk for developing anemia. The nurse would identify
R
which principle contributing to this risk?
U
a. The infant is becoming more active.
.N
b. There is an increase in intake of breast milk or formula.
W
c. The infant is unable to maintain an adequate iron intake.
W
d. A depletion of fetal hemoglobin occurs.
ANS: D
W
Fetal hemoglobin is present for about 5 months. The fetal hemoglobin begins deteriorating, and
around 2 to 3 months the infant is at increased risk of developing an anemia due to decreasing
levels of hemoglobin. Breast milk or formula is the primary food intake up to around 6 months.
Often iron supplemented formula is offered, and/or an iron supplement is given if the infant is
breastfed.
REF: 162 OBJ: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Clinical Reasoning Cases in Nursing 7th Edition Harding Snyder Test Bank
Chapter 1.Perfusion
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is explaining to a student nurse about impaired central perfusion. The nurse knows
the student understands this problem when the student states, Central perfusion
M
a. is monitored only by the physician.
O
b. involves the entire body.
.C
c. is decreased with hypertension.
LD
d. is toxic to the cardiac system.
ANS: B
R
Central perfusion does involve the entire body as all organs are supplied with oxygen and vital
O
nutrients. The physician does not control the bodys ability for perfusion. Central perfusion is not
decreased with hypertension. Central perfusion is not toxic to the cardiac system.
W
2. A patient was diagnosed with hypertension. The patient asks the nurse how this disease could
KS
have happened to them. The nurses best response is Hypertension
a. happens to everyone sooner or later. Dont be concerned about it.
b.
N
can happen from eating a poor diet, so change what you are eating.
BA
c. can happen from arterial changes that impede the blood flow.
d. happens when people do not exercise, so you should walk every day.
ST
ANS: C
Hardening of the arteries from atherosclerosis can cause hypertension in the patient.
TE
Hypertension does not happen to everyone. Changing the patients diet and exercising may be a
positive life change, but these answers do not explain to the patient how the disease could have
G
happened.
3. The patient asks the nurse to explain the sinoatrial node in the heart. The nurses best response
N
would be, The sinoatrial node
SI
a. provides the heart with the stimulation to beat in a normal rhythm.
R
b. protects the heart from atherosclerotic changes.
U
c. provides the heart with oxygenated blood.
.N
d. protects the heart from infection.
W
ANS: A
The sinoatrial node is the natural pacemaker of the heart, and it assists the heart to beat in a
W
normal rhythm. The sinoatrial node does not protect from atherosclerotic changes or infection,
and it does not directly provide the heart with oxygenated blood.
W
4. The patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The patient
is diagnosed with internal bleeding. The nurses primary concern is to monitor for
a. mental alertness.
b. perfusion.
, c. pain.
d. reaction to medications.
ANS: B
Perfusion is the correct answer, because with internal bleeding, the nurse should monitor vital
signs to be sure perfusion is happening. Mental alertness, pain, and medication reactions are
important but not the primary concern.
M
5. A patients serum electrolytes are being monitored. The nurse notices that the potassium level
O
is low. The nurse knows that the patient should be observed for
a. tissue ischemia.
.C
b. brain malformations.
LD
c. intestinal blockage.
R
d. cardiac dysthymia.
O
ANS: D
Cardiac dysthymia is a possibility when serum potassium is high or low. Tissue ischemia, brain
W
malformations, or intestinal blockage do not have a direct correlation to potassium irregularities.
6. A nurse is explaining to a student nurse about perfusion. The nurse knows the student
KS
understands the concept of perfusion when the student states, Perfusion
a. is a normal function of the body, and I dont have to be concerned about it.
N
b. is monitored by the physician, and I just follow orders.
BA
c. is monitored by vital signs and capillary refill.
ST
d. varies as a person ages, so I would expect changes in the body.
ANS: C
TE
The best method to monitor perfusion is to monitor vital signs and capillary refill. This allows
the nurse to know if perfusion is adequate to maintain vital organs. The nurse does have to be
concerned about perfusion. Perfusion is not only monitored by the physician but the nurse too.
G
Perfusion does not always change as the person ages.
N
7. The nurse is conducting a patient assessment. The patient tells the nurse that he has smoked
SI
two packs of cigarettes per day for 27 years. The nurse may find which data upon assessment?
a. Blood pressure above the normal range
R
b. Bounding pedal pulses
U
.N
c. Night blindness
d. Reflux disease
W
ANS: A
W
Smokers have a constriction of the blood vessels due to the tar and nicotine in cigarettes. This
constriction may lead to hypertension. Bounding pulses, night blindness, and reflux disease do
W
not have a direct link to smoking.
