System NCLEX questions with answers |\ |\ |\ |\
A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the
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hospital. Which action should the nurse take during the initial
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assessment of the patient? |\ |\ |\
a. Ask the patient to lie down to complete a full physical
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assessment.
b. Briefly ask specific questions about this episode of respiratory
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distress.
c. Complete the admission database to check for allergies before
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treatment.
d. Delay the physical assessment to first complete pulmonary
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function tests. - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔ANS: B
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When a patient has severe respiratory distress, only information
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pertinent to the current episode is obtained, and a more
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thorough assessment is deferred until later. Obtaining a
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comprehensive health history or full physical examination is |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
unnecessary until the acute distress has resolved. Brief |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
questioning and a focused physical assessment should be done |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
rapidly to help determine the cause of the distress and suggest
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treatment. Checking for allergies is important, but it is not
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appropriate to complete the entire admission database at this |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
time. The initial respiratory assessment must be completed
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before any diagnostic tests or interventions can be ordered.
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The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for
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a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
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a. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
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, b. In a high-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
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c. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
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d. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an over bed table -
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CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔ANS: D |\ |\ |\
The upright position with the arms supported increases lung
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expansion, allows fluid to collect at the lung bases, and expands |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
the intercostal space so that access to the pleural space is easier.
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The other positions would increase the work of breathing for the
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patient and make it more difficult for the health care provider
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performing the thoracentesis |\ |\
A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28;
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PaCO2 34 mm Hg; PaO2 85 mm Hg; HCO3- 18 mEq/L. The nurse
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would expect which finding? |\ |\ |\
a. Intercostal retractions
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b. Kussmaul respirations
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c. Low oxygen saturation (SpO2)
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d. Decreased venous O2 pressure - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔ANS:
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B
Kussmaul (deep and rapid) respirations are a compensatory
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mechanism for metabolic acidosis. The low pH and low |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
bicarbonate result indicate metabolic acidosis. Intercostal |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
retractions, a low oxygen saturation rate, and a decrease in |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
venous O2 pressure would not be caused by acidosis.
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On auscultation of a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched,
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bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both
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lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?
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a. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
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