A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome is receiving a paralyzing agent. With a Train-of-four (TOF) assessment, the patient’s thumb twitches 3 times. How would the nurse interpret this response?

The patient’s paralysing agent dose in adequate, but needs to be given more often

The patients paralyzing agent dose is too low and needs to be increased

The patient’s paralyzing agent dose in appropriate and does not need to be changed

The patients paralyzing agent dose is too high and needs to be reduced

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. The patient’s paralyzing agent dose is adequate, but needs to be given more often.
In a Train-of-four (TOF) assessment, four stimuli are delivered in rapid succession, and the response is observed. The number of twitches in the patient's thumb indicates the degree of neuromuscular blockade. In this case, if the patient's thumb twitches three times, it suggests that there is still some residual neuromuscular blockade, and the paralyzing agent dose is adequate. However, the frequency of administration may need to be increased to maintain the desired level of paralysis or neuromuscular blockade.

B. The patient’s paralyzing agent dose is too low and needs to be increased:
This would be indicated if there were fewer than three twitches in response to the TOF assessment.

C. The patient’s paralyzing agent dose is appropriate and does not need to be changed:
The response of three twitches suggests that there is still some neuromuscular blockade, so the dose or frequency may need adjustment.

D. The patient’s paralyzing agent dose is too high and needs to be reduced:
If there were no twitches or a complete absence of twitches, this might suggest an excessive dose. However, three twitches indicate some degree of neuromuscular blockade.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. “I understand your fears, I was a smoker also.”
While sharing personal experiences can sometimes be relatable, it may not be the most therapeutic response in this situation. The focus should be on the client's feelings and concerns rather than the nurse's personal history.

B. “Don’t worry. The important thing is you have now quit smoking.”
Dismissing the client's fear with a "don't worry" statement may invalidate the client's emotions. It's important to acknowledge and address the client's feelings rather than downplaying them.

C. “Your doctor is a great surgeon. You will be fine.”
While it's positive to express confidence in the medical team, this response does not directly address the client's emotional concerns. The client's fear may extend beyond the surgical aspect, and it's essential to explore and discuss those fears.

D. “It’s okay to feel scared. Let’s talk about what you are afraid of.”
This response is the most therapeutic as it acknowledges the client's emotions, validates the fear, and opens the door for further communication. It invites the client to express her concerns and allows the nurse to provide support and information based on the client's specific fears.

A. Discomfort at the puncture site B. Serosanguineous drainage from the puncture site C. Increased heart rate D. Decreased temperature

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Discomfort at the puncture site:
Some discomfort at the puncture site is normal after a thoracentesis. It may be managed with pain medication as needed.

B. Serosanguineous drainage from the puncture site:
Serosanguineous drainage (a mix of clear and bloody fluid) is a common and expected finding after a thoracentesis. It is part of the normal post-procedure care.

C. Increased heart rate
Increased heart rate can be indicative of a complication following a thoracentesis, such as a pneumothorax or bleeding. This requires immediate attention, and the healthcare provider should be contacted promptly for further evaluation and intervention.

D. Decreased temperature:
A decreased temperature alone is not typically associated with complications following a thoracentesis. It may be related to other factors, but it is not an immediate concern compared to an increased heart rate.

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A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome is receiving a paralyzing agent. With a Train-of-four (TOF) assessment, the patient’s thumb twitches 3 times. How would the nurse interpret this response?

Nursing Test Bank

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