A client who is terminally ill has an advance directive that stipulates no resuscitative measures are to be taken. The client's death is imminent and the family is in the client's room. The client is currently exhibiting Cheyne-Stokes respirations and has a blood pressure of 60/30 mm Hg. Which is the priority nursing action?
Allow privacy for the family and client to express their feelings to one another.
Apply an automatic blood pressure cuff and take readings every 15 minutes.
Teach the client's family how to use an oral suction device to clear the airway.
Elevate the head of the client's bed and apply oxygen using a face mask.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Allowing privacy for the family and client is a compassionate and appropriate action, especially as the client's death is imminent. This respects the client's wishes and provides a supportive environment for the family to process their emotions and say their goodbyes.
B. Continuously measuring blood pressure in this scenario is less appropriate because the client is in the final stages of life and their focus should be on comfort rather than monitoring vital signs. Frequent blood pressure measurements may be distressing for the family and do not align with the goals of end- of-life care, which prioritize comfort and dignity.
C. Teaching the family to use an oral suction device is not appropriate at this stage because the client is actively dying, and such interventions are not typically useful or necessary in end-of-life care. The focus should be on providing comfort rather than invasive procedures or teaching new skills to family members.
D. Applying oxygen and elevating the head of the bed can be appropriate interventions for clients experiencing respiratory distress; however, this may conflict with the advance directive if the directive explicitly states no resuscitative measures
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Decreasing the time intervals between toileting can help prevent accidents by ensuring that the resident has more frequent opportunities to use the bathroom. Encouraging Kegel exercises (pelvic floor exercises) can help strengthen the muscles responsible for controlling urination and may improve incontinence.
B. Using disposable undergarments and changing them frequently can help manage incontinence and protect the skin from irritation and breakdown. However, this intervention primarily addresses the symptoms of incontinence rather than the underlying causes.
C. Limiting fluid intake in the evening can reduce the likelihood of nocturia (nighttime urination) and may help in managing urinary incontinence. However, reducing fluid intake can also lead to dehydration and other health issues.
D. Offering emotional support and reassurance is important for the resident’s mental well-being and can help reduce anxiety related to incontinence. Understanding that urinary incontinence is common among older adults can be comforting, but this approach alone does not address the practical management of the condition or contribute to improving urinary control.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This description is more characteristic of a Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injury. Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss and may expose subcutaneous tissue, and Stage 4 involves extensive damage with possible exposure of muscle, bone, or tendon. Sloughing (a type of necrotic tissue) is not typical of Stage 2 pressure injuries.
B. This description is more indicative of a Stage 1 pressure injury. Stage 1 injuries are characterized by non-blanchable erythema of intact skin, and pain or discomfort in the affected area is common. Stage 1 does not involve the loss of skin integrity, so it would not be the appearance of a Stage 2 injury.
C. This description accurately matches the appearance of a Stage 2 pressure injury. Stage 2 pressure injuries are characterized by partial-thickness loss of skin, which may present as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed. It does not extend through the entire thickness of the skin.
D. This description aligns with Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure injuries, which involve full-thickness skin loss with possible necrotic tissue and deep pockets of infection. These stages involve significant tissue damage beyond what is seen in Stage 2 injuries.
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