A nurse is caring for an adult client.
The nurse should determine the assessment findings are consistent with which of the following disease processes?
For each assessment finding, click to specify if the assessment finding is consistent with laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB), epiglottitis, or foreign body aspiration. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process.
Respiratory rate
Irritability
Drooling
Fever
Immunization status
The Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A,B,C"},"B":{"answers":"A,B,C"},"C":{"answers":"B,C"},"D":{"answers":"A,B"},"E":{"answers":"B"}}
- Respiratory Rate: LTB, Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration. An increased respiratory rate (tachypnea) is common in both conditions due to airway obstruction and respiratory distress. In epiglottitis, inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis severely restrict airflow, leading to tachypnea. Similarly, foreign body aspiration can cause partial obstruction, increasing respiratory effort and rate. Increased respiratory rate is a significant finding in LTB due to airway narrowing and respiratory distress. The body compensates for the partial airway obstruction by increasing ventilation. However, tachypnea in LTB is usually not as severe as in epiglottitis or foreign body aspiration, where airway obstruction is more critical.
- Irritability: LTB, Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration. Irritability is a common symptom in all three conditions due to hypoxia and respiratory distress. In LTB (croup), inflammation leads to airway narrowing, causing discomfort and restlessness. In epiglottitis, the rapid onset of airway swelling results in agitation. Foreign body aspiration also causes significant distress due to the sudden obstruction of airflow.
- Drooling: Epiglottitis, Foreign Body Aspiration. Drooling is characteristic of epiglottitis because the client cannot swallow due to severe throat pain and airway swelling. It is also seen in foreign body aspiration when an object is lodged in the airway or esophagus, making swallowing difficult. Drooling is not a typical feature of LTB, where coughing and stridor are more prominent.
- Fever: LTB, Epiglottitis. Both LTB and epiglottitis are caused by infections and present with fever. In LTB, viral infections like parainfluenza commonly cause a low-to-moderate fever. Epiglottitis, often caused by bacterial infections such as Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), typically presents with a high fever, as seen in this case. Foreign body aspiration is not associated with fever unless secondary infection develops.
- Immunization Status: Epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is strongly linked to Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), a bacteria preventable by routine childhood vaccination. In unvaccinated individuals or those with incomplete immunization, epiglottitis is more likely to occur. Immunization status does not directly correlate with LTB (which is viral) or foreign body aspiration.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Reports routinely list the identification number of any equipment involved: This practice is appropriate and helps in tracking any equipment-related issues. Including identification numbers can assist in identifying problems with specific devices or tools and does not represent a problem that needs to be reported.
B. Reports routinely include the client's hospital number: Including the client's hospital number in reports is standard practice for maintaining accurate records and ensuring proper tracking of incidents related to specific patients. This does not indicate a problem and is essential for accountability in healthcare reporting.
C. Reports routinely are completed within 24 hr after the incident: Timeliness in completing incident reports is important, and completing them within 24 hours is a best practice. This indicates a proactive approach to addressing incidents and does not represent a problem that needs to be reported to the risk manager.
D. Reports routinely omit the names of witnesses to the occurrence: This is a significant issue that should be reported to the risk manager. Witnesses can provide valuable information about the circumstances surrounding an incident, and their names should be documented for follow-up and investigation. Omitting this information could hinder the thoroughness of the incident review and the organization’s ability to address and prevent future occurrences effectively.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Hypotension: While hypotension can occur in clients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), it is not a primary manifestation of the condition. Hypotension may arise due to other factors, such as sepsis or significant fluid loss, but is not universally present in ARF. Therefore, it is less likely to be a key finding in this context.
B. Severe dyspnea: This is a hallmark manifestation of ARF. Clients typically experience significant difficulty in breathing due to inadequate oxygenation or ventilation, leading to an urgent need for medical intervention. Monitoring for severe dyspnea is critical as it directly indicates the severity of respiratory distress.
C. Headache: Headaches can be a manifestation of acute respiratory failure, particularly due to hypoxia or hypercapnia (elevated carbon dioxide levels) affecting cerebral circulation. This symptom may arise as the body struggles to compensate for decreased oxygen levels, making it important to monitor in clients with ARF.
D. Decreased level of consciousness: This is a significant concern in ARF and can indicate worsening hypoxia or hypercapnia. Alterations in consciousness may range from confusion to unresponsiveness and require immediate evaluation and intervention, making it a critical manifestation to monitor.
E. Nausea: Although some clients may experience nausea as a secondary symptom due to anxiety or as a response to hypoxia, it is not a primary or definitive manifestation of acute respiratory failure. Therefore, while it may occur in some cases, it is not one of the key findings to consistently monitor in clients with ARF.
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