A nurse is planning care for a client who has an endotracheal tube and is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to reduce the client's risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia?
Perform oral care once each day.
Brush the client's teeth with a firm-bristle toothbrush.
Swab the client's mouth with chlorhexidine solution.
Raise the head of the bed 15° for oral care.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Performing oral care once each day is not sufficient to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Ventilated patients are at an increased risk of developing VAP due to the presence of an endotracheal tube that bypasses the body's natural defenses. Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth and respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia. Therefore, performing oral care only once a day is inadequate for maintaining oral hygiene and preventing VAP.
Choice B rationale:
Brushing the client's teeth with a firm-bristle toothbrush can cause trauma to the oral tissues, potentially leading to bleeding and irritation. In critically ill patients with an endotracheal tube, using a firm-bristle toothbrush can exacerbate the risk of infection and VAP. It is essential to use gentle and non-traumatic methods for oral care to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa.
Choice C rationale:
Swabbing the client's mouth with chlorhexidine solution is the correct choice. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution that effectively reduces the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. Regular use of chlorhexidine mouthwash has been shown to decrease the risk of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. By reducing the bacterial load in the mouth, the risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia is lowered, making it a crucial intervention for preventing VAP.
Choice D rationale:
Raising the head of the bed by 15° for oral care is an important measure to prevent aspiration during oral care. However, it alone is not sufficient to reduce the risk of VAP. While proper head positioning helps prevent the entry of oral secretions into the lower respiratory tract, it must be combined with effective oral hygiene practices, such as using chlorhexidine solution, to comprehensively reduce the risk of VAP.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Measuring the amount of aspirate in the NG tube is one way to verify the placement of the tube. Aspirate should be tested for color, pH, and other characteristics to ensure proper positioning.
Choice B rationale:
Flushing the tube with tap water doesn't directly verify tube placement. This action might inadvertently introduce air into the tube, potentially leading to inaccurate assessment results.
Choice C rationale:
Examining the color of aspirated secretions is an essential step in verifying tube placement. Different colors of aspirate can indicate different anatomical locations, helping to ensure the tube is properly positioned.
Choice D rationale:
Measuring the pH of the client's aspirate is another important method to verify NG tube placement. Gastric aspirate tends to be acidic, while respiratory aspirate is usually more alkaline.
Choice E rationale:
Obtaining an x-ray of the client's chest and abdomen is a definitive method for confirming NG tube placement. It provides direct visualization of the tube's location and ensures accuracy.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Peer pressure (Choice A) is an external stressor, as it involves the influence of others on an individual's thoughts or actions. It originates from outside the individual and is not directly related to an internal psychological response.
Choice B rationale:
Death of a family member (Choice B) is an external stressor, as it is an event that occurs externally to the individual. While it can cause significant emotional distress, it is not considered an internal stressor.
Choice C rationale:
Fear of medical test results (Choice C) is the correct answer as an internal stressor. Internal stressors are psychological or emotional factors that originate within the individual and contribute to stress. Fear of medical test results is a personal worry that can lead to anxiety and emotional turmoil.
Choice D rationale:
Job transfer to another city (Choice D) is an external stressor, as it involves a change in the individual's external environment. It is not an internal psychological factor causing stress.
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