Chapter 2.Gas Exchange
MULTIPLE CHOICE
,1. The nurse is assigned a group of patients. Which patient would the nurse identify as being at
increased risk for impaired gas exchange? A patient
a. with a blood glucose of 350 mg/dL
b. who has been on anticoagulants for 10 days
c. with a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL
M
d. with a heart rate of 100 beats/min and blood pressure of 100/60
ANS: C
O
The hemoglobin is low (anemia), therefore the ability of the blood to carry oxygen is decreased.
.C
High blood glucose and/or anticoagulants do not alter the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
A heart rate of 100 beats/min and blood pressure of 100/60 are not indicative of oxygen carrying
LD
capacity of the blood.
2. The nurse is reviewing the patients arterial blood gas results. The PaO2 is 96 mm Hg, pH is
R
7.20, PaCO2 is 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 is 25 mEq/L. What would the nurse expect to observe on
O
assessment of this patient?
W
a. Disorientation and tremors
b. Tachycardia and decreased blood pressure
KS
c. Increased anxiety and irritability
d. Hyperventilation and lethargy N
BA
ANS: A
The patient is experiencing respiratory acidosis ( pH, and PaCO2 ) which may be manifested
ST
by disorientation, tremors, possible seizures, and decreased level of consciousness. Tachycardia
and decreased blood pressure are not characteristic of a problem of respiratory acidosis.
Increased anxiety and hyperventilation will cause respiratory alkalosis, which is manifested by
TE
an increase in pH and a decrease in PaCO2.
3. The nurse would identify which patient as having a problem of impaired gas exchange
G
secondary to a perfusion problem? A patient with
N
a. peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities
SI
b. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
R
c. chronic asthma
U
d. severe anemia secondary to chemotherapy
.N
ANS: A
Perfusion relates to the ability of the blood to deliver oxygen to the cellular level and return the
W
carbon dioxide to the lung for removal. COPD and asthma are examples of a ventilation
problem. Severe anemia is an example of a transport problem of gas exchange.
W
4. The nurse is assessing a patients differential white blood cell count. What implications would
W
this test have on evaluating the adequacy of a patients gas exchange?
a. An elevation of the total white cell count indicates generalized inflammation.
b. Eosinophil count will assist to identify the presence of a respiratory infection.
c. White cell count will differentiate types of respiratory bacteria.
d. Level of neutrophils provides guidelines to monitor a chronic infection.
, ANS: A
Elevation of total white cell count is indicative of inflammation that is often due to an infection.
Upper respiratory infections are common problems in altering a patients gas exchange.
Eosinophil cells are increased in an allergic response. Neutrophils are more indicative of an acute
inflammatory response. White cells do not assist to differentiate types of respiratory bacteria.
Monocytes are an indicator of progress of a chronic infection.
5. The acid-base status of a patient is dependent on normal gas exchange. Which patient would
M
the nurse identify as having an increased risk for the development of respiratory acidosis? A
O
patient with
.C
a. chronic lung disease with increased carbon dioxide retention
b. acute anxiety, hyperventilation, and decreased carbon dioxide retention
LD
c. decreased cardiac output with increased serum lactic acid production
R
d. gastric drainage with increased removal of gastric acid
O
ANS: A
Respiratory acidosis is caused by an increase in retention of carbon dioxide, regardless of the
W
underlying disease. A decrease in carbon dioxide retention may lead to respiratory alkalosis. An
KS
increase in production of lactic acid leads to metabolic acidosis. Removal of an acid (gastric
secretions) will lead to a metabolic alkalosis.
6. Which patient would the nurse identify as being at an increased risk for altered transport of
N
oxygen? A patient with
BA
a. hemoglobin level of 8.0
b. bronchoconstriction and mucus
ST
c. peripheral arterial disease
TE
d. decreased thoracic expansion
ANS: A
G
Altered transportation of oxygen refers to patients with insufficient red blood cells to transport
the oxygen present. Bronchoconstriction and decreased thoracic expansion (spinal cord injury)
N
would result in impairment of ventilation. Peripheral vascular disease would result in inadequate
SI
perfusion.
7. A 3-month-old infant is at increased risk for developing anemia. The nurse would identify
R
which principle contributing to this risk?
U
a. The infant is becoming more active.
.N
b. There is an increase in intake of breast milk or formula.
W
c. The infant is unable to maintain an adequate iron intake.
W
d. A depletion of fetal hemoglobin occurs.
ANS: D
W
Fetal hemoglobin is present for about 5 months. The fetal hemoglobin begins deteriorating, and
around 2 to 3 months the infant is at increased risk of developing an anemia due to decreasing
levels of hemoglobin. Breast milk or formula is the primary food intake up to around 6 months.
Often iron supplemented formula is offered, and/or an iron supplement is given if the infant is
breastfed.
REF: 162 OBJ: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
