The nurse is caring for a client in the burn unit with burns to the head, neck, chest back left arm and hand following an explosion in their garage. Upon admission, the nurse auscultates wheezes throughout all lung fields and applies oxygen via non-rebreather. One hour later, upon reassessment, the patient is visibly anxious and short of breath, wheezes cannot be heard, lung sounds are decreased, voice is hoarse, and the client is coughing up gray sputum. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation

Place the client in semi-fowler's position and administer albuterol breathing treatment

Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again

Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
The client is showing progressive airway obstruction due to inhalation injury. The absence of wheezes indicates impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate airway management.

B. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position and administer an albuterol breathing treatment
Albuterol may help bronchospasm, but this client's issue is upper airway swelling, not bronchospasm. Intubation is the priority.

C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
The loss of wheezes suggests airway swelling has worsened, not that secretions are the issue. Immediate intervention is needed.

D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
Guaifenesin and incentive spirometry help with secretion clearance, but they are not the priority in this emergent airway situation.

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Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Color of conjunctiva
While assessing for signs of perfusion is important, conjunctival color is not a primary assessment for norepinephrine administration. Perfusion is better assessed through blood pressure, heart rate, capillary refill, and urine output.

B. Deep tendon reflexes
Norepinephrine primarily affects vascular tone and cardiac output. Deep tendon reflexes are not a priority assessment for this medication.

C. IV Insertion site
Norepinephrine is a vasopressor, and extravasation can cause severe tissue necrosis. Frequent monitoring of the IV site is necessary to prevent complications.

D. Blood pressure and heart rate
Norepinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate through vasoconstriction. Continuous monitoring is required to assess for excessive hypertension, tachycardia, or inadequate response to therapy.

E. Hourly urine output
Urine output is an essential indicator of organ perfusion. Since norepinephrine is used to maintain adequate blood pressure and perfusion in septic shock, monitoring urine output helps assess the effectiveness of treatment.

A. Wearing sunglasses while symptomatic B. Applying an eye patch before sleep C. An antihistamine eye drop D. Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Wearing sunglasses while symptomatic

Sunglasses reduce photophobia, but they do not prevent corneal damage from dryness.

B. Applying an eye patch before sleep

Bell's palsy affects cranial nerve VII (facial nerve), leading to incomplete eye closure. This can cause corneal abrasions and dryness. An eye patch at night prevents corneal injury.

C. An antihistamine eye drop

Antihistamine eye drops may dry out the eye further, worsening the risk of corneal injury.

D. Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment

Antibiotics are not necessary unless an infection is present. Lubricating drops or artificial tears are more appropriate.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The client who is experiencing septic shock is started on norepinephrine by intravenous drip via pump. Which frequent assessments should the nurse prioritize while administering this medication? (Select All that Apply)

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

Due to cranial nerve involvement in Bell's palsy, which of the following would prevent a potential complication from the disorder?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient with major bums Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) of 63%. The nurse understands that this patient is at the highest risk for the combination of which types of shock? (Select All that Apply.)

What action priority in preventing anaphylactic shock?

The nurse cannot auscultate bowel sounds during the assessment of a client who has had a repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four days ago. The client is complaining of severe abdominal pain and the abdomen is distended. What action should the nurse take at this time?

Which action is safest for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate to the certified nursing assistant (CNA)?

The nurse is caring for a client with SOB, wheezes, urticaria, itching and angioedema after receiving vancomycin IV. What is the priority nursing intervention after stopping the medication? Administer:

What is included when the nurse performs the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) on a client?

The nurse is caring for a client who has an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The physician explains to the client that the aneurysm is small and that the client will be managed medically. Based on this information, it is most important that the nurse reinforces discharge teaching about: