A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a patient who requests to review his medical record. How should the nurse respond?

“I’m sorry, but you do not have the right to read your chart.”

“You will have to sign a written request for access to your record.”

“We’ll give you a copy of your records when we are preparing you for discharge.”

“You will have to explain why you want to review your medical record.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Incorrect. Patients have a legal right to access their medical records under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Denying access is a violation of patient rights and could lead to legal consequences.

Undermines patient autonomy and trust. Patients have a right to know what information is in their medical records and to participate in their own healthcare decisions. Denying access can erode trust in the healthcare system.

Potential for errors and misunderstandings. If patients cannot review their records, they may not be able to identify errors or misunderstandings that could impact their care.

Choice B rationale:

Correct. This response upholds patient rights while ensuring that the request for access is documented and handled appropriately.

Protects patient privacy and confidentiality. The written request process helps to ensure that only the patient or their authorized representative has access to the records.

Provides a mechanism for tracking and auditing access requests. This can help to prevent unauthorized access and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Choice C rationale:

Incorrect. Patients have a right to access their records at any time, not just when they are being discharged.

Delays access to information. Patients may need to review their records to make informed decisions about their care, even if they are not being discharged.

Potential for records to be lost or misplaced. There is a risk that records could be lost or misplaced if they are not provided to the patient until discharge.

Choice D rationale:

Incorrect. Patients do not need to provide a reason for wanting to access their medical records.

Intrusive and unnecessary. Patients may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about having to explain their reasons for wanting to access their records.

Potential for discrimination. Patients may be less likely to request access to their records if they feel that they will be judged or questioned about their reasons for doing so.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Rationale for Choice A:

Ineffective airway clearance is the most immediate and life-threatening concern in the postoperative period following a radical neck dissection. This procedure involves extensive removal of lymph nodes and tissues in the neck, which can significantly disrupt normal respiratory function and airway patency. Here's a detailed explanation of the factors contributing to this risk:

Altered Respiratory Anatomy: The surgical resection of tissues and lymph nodes can directly impact the structure and function of the airway. This includes potential narrowing of the trachea, vocal cord dysfunction, and impaired laryngeal movement, all of which can hinder effective airflow.

Thick, Copious Secretions: The surgical trauma and manipulation of tissues often lead to increased production of thick, tenacious secretions in the respiratory tract. These secretions can obstruct the airway, making it difficult for the patient to clear them effectively.

Impaired Cough Reflex: The surgical dissection may disrupt the nerves involved in the cough reflex, which is a crucial mechanism for clearing secretions from the airway. This further impedes the patient's ability to maintain a patent airway.

Risk of Aspiration: Accumulation of secretions in the airway elevates the risk of aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications.

Potential for Edema: Postoperative swelling in the neck tissues can further compress the airway, exacerbating the risk of obstruction.

Nursing Interventions for Ineffective Airway Clearance:

Prompt recognition and management of ineffective airway clearance are essential to prevent respiratory compromise and ensure patient safety. Here are key nursing interventions that should be prioritized:

Frequent Assessment: Continuously monitor respiratory rate, effort, breath sounds, oxygen saturation, and level of consciousness for any signs of respiratory distress.

Positioning: Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees to promote lung expansion and facilitate drainage of secretions. Suctioning: Regularly suction the airway to remove secretions, using aseptic technique and proper suctioning pressure.

Deep Breathing and Coughing Exercises: Encourage and assist the patient with deep breathing and coughing exercises to mobilize secretions.

Humidification: Provide humidified oxygen or use a nebulizer to help thin secretions and make them easier to expectorate.

Chest Physiotherapy: Perform chest physiotherapy techniques, such as percussion and vibration, to loosen secretions and promote their removal.

Monitoring Fluid Balance: Maintain adequate hydration to help thin secretions, while closely monitoring fluid intake and output to prevent fluid overload.

Addressing Other Choices:

While the other choices may also be relevant concerns in the postoperative period, they do not pose the same immediate threat to life as ineffective airway clearance.

A. To suppress respiratory secretions B. To block the effects of opioids on the central nervous system C. To treat nausea D. To treat urinary retention

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Naloxone does not have any direct effect on respiratory secretions. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and reversing the effects of opioids, such as respiratory depression.

While opioids can cause a decrease in respiratory secretions, this is not the primary reason for administering naloxone.

It is important to note that naloxone can actually worsen respiratory secretions in some patients, particularly those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory conditions.

Choice B rationale:

Naloxone is a medication that is specifically designed to block the effects of opioids on the central nervous system (CNS).

It is a competitive antagonist, which means that it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and prevents opioids from binding to those receptors.

This can reverse the effects of opioids, such as respiratory depression, sedation, and hypotension.

Naloxone is often used to treat opioid overdose, but it can also be used to prevent opioid-induced respiratory depression in patients who are receiving opioids for pain relief.

Choice C rationale:

Naloxone is not effective in treating nausea.

In fact, it can actually worsen nausea in some patients.

This is because naloxone can block the effects of opioids in the brain, and opioids can sometimes have a nausea-relieving effect.

Choice D rationale:

Naloxone is not effective in treating urinary retention.

Urinary retention is a common side effect of opioids, but it is not caused by the effects of opioids on the CNS. Urinary retention is typically caused by the effects of opioids on the bladder muscles.

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A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a patient who requests to review his medical record. How should the nurse respond?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a patient after a radical neck dissection.What should be the nurse’s priority in the immediate postoperative period?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative and receiving fentanyl via patient-controlled analgesia. The patient has a prescription for naloxone. What is the purpose of naloxone?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Choice B rationale:

Choice C rationale:

Choice D rationale:

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