A nurse is caring for an older adult patient with left-sided heart failure. What assessment findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale

MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections, not bacterial infections like MRSA1234.

Choice B rationale

Patients with MRSA are typically placed on contact precautions, not airborne precautions. This is because MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact with an infected wound or from contaminated hands, not through the air.

Choice C rationale

While MRSA can survive on hands, it typically survives for less than an hour. However, the exact duration can vary depending on the conditions.

Choice D rationale

Bathing patients with water and chlorhexidine gluconate is a common practice to help control MRSA. Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic that kills a wide range of bacteria, including MRSA1234.

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.