A client in the emergency department is experiencing an acute asthma exacerbation, which has not improved with albuterol nebulizer treatments. The client is obviously struggling to breathe. The nurse anticipates that intubation and mechanical ventilation will be needed based on which of the following assessment findings?

Tachycardia

Anxiety

Hypotension

Loud expiratory wheezing

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A.   Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) can occur in response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels), stress, or as a side effect of medications like albuterol. While tachycardia is a concerning sign in the context of an asthma exacerbation, it alone does not directly indicate the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. It is often managed by addressing the underlying respiratory distress and improving oxygenation.
B.   Anxiety is common in patients struggling to breathe, as they may feel frightened or panicked due to their difficulty breathing. However, anxiety itself is not an indicator for intubation and mechanical ventilation. It is a symptom of respiratory distress but does not directly assess the severity of the physiological need for mechanical support.
C.   Hypotension (low blood pressure) in the context of an asthma exacerbation can be a sign of severe illness, possibly indicating shock or severe respiratory distress leading to reduced cardiac output. While hypotension is a serious concern, it is less directly related to the immediate need for intubation and mechanical ventilation compared to other indicators of respiratory failure.
D.   Loud expiratory wheezing indicates significant airway obstruction but does not necessarily reflect the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Wheezing can be a sign of severe asthma but may not be sufficient on its own to necessitate intubation if the patient can still maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Radiofrequency catheter ablation involves the use of electrical energy (radiofrequency energy) delivered through a catheter to destroy or ablate the areas of the heart tissue responsible for the abnormal electrical signals causing atrial flutter. This destruction of tissue helps to interrupt the abnormal electrical pathways and restore normal rhythm.
B. The procedure for atrial flutter ablation does not use cold therapy. Instead, it uses radiofrequency energy (heat) to ablate the tissue. Cold therapy, or cryoablation, is a different technique that uses extreme cold to achieve similar effects but is not the standard approach for radiofrequency catheter ablation.
C. Radiofrequency catheter ablation does not involve removing clots. The primary purpose of the procedure is to ablate abnormal tissue causing arrhythmias, not to address clots. Managing clots may involve anticoagulant therapy or other treatments, but it is not the focus of ablation.
D. Radiofrequency catheter ablation does not stimulate the growth of new conduction pathways. Instead, it aims to destroy the abnormal conduction pathways responsible for arrhythmias.

Correct Answer is ["50"]

Explanation

Flow rate in gtt/min = (Volume in mL * Drop factor) / Time in minutes.
The prescribed volume is 150 mL/hr. Since there are 60 minutes in an hour, the time for one hour would be 60 minutes. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL.
(150 mL/hr * 20 gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr = 3000 gtt/hr / 60 min/hr = 50 gtt/min.
Therefore, the nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver 50 gtt/min.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient who is scheduled for a radiofrequency catheter ablation for treatment of atrial flutter?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["50"]

Explanation

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