The nurse is monitoring a client with Cushing's disease in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after a hypophysectomy. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?
Maintain nasal packing.
Keep head of bed at 30°.
Provide frequent mouth care.
Monitor Intake and output.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Maintaining nasal packing may be important post-hypophysectomy to prevent bleeding or cerebrospinal fluid leaks. However, in the context of Cushing's disease, ensuring oral hygiene is
paramount due to increased risk of infection, especially if the patient is on corticosteroid therapy, which suppresses the immune system.
B. Keeping the head of the bed at 30° helps prevent complications such as cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure. While this is important post-hypophysectomy, it's not specific to Cushing's disease or a priority over oral care.
C. Providing frequent mouth care is crucial in Cushing's disease due to increased cortisol levels leading to immunosuppression and susceptibility to infections. Additionally, glucocorticoid therapy can cause mucosal dryness and ulceration, necessitating meticulous oral hygiene.
D. Monitoring intake and output is essential postoperatively to assess fluid balance and renal function. While important, it's not the priority in this context compared to oral care, especially considering the risk of dehydration due to increased cortisol levels in Cushing's disease.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Digoxin.
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that helps increase the force of myocardial contraction and is generally used to treat heart failure. It does not typically pose a significant risk for cardiogenic shock.
B. Hydrochlorothiazide.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic used to manage fluid retention in heart failure. It can cause electrolyte imbalances but is not directly linked to causing cardiogenic shock.
C. Nadolol.
Nadolol is a beta-blocker, which can reduce the heart rate and the strength of heart contractions. In a client with severe heart failure, excessive beta-blockade can lead to a significant decrease in cardiac output, increasing the risk for cardiogenic shock.
D. Captopril.
Captopril is an ACE inhibitor that helps manage heart failure by reducing afterload and preload.
While it can cause hypotension, it is not typically associated with a direct risk of cardiogenic shock.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Plan to observe the secured IV site after the insertion procedure.
This is a proactive step, but it does not address the immediate need to correct the new nurse’s choice of dressing.
B. Remind the nurse to tape the gauze dressing securely in place.
While securing the dressing is important, it is not the best practice to use a gauze dressing for IV sites as it obscures the view of the insertion site.
C. Confirm that the nurse has gathered the necessary supplies.
Confirming supplies is important, but this does not address the incorrect dressing choice.
D. Instruct the nurse to use a transparent dressing over the site.
This is the correct answer because a transparent dressing allows for continuous visual inspection of the IV site for signs of infection or infiltration, which is crucial for patient safety.
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