A nurse is caring for a patient who is 9 days postoperative following a total laryngectomy. The nurse removes the patient’s NG tube and initiates oral feedings.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
“You should have no trouble swallowing fluids.”.
“It is no longer possible for you to choke on or aspirate food.”.
“I will add a thickener to your liquids to prevent aspiration.”.
“Tuck your chin when you swallow so you won’t choke.”.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
After a total laryngectomy, patients may have difficulty swallowing fluids due to changes in the anatomy of the throat.
Choice B rationale
It is not accurate to say that it is no longer possible for the patient to choke on or aspirate food after a total laryngectomy. While the risk of aspiration is reduced because the airway and digestive tract are separated, the patient can still experience choking on food if it is not properly swallowed.
Choice C rationale
Adding a thickener to liquids can help prevent aspiration, but this is typically more relevant for patients with dysphagia or other swallowing disorders, not specifically for patients post- laryngectomy.
Choice D rationale
Tucking the chin when swallowing, also known as the chin-tuck maneuver, can help prevent aspiration by narrowing the entrance to the airway. This can be a useful technique for patients after a laryngectomy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Finasteride, a medication used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, can cause several side effects, including a decrease in libido or sexual desire.
Choice B rationale
There’s no specific interaction between finasteride and grapefruit juice. Therefore, patients don’t need to avoid grapefruit juice when taking this medication.
Choice C rationale
Finasteride can actually cause a decrease in PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels. If a patient is having a PSA test, they should tell their doctor they are taking finasteride because it can affect the results.
Choice D rationale
It may take up to six months or more to see the full effects of finasteride. Therefore, patients should not expect to see a response within one week.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as strep throat, is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. This condition is spread through respiratory droplets, not through the air, and does not require airborne precautions.
Choice B rationale
Scabies is caused by a mite infestation, not an airborne pathogen. It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact and does not require airborne precautions.
Choice C rationale
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing, and the measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. Therefore, a patient with measles requires airborne precautions.
Choice D rationale
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It spreads through close contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is typically managed with droplet precautions, not airborne precautions.
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