A client with heart failure is admitted to the medical surgical unit with pneumonia. To reduce cardiac workload, which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Provide a bedside commode for toileting.
Assist with ambulation in the hallway.
Teach to sleep in a side-lying position.
Encourage active range of motion exercises.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Provide a bedside commode for toileting: This intervention helps reduce the cardiac workload by minimizing the effort needed for the client to walk to the bathroom. It allows the client to conserve energy and reduce the strain on the heart.
B. Assist with ambulation in the hallway: While mobility is important, ambulating in the hallway can increase the heart’s workload, especially in a client with heart failure and pneumonia. It's best to minimize unnecessary physical exertion to prevent exacerbations.
C. Teach to sleep in a side-lying position: While side-lying can sometimes help with breathing, this position does not directly reduce the cardiac workload. The priority is ensuring the client has adequate rest and minimizing physical strain.
D. Encourage active range of motion exercises: While range of motion exercises are important for preventing complications like muscle atrophy, they may increase the cardiac workload. For a client with pneumonia and heart failure, the priority is to reduce exertion and conserve energy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Monitor ETT markings between 22 and 26 cm at teeth line: While the placement marking on the ETT can be useful for initial placement, it is not the most reliable way to confirm correct positioning. ETT placement should always be verified by clinical assessment rather than relying solely on measurements.
B. Check for capillary refill of 3 seconds or less: Capillary refill is a general indicator of peripheral circulation and does not directly assess whether the ETT is properly placed in the trachea. It is not useful for confirming ETT placement.
C. Auscultate for presence of bilateral breath sounds: This is a key assessment to confirm that the ETT is properly placed. Bilateral breath sounds indicate that air is entering both lungs, suggesting that the tube is correctly positioned in the trachea and not in the esophagus.
D. Obtain a portable chest x-ray to verify ETT location: A chest x-ray is the gold standard for confirming the correct placement of the ETT. It provides an accurate visual confirmation of the tube’s position relative to the carina and the lungs.
E. Assess for symmetrical chest movement: Symmetrical chest movement is another important assessment to confirm proper ETT placement. If the ETT is correctly placed in the trachea, both sides of the chest will rise and fall equally with each breath, indicating effective ventilation.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"A","dropdown-group-2":"C"}
Explanation
Rationale:
- Pain: The client is reporting intense pain (10 on a 0 to 10 scale) in his left arm, and he is unable to move it. This suggests a possible fracture or significant soft tissue injury. Managing this pain is the priority to ensure the client’s comfort and prevent further complications.
- Compartment syndrome: Given the swelling, bruising, and coolness to the touch in the left arm, compartment syndrome is a serious risk. This occurs when swelling or bleeding in a muscle compartment increases pressure, potentially compromising blood flow to muscles and nerves. Immediate interventions are required to prevent tissue damage.
Rationale for Incorrect Options:
- Swelling: While swelling is present, it is a natural part of the healing process and not the primary concern in this case. The risk of compartment syndrome is much more urgent than managing swelling.
- Mobility: The client’s mobility is impaired due to pain, but pain management must be prioritized before focusing on restoring mobility. Only once pain is controlled should mobility be addressed.
- Fat embolism syndrome: Although fat embolism syndrome is a risk in traumatic fractures, especially with long bone injuries, the symptoms of this client (swelling, bruising, cool arm) point more directly to the risk of compartment syndrome rather than fat embolism syndrome.
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE): VTE is a concern in immobilized patients, but in the acute phase, compartment syndrome poses a more immediate threat. The priority is to manage the current trauma and risk for compartment syndrome before considering VTE prevention.
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