A young adult patient with cystic fibrosis (CF) is admitted to the hospital with increased dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Ask the Health Care Provider to order a sweat chloride test.
Coordinate with the dietitian to place the patient on a low-sodium diet.
Coordinate with respiratory therapy to perform chest physiotherapy
Coordinate with the case manager to arrange for a hospice nurse visit.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Sweat chloride tests diagnose CF, not manage dyspnea in a known patient. It’s irrelevant here, as the focus is treating acute respiratory symptoms, not reconfirming an established diagnosis in this scenario.
Choice B reason: Low-sodium diets aren’t indicated for CF; patients need high salt due to losses. Dyspnea stems from mucus obstruction, not fluid, so this intervention contradicts CF physiology and symptom management.
Choice C reason: Chest physiotherapy clears mucus in CF, improving airflow and reducing dyspnea. It targets the primary cause—thick secretions—enhancing lung function, a standard intervention coordinated with respiratory therapy for acute exacerbations.
Choice D reason: Hospice is premature for dyspnea in CF without end-stage decline. It’s inappropriate now, as active interventions like physiotherapy address reversible symptoms, prioritizing treatment over palliative care planning.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Glucose of 122 mg/dL is mildly elevated, suggesting prediabetes, but not urgent in hypertension. It’s a chronic risk factor, less critical than renal function for immediate provider attention.
Choice B reason: Hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is normal (12-18 g/dL), requiring no action in hypertension. It reflects oxygen capacity, not directly tied to blood pressure or acute complications needing reporting.
Choice C reason: Potassium of 4.5 mEq/L is normal (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), not concerning in hypertension. It’s relevant with medications, but this value alone doesn’t warrant immediate communication to the provider.
Choice D reason: Creatinine of 2.8 mg/dL (normal 0.5-1.2 mg/dL) indicates renal impairment, critical in hypertension. It suggests kidney damage from pressure, needing urgent reporting to adjust treatment and prevent progression.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Shortness of breath on stairs suggests cardiopulmonary issues, not intermittent claudication. Claudication is leg pain from arterial insufficiency during activity, not dyspnea, which reflects lung or heart strain.
Choice B reason: Finger pain in cold weather points to Raynaud’s or vasospasm, not claudication. Intermittent claudication affects lower limbs from arterial occlusion, not upper extremities or temperature-related vasomotor changes.
Choice C reason: Leg cramping after walking a block is classic intermittent claudication, from reduced blood flow in peripheral artery disease. Pain with activity, relieved by rest, matches its ischemic pathophysiology perfectly.
Choice D reason: Foot swelling from standing suggests venous stasis or edema, not claudication. Claudication involves arterial insufficiency causing pain with exertion, not fluid accumulation from prolonged static posture.
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