A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned to the unit following a bronchoscopy and requests coffee.
The nurse assesses that it is safe for the patient to resume oral liquids when which of the following behaviors is demonstrated?
The patient can drink water through a straw without choking.
The patient has intact cough and swallowing reflexes.
The patient has clear breath sounds upon auscultation.
The patient reports that they are not experiencing a sore throat.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While being able to drink water through a straw without choking is a positive sign, it is not the primary indicator that a patient can safely resume oral liquids after a bronchoscopy. The primary indicator is the return of the patient’s cough and swallowing reflexes.
Choice B rationale
The patient has intact cough and swallowing reflexes is the primary indicator that a patient can safely resume oral liquids after a bronchoscopy. These reflexes are essential for preventing aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia.
Choice C rationale
While clear breath sounds upon auscultation are a positive sign, they are not the primary indicator that a patient can safely resume oral liquids after a bronchoscopy. The primary indicator is the return of the patient’s cough and swallowing reflexes.
Choice D rationale
The absence of a sore throat is not the primary indicator that a patient can safely resume oral liquids after a bronchoscopy. The primary indicator is the return of the patient’s cough and swallowing reflexes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Cherry jello is not a part of a full-liquid diet. While it is soft and easy to swallow, it does not provide the necessary nutrients that a patient recovering from surgery for laryngeal cancer would need.
Choice B rationale
Clear broth soup is part of a clear liquid diet, not a full liquid diet. A full liquid diet includes foods that are liquid at room temperature or melt at body temperature.
Choice C rationale
Chicken noodle soup is not suitable for a full-liquid diet. The noodles and chicken pieces could pose a swallowing risk for a patient recovering from surgery for laryngeal cancer.
Choice D rationale
Cream of potato soup is a suitable choice for a full-liquid diet. It is smooth and easy to swallow, and it provides necessary nutrients.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Auscultating the lungs for the presence of breath sounds is a priority action following endotracheal intubation. This helps to confirm correct tube placement and assess for complications such as a pneumothorax.
Choice B rationale
While it is important to ensure that the pulse oximetry is greater than 95% to confirm adequate oxygenation, this is not the priority action. The nurse should first confirm correct tube placement by auscultating lung sounds.
Choice C rationale
Assessing the baseline level of consciousness is important, but it is not the priority action following endotracheal intubation.
Choice D rationale
Assessing for the presence of circumoral cyanosis can indicate hypoxia, but it is not the priority action. The nurse should first confirm correct tube placement by auscultating lung sounds.
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