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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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A: Leaving the client alone could increase the risk of harm to herself or others and does not address the immediate need for safety and boundaries.
B: Clearly stating that undressing is unacceptable sets immediate boundaries, which is essential in managing acute behavioral situations, ensuring the client's dignity, and maintaining a professional environment.
C: Ignoring the behavior does not provide any guidance or boundaries for the client, which could lead to escalation or reinforce the inappropriate behavior.
D: While changing to less anxiety-provoking questions may be helpful, it does not directly address the behavior at hand, which could lead to further inappropriate actions or misunderstandings about acceptable behavior during the assessment.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Oxygen is less toxic when it is humidified with a hydration source. While humidification can prevent drying of the respiratory mucosa, it does not directly relate to the principle of avoiding high levels of oxygen for extended periods.
B. Avoid administration of oxygen at high levels for extended periods. This is the correct principle. Prolonged exposure to high levels of oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause lung damage. Oxygen therapy should be titrated to maintain adequate oxygenation without exposing the patient to excessive oxygen levels.
C. Increase oxygen rate during sleep to compensate for slower respiratory rate. This statement is incorrect. Oxygen therapy should be adjusted based on the patient's oxygen saturation levels and respiratory status, not solely on sleep patterns.
D. Taking a sedative at bedtime slows respiratory rate, which decreases oxygen needs. While sedatives can depress respiratory rate, leading to decreased oxygen needs, this is not a general principle of oxygen administration. Oxygen therapy should be based on the patient's oxygenation needs rather than medications they are taking.
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