RNSG 1105 REVIEW TIPS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SET A+
✔✔Why turn a post-op patient every 2 hours? - ✔✔to assist with ventilation and
redistribution of pulmonary blood flow
✔✔What is the rationale for having a post-op patient do coughing exercises? -
✔✔permits patient to remove secretions from both upper and lower airways
✔✔Proper technique for coughing - ✔✔splint abdomen for patients with abdominal
incision
Take 2 deep breaths (IN-2-3-4, OUT-2-3-4)
On 3rd deep breath, COUGH on expiration
✔✔How does performing breathing exercises support post-op patient's respiratory
function? - ✔✔1. loosens respiratory secretions
2. improves pulmonary ventilation
3. counteracts the effects of anesthesia and/or hypoventilation
4. expands collapsed alveoli (atelectasis)
✔✔Which type of breathing do you teach to patients who are hypoventilating? -
✔✔deep diaphragmatic breathing
✔✔What type of breathing do you teach to patients with COPD or asthma (chronic
breathing problems)? - ✔✔pursed-lip breathing
✔✔What is the purpose of using an incentive spirometer? - ✔✔1. increases inspiratory
volume
2. inflate alveoli/lungs
3. allows patients to monitor their progress
4. provides visual reinforcement for the breathing efforts
, ✔✔What are key points to state when instructing pt how to use an incentive spirometer?
- ✔✔1. inhalation - inhale slowly like you are sucking on a straw
2. hold breath for several seconds before exhaling through nose, if possible
✔✔Patient becomes short of breath when he lies down. What is the first nursing
intervention? - ✔✔Raise the head of the bed to a semi-fowler's
✔✔Benefits gained from positioning - ✔✔Activation of cough reflex
Reduce pain
Increase ventilatory compensation
Drainage of areas of the lungs
Maintaining a patent airway
✔✔Why might a post-op, hypoventilating patient be a candidate for oxygen therapy? -
✔✔with hypoventilation, he could have inadequate transport of oxygen and develop
hypoxemia
✔✔What is the purpose of humidification of oxygen? - ✔✔moistens the airways, which
loosens and mobilizes pulmonary secretions and comfort of patient
✔✔Why is a HCPs order needed to give oxygen? - ✔✔can be dangerous due to oxygen
toxicity, we treat it like a medication (need an order to go up, but not to go down or D/C
if needed)
✔✔What are some advantages of using a nasal cannula? - ✔✔most easily tolerated, do
not need to discontinue to eat, drink or talk
✔✔What are 2 nursing interventions for a patient who is wearing a nasal cannula? -
✔✔humidification and monitor for skin breakdown behind ears and under nose
✔✔Simple face mask - ✔✔covers patient's mouth and nose for oxygen inhalation; must
be discontinued for eating and drinking; delivers 40-60% oxygen with liter flows of 5-8
liters/minute
✔✔Oxygen therapy safety precautions - ✔✔avoid open flames in the room
place "no smoking" sign on the door, at head of bed, and on the oxygen equipment
instruct patient/visitors about precautions
make sure electrical devices are in good working order to prevent sparks
avoid materials that generate static electricity
avoid using oils and petroleum jelly
ground equipment
make known location and use of fire extinguishers
✔✔Pulse Oximetry used to assess patient's - ✔✔1. oxygen saturation (SpO2) & HR
SET A+
✔✔Why turn a post-op patient every 2 hours? - ✔✔to assist with ventilation and
redistribution of pulmonary blood flow
✔✔What is the rationale for having a post-op patient do coughing exercises? -
✔✔permits patient to remove secretions from both upper and lower airways
✔✔Proper technique for coughing - ✔✔splint abdomen for patients with abdominal
incision
Take 2 deep breaths (IN-2-3-4, OUT-2-3-4)
On 3rd deep breath, COUGH on expiration
✔✔How does performing breathing exercises support post-op patient's respiratory
function? - ✔✔1. loosens respiratory secretions
2. improves pulmonary ventilation
3. counteracts the effects of anesthesia and/or hypoventilation
4. expands collapsed alveoli (atelectasis)
✔✔Which type of breathing do you teach to patients who are hypoventilating? -
✔✔deep diaphragmatic breathing
✔✔What type of breathing do you teach to patients with COPD or asthma (chronic
breathing problems)? - ✔✔pursed-lip breathing
✔✔What is the purpose of using an incentive spirometer? - ✔✔1. increases inspiratory
volume
2. inflate alveoli/lungs
3. allows patients to monitor their progress
4. provides visual reinforcement for the breathing efforts
, ✔✔What are key points to state when instructing pt how to use an incentive spirometer?
- ✔✔1. inhalation - inhale slowly like you are sucking on a straw
2. hold breath for several seconds before exhaling through nose, if possible
✔✔Patient becomes short of breath when he lies down. What is the first nursing
intervention? - ✔✔Raise the head of the bed to a semi-fowler's
✔✔Benefits gained from positioning - ✔✔Activation of cough reflex
Reduce pain
Increase ventilatory compensation
Drainage of areas of the lungs
Maintaining a patent airway
✔✔Why might a post-op, hypoventilating patient be a candidate for oxygen therapy? -
✔✔with hypoventilation, he could have inadequate transport of oxygen and develop
hypoxemia
✔✔What is the purpose of humidification of oxygen? - ✔✔moistens the airways, which
loosens and mobilizes pulmonary secretions and comfort of patient
✔✔Why is a HCPs order needed to give oxygen? - ✔✔can be dangerous due to oxygen
toxicity, we treat it like a medication (need an order to go up, but not to go down or D/C
if needed)
✔✔What are some advantages of using a nasal cannula? - ✔✔most easily tolerated, do
not need to discontinue to eat, drink or talk
✔✔What are 2 nursing interventions for a patient who is wearing a nasal cannula? -
✔✔humidification and monitor for skin breakdown behind ears and under nose
✔✔Simple face mask - ✔✔covers patient's mouth and nose for oxygen inhalation; must
be discontinued for eating and drinking; delivers 40-60% oxygen with liter flows of 5-8
liters/minute
✔✔Oxygen therapy safety precautions - ✔✔avoid open flames in the room
place "no smoking" sign on the door, at head of bed, and on the oxygen equipment
instruct patient/visitors about precautions
make sure electrical devices are in good working order to prevent sparks
avoid materials that generate static electricity
avoid using oils and petroleum jelly
ground equipment
make known location and use of fire extinguishers
✔✔Pulse Oximetry used to assess patient's - ✔✔1. oxygen saturation (SpO2) & HR
