A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained burns over 35% of his total body surface area, including burns to the neck and shoulders. The client's voice has become hoarse, and he has a brassy cough. The nurse should identify these findings as indications that the client has which of the following?
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Pulmonary edema.
Inhalation injury.
Bacterial pneumonia.
The Correct Answer is J
Choice A reason: Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen from binding and leading to hypoxia. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. However, a hoarse voice and a brassy cough are not typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These symptoms are more indicative of an inhalation injury due to direct thermal or chemical damage to the airway.
Choice B reason: Pulmonary edema refers to fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can cause difficulty breathing, a feeling of suffocating or drowning, and a cough that produces frothy sputum. Although pulmonary edema can occur after significant burn injuries due to fluid resuscitation or other complications, the specific symptoms of a hoarse voice and brassy cough are more suggestive of an inhalation injury than pulmonary edema.
Choice C reason: An inhalation injury is
The correct answer. This type of injury occurs when a patient inhales smoke, hot gases, or toxic chemicals during a fire. Symptoms can include a hoarse voice, brassy cough, stridor, and respiratory distress. The hoarseness and brassy cough are classic signs of damage to the upper airway due to the inhalation of hot gases or smoke, leading to swelling and irritation of the airway tissues.
Choice D reason: Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, and chest pain. While pneumonia can develop as a secondary complication in burn patients, the immediate symptoms of a hoarse voice and brassy cough are more indicative of an inhalation injury rather than bacterial pneumonia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A low-protein diet can be beneficial in reducing the workload on the kidneys by decreasing the production of waste products that need to be excreted. However, high-potassium intake is not recommended for CKD patients because their kidneys may not efficiently excrete potassium, leading to hyperkalemia, which can be dangerous.
Choice B reason: A diet high in calcium, potassium, and protein is not suitable for CKD patients. Excessive protein can increase the production of waste products, calcium intake needs to be monitored to avoid complications like calcification, and high potassium levels can lead to hyperkalemia. This combination could potentially worsen the patient's condition.
Choice C reason: A high-carbohydrate, high-protein diet is not ideal for CKD patients. While carbohydrates can provide energy, high protein intake increases the load on the kidneys. The goal is to reduce the production of waste products that the kidneys need to filter, so a high-protein diet is counterproductive.
Choice D reason: A low-protein, low-sodium, low-potassium diet is most appropriate for CKD patients. Reducing protein intake decreases the production of waste products, low sodium helps control blood pressure and fluid balance, and low potassium prevents hyperkalemia. This diet helps manage the symptoms and progression of CKD more effectively.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Monitoring amylase and lipase levels is the best way to determine the effectiveness of treatment in a patient with pancreatitis. These enzymes are produced by the pancreas, and their levels in the blood increase significantly during an episode of pancreatitis. As treatment progresses and the inflammation of the pancreas decreases, the levels of these enzymes should return to normal. Therefore, checking the levels of amylase and lipase is a direct indicator of the patient's response to treatment.
Choice B reason: Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are important for assessing overall blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity, but they are not specific indicators of pancreatitis treatment effectiveness. While these levels can provide information about the patient's general health and hydration status, they do not specifically reflect changes in pancreatic inflammation.
Choice C reason: Red blood cell count is another measure of the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and overall health, but like hematocrit and hemoglobin, it is not specific to pancreatitis. Changes in red blood cell count can occur due to various factors, but they do not provide direct information about the effectiveness of pancreatitis treatment.
Choice D reason: Serum uric acid levels are typically monitored in conditions such as gout or kidney stones, and they are not related to pancreatitis. Monitoring serum uric acid would not provide useful information about the patient's response to pancreatitis treatment.
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