Medical-Surgical; Respiratory
Questions and Correct Answers
A nurse is reinforcing preoperative teaching with a client who is to undergo a pneumonectomy.
The client states, "I am afraid it will hurt to cough after the surgery." Which of the following
statements should the nurse make?
a. after the surgeon removes the lung you will not need to cough
b. It will make sure you get a cough suppressant to keep you from straining the incision when
you cough
c. don't worry; you will have a pump that delivers pain medication as you need it, so you will
have very little pain
d. i will show you how to splint your incision while coughing - <CORRECT ANSWER >>d. "I will
show you how to splint your incision while coughing."
Explanation:
a and b. Will need to cough to clear secretions from remaining lung
c. pain medicaiton reduces pain to tolerable level; however doesn't necessarily keep the client
pain freed; additionally telling the client not to worry is a communication barrier that provide
false hope
d. splinting while coughing, will still allow the patient to clear secretions from remaining lung;
and allow them to splint the incision and reduce pain while coughing
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy with an inflated cuff in place. Which of the
following findings indicates that the nurse should suction the clients airway secretions?
, a. client is unable to speak
b. client's airway secretions were last suctioned 2 hrs ago
c. client's coughs and expectorates a large mucous plug
d. nurse asuculates coarse crackles in lung fields - <CORRECT ANSWER >>d. The client has
coarse crackles in the lung fields.
Explanation:
a. they will not be able to speak
b. should assess every 2 hrs and then suction as necessary
c. productive cough is good sign, suction only when client is not able to cough and expectorate
secretions
d. coarse crackles or ronchi identify a moist cough, hear or see secretions in trachesostomy
tube and then suction the client's airway secretions
A nurse is assisting with discharge teaching for a client who is postoperative following a
rhinoplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a. apply warm compresses to the face
b. take aspirin 650 mg by mouth for mild pain
Questions and Correct Answers
A nurse is reinforcing preoperative teaching with a client who is to undergo a pneumonectomy.
The client states, "I am afraid it will hurt to cough after the surgery." Which of the following
statements should the nurse make?
a. after the surgeon removes the lung you will not need to cough
b. It will make sure you get a cough suppressant to keep you from straining the incision when
you cough
c. don't worry; you will have a pump that delivers pain medication as you need it, so you will
have very little pain
d. i will show you how to splint your incision while coughing - <CORRECT ANSWER >>d. "I will
show you how to splint your incision while coughing."
Explanation:
a and b. Will need to cough to clear secretions from remaining lung
c. pain medicaiton reduces pain to tolerable level; however doesn't necessarily keep the client
pain freed; additionally telling the client not to worry is a communication barrier that provide
false hope
d. splinting while coughing, will still allow the patient to clear secretions from remaining lung;
and allow them to splint the incision and reduce pain while coughing
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy with an inflated cuff in place. Which of the
following findings indicates that the nurse should suction the clients airway secretions?
, a. client is unable to speak
b. client's airway secretions were last suctioned 2 hrs ago
c. client's coughs and expectorates a large mucous plug
d. nurse asuculates coarse crackles in lung fields - <CORRECT ANSWER >>d. The client has
coarse crackles in the lung fields.
Explanation:
a. they will not be able to speak
b. should assess every 2 hrs and then suction as necessary
c. productive cough is good sign, suction only when client is not able to cough and expectorate
secretions
d. coarse crackles or ronchi identify a moist cough, hear or see secretions in trachesostomy
tube and then suction the client's airway secretions
A nurse is assisting with discharge teaching for a client who is postoperative following a
rhinoplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
a. apply warm compresses to the face
b. take aspirin 650 mg by mouth for mild pain
