A patient has a respiratory rate of 36 breaths per minute. How would the nurse describe this respiratory pattern?
Apnea
Tachypnea
Bradypnea
Orthopnea
The Correct Answer is B
A. Apnea refers to a temporary cessation of breathing. If a patient is experiencing apnea, there would be a complete stop in respiratory activity, which does not apply to a respiratory rate of 36 breaths per minute.
B. Tachypnea is defined as an increased respiratory rate, typically greater than 20 breaths per minute in adults. A respiratory rate of 36 breaths per minute falls well within this range, indicating that the patient is experiencing tachypnea.
C. Bradypnea refers to a decreased respiratory rate, usually defined as fewer than 12 breaths per minute. Since the patient’s rate is 36 breaths per minute, this option does not apply.
D. Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat and is not specifically related to the respiratory rate itself. It usually describes a positional dyspnea rather than a numerical measurement of breathing.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, do not have a known significant interaction with neuromuscular blockers. They can generally be used safely in patients receiving neuromuscular blockade.
B. Aminoglycosides (such as gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin) can potentiate the effects of neuromuscular blockers and may lead to increased neuromuscular blockade. This can result in respiratory depression or paralysis, making them contraindicated in patients receiving neuromuscular blockers.
C. Carbapenems (such as meropenem and imipenem) do not typically have a significant interaction with neuromuscular blockers. They can generally be used safely, although careful monitoring is always recommended in patients with neuromuscular blockade.
D. Macrolides (such as azithromycin and erythromycin) do not have a major contraindication with neuromuscular blockers. While they can affect certain neuromuscular transmission processes, they are not typically contraindicated in this context.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While changes in breathing patterns can indicate airway obstruction, snoring alone is not the most specific indicator of a complication after tonsillectomy. It could indicate swelling or an obstructed airway but does not specifically indicate bleeding.
B. Checking the mucous membranes for moisture is important in general nursing care to assess hydration status. However, it is not the most immediate priority in the post-tonsillectomy setting, where the primary concern is to monitor for bleeding.
C. Assessing pain is important for overall patient comfort and to evaluate the effectiveness of pain management strategies. However, pain alone does not directly indicate a complication like bleeding, which is a critical concern in this scenario.
D. Continuous swallowing can be an early sign of bleeding after tonsillectomy, as patients may swallow frequently to clear blood from the throat. If a patient is swallowing more often than normal, it could indicate that they are swallowing blood, which would require immediate intervention.
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