An hour after a left thoracotomy, a patient reports incisional pain at a level 7 (based on 0 to 10 scale) and has decreased left-sided breath sounds. The pleural drainage system has 100 mL of bloody drainage. Which action would the nurse take?

Turn and reposition the patient.

Assist the patient with incentive spirometry.

Clamp the chest tube in two places.

Administer prescribed morphine.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Repositioning may ease discomfort but won’t address severe pain (7/10) or reduced breath sounds post-thoracotomy. It risks dislodging tubes and doesn’t improve atelectasis or bleeding, lacking urgency for this acute scenario.

Choice B reason: Incentive spirometry prevents atelectasis, but pain limits participation. Decreased breath sounds suggest collapse, yet without pain control, this intervention is ineffective, delaying relief and lung expansion needed post-surgery.

Choice C reason: Clamping a chest tube risks tension pneumothorax by trapping air or blood, worsening breathing. With 100 mL drainage, it’s functioning; clamping is contraindicated unless ordered, making it dangerous here.

Choice D reason: Morphine reduces severe pain (7/10), enabling deeper breathing to reverse atelectasis. It addresses the primary barrier to recovery post-thoracotomy, improving ventilation and comfort, aligning with acute pain management protocols.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Daily alcohol use may amplify propranolol’s CNS depression, but it’s not a contraindication. It warrants monitoring for sedation, yet hypertension treatment proceeds, as no direct physiologic conflict exists with beta-blockade.

Choice B reason: Asthma contraindicates propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, as it blocks β2 receptors, causing bronchoconstriction. This risks severe airway obstruction in asthmatics, prompting consultation for a cardioselective alternative like atenolol.

Choice C reason: Peptic ulcer disease isn’t affected by propranolol directly; beta-blockers don’t alter gastric acid. It’s not a contraindication, though stress-related hypertension management might consider other factors, not this drug.

Choice D reason: Post-MI, propranolol reduces myocardial demand, aiding recovery. It’s beneficial, not contraindicated, lowering reinfarction risk via β1 blockade, so no consultation is needed unless acute decompensation occurs.

A. Restrict fluids to 2 liters per day. B. Take a daily multivitamin with iron. C. Do not drink any caffeinated beverages. D. Limit exposure to crowds.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Restricting fluids to 2 liters per day increases blood viscosity in sickle cell disease, promoting sickling and vaso-occlusion. Adequate hydration is critical to dilute hemoglobin S, so this instruction contradicts evidence-based management for crisis prevention.

Choice B reason: Iron supplements are contraindicated in sickle cell disease unless anemia is iron-deficient, which is rare. Most patients have normal or high iron from hemolysis, so a multivitamin with iron risks overload and organ damage.

Choice C reason: Avoiding caffeine lacks evidence in sickle cell crisis prevention; it’s not a trigger. Moderate intake doesn’t dehydrate significantly or affect sickling, making this instruction irrelevant to discharge teaching for this condition.

Choice D reason: Limiting crowd exposure reduces infection risk, a common sickle cell crisis trigger. Infections cause inflammation and hypoxia, promoting sickling, so this instruction aligns with preventing complications and maintaining patient stability post-discharge.

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An hour after a left thoracotomy, a patient reports incisional pain at a level 7 (based on 0 to 10 scale) and has decreased left-sided breath sounds. The pleural drainage system has 100 mL of bloody drainage. Which action would the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Propranolol (Inderal) is newly prescribed for a patient diagnosed with hypertension. Which information in the patient’s history would prompt the nurse to consult with the health care provider before giving this drug?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Which instruction will the nurse plan to include in discharge teaching for a patient who was admitted with a sickle cell crisis?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a right-sided chest tube after a right lower lobectomy. Which nursing action could the nurse delegate to the assistive personnel (AP)?

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An hour after a left thoracotomy, a patient reports incisional pain at a level 7 (based on 0 to 10 scale) and has decreased left-sided breath sounds. The pleural drainage system has 100 mL of bloody drainage. Which action would the nurse take?

Based on the patient’s medication list, which of the following medications directly treat hypertension? (Select all that apply)