A nurse is providing discharge teaching for the family of a client who had a tracheostomy inserted 2 months ago. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
"Use the clean technique when suctioning."
"Clean the stoma site with full-strength hydrogen peroxide."
"Decrease the humidity level in your home."
"Remove soiled tracheostomy ties before replacing them."
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. "Use the clean technique when suctioning.": For a well-established tracheostomy (typically after 1 month), clean technique is acceptable for suctioning at home. This reduces infection risk while allowing practical self-care or family-provided care in a non-sterile environment.
B. "Clean the stoma site with full-strength hydrogen peroxide.": Full-strength hydrogen peroxide is too harsh and can damage healthy tissue. A diluted solution or normal saline is safer for routine stoma care to avoid irritation and promote healing.
C. "Decrease the humidity level in your home.": Adequate humidity is essential for clients with tracheostomies to keep secretions thin and prevent airway blockage. Low humidity can dry the airway and increase the risk of mucus plugs.
D. "Remove soiled tracheostomy ties before replacing them.": Tracheostomy ties should be replaced one side at a time to prevent accidental decannulation. Removing both sides at once leaves the tracheostomy tube unsecured and poses a serious safety risk.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E","F"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Upper arm and lower leg findings: The presence of ecchymoses indicates impaired coagulation, which is common in chronic liver disease due to decreased clotting factor production. In the context of active bleeding (hematemesis), this is significant and needs immediate evaluation.
B. Skin temperature: Cool and dry skin, while concerning, is a nonspecific symptom. It may support a diagnosis of hypovolemia or shock, but on its own, it does not require the same urgent intervention as abnormal vital signs or lab results.
C. Blood pressure: A BP of 92/56 mm Hg indicates hypotension and suggests the client may be experiencing hypovolemic shock from gastrointestinal bleeding. This finding requires immediate intervention to prevent end-organ damage.
D. Bowel sounds: Bowel sounds auscultated in all four quadrants suggest that gastrointestinal motility is present. This is not a priority finding and does not indicate an urgent complication.
E. Hgb: A hemoglobin level of 7 g/dL is critically low and consistent with significant blood loss. This value requires immediate follow-up, likely including blood transfusion and identification of the bleeding source.
F. Heart rate: A heart rate of 118/min reflects a compensatory response to hypotension or blood loss. Tachycardia in this setting is a key sign of circulatory compromise and must be addressed immediately.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Decreased WBC count: Bacterial meningitis causes an inflammatory response, leading to an increased WBC count in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), not a decrease. Elevated WBCs indicate the body is fighting infection in the central nervous system.
B. Increased glucose: CSF glucose levels are typically decreased because bacteria consume glucose and impair its transport across the blood-brain barrier. The presence of leukocytes and pathogens in the CSF also contributes to glucose depletion. Elevated glucose is not characteristic of this condition.
C. Clear cerebrospinal fluid: CSF in bacterial meningitis is usually cloudy or turbid due to the accumulation of white blood cells, protein, and bacteria. The change in appearance reflects the severity of the infection and is one of the classic diagnostic signs. Clear CSF would be more consistent with normal or viral findings.
D. Increased protein: A hallmark of bacterial meningitis is elevated CSF protein levels due to increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier and the presence of bacterial and inflammatory proteins. This is an expected finding.
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