A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient who was injured in a motor-vehicle crash. The patient reports dyspnea and severe pain.
The nurse notes that the patient’s chest moves inward during inspiration and bulges out during expiration. The nurse should identify this finding as which of the following?
Flail chest
Hemothorax
Atelectasis
Pneumothorax
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
The symptoms described, including the paradoxical movement of the chest wall (moving inward during inspiration and outward during expiration), are indicative of a flail chest, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a segment of the rib cage breaks due to trauma and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall.
Choice B rationale
Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity). It’s often caused by chest trauma. It does not cause the chest to move inward during inspiration and outward during expiration.
Choice C rationale
Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area (lobe) of the lung. It does not cause the chest to move inward during inspiration and outward during expiration.
Choice D rationale
Pneumothorax is a collapsed lung. It does not cause the chest to move inward during inspiration and outward during expiration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Bumetanide is a diuretic, which means it helps your body get rid of extra water. This can make you urinate more often. Taking the second dose at night could disrupt your sleep.
Choice B rationale
While it’s important to monitor fluid intake when taking a diuretic, there’s no specific requirement to limit fluid intake to 1.5 liters a day. Fluid needs can vary based on individual circumstances.
Choice C rationale
Bumetanide can sometimes cause hearing changes or loss, which is usually reversible once the medication is stopped. Therefore, patients should report any changes in hearing to their healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale
Bumetanide can cause the body to lose potassium, which is an important nutrient for heart function. Therefore, it’s usually recommended to consume foods high in potassium, not avoid them.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Eyelid swelling is not a common side effect of sumatriptan. If a patient experiences this side effect, they should report it to their healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale
If the headache persists after taking sumatriptan, the patient can repeat the dose in 1 hour. This is a standard instruction for the use of sumatriptan in the treatment of migraine headaches.
Choice C rationale
Sumatriptan is not typically taken daily to prevent headaches. It is used to treat migraines once they have started.
Choice D rationale
Sumatriptan tablets should be swallowed whole, not chewed. Chewing the tablet could result in too much of the drug being released at once.
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