Correct Answers
The patient is a 54-year-old male with history of COPD, who was rushed to the emergency
department with increasing shortness of breath, pyrexia, and a productive cough with yellow-green
sputum. Measurement of arterial blood gas shows pH 7.3, PaCO2 68 mmHg, HCO3 28 mmol/L, and
PaO2 60 mmHg. How would you interpret this? - Correct Answer Respiratory acidosis, partially
compensated
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene, Thermazene) - Correct Answer Watch for allergic reaction causing a
drop in white blood cell count.
Do not use if reaction to sulfonamide has occurred.
Use on deep partial-thickness or full-thickness wounds.
Monitor wounds for infection
A client with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting presents to the emergency department. The
client is hypoventilating and has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min. Arterial blood gases are drawn
and the nurse reviews the results, expecting to note which of the following? - Correct Answer An
increased pH with an increased HCO3
A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis and documents that the client is experiencing
Kussmaul's respirations. Based on this documentation, which of the following did the nurse observe?
- Correct Answer Respirations that are labored and increased in depth and rate
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy and is receiving mechanical ventilation. When
the low-pressure alarm on the ventilator sounds, it indicates which of the following to the nurse? -
Correct Answer Decreased lung compliance
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who is postoperative following a hip
replacement surgery. The client reports feeling apprehensive and restless. Which of the following
findings should the nurse recognize as an indication of pulmonary embolism? - Correct Answer
Sudden onset of dyspnea
A client comes to the emergency department in severe respiratory distress following left-sided blunt
chest trauma. The nurse notes absent breath sounds on the client's left side and a tracheal shift to
the right. For which of the following procedures should the nurse prepare the client? - Correct
Answer Chest tube insertion
, A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute opioid toxicity. Which of the following actions
should the nurse identify as the priority? - Correct Answer Ensure an adequate airway
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is
experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first? -
Correct Answer Place the client in an upright position
A nurse is assessing a client who has pharyngitis. Which of the following findings is the nurse's
priority to report to the provider? - Correct Answer Inspiratory stridor
A nurse is caring for a client who has a 20-year history of COPD and is receiving oxygen therapy at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. The client is dyspneic and has an oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry of
85%. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? - Correct Answer Increase the oxygen
flow and request an arterial blood gas determination
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to have his chest tube removed. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? - Correct Answer Instruct the client to perform the Valsalva maneuver
during removal
A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia who is experiencing thick oral secretions. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first? - Correct Answer Encourage deep breathing and
coughing
Rib fracture cause - Correct Answer blunt trauma to chest wall; CPR
Rib fracture pain - Correct Answer defensive movements
reduced depth of breathing
reduced clearing of secretions
Flail Chest - Correct Answer At least 2 neighboring ribs in 2 or more places
Paradoxical chest movement
Blunt trauma, CPR can Cause
Vasodilator (Nitroprusside) - Correct Answer decreases pulmonary artery pressure if impeding
cardiac contractility