The nurse is performing a respiration assessment on her client. The nurse begins counting the respirations when the second hand on the clock is at 12. When the nurse looks at the chest of the client he is exhaling. The client then continues to inhale and exhale 9 times. When the second hand on the clock is just past 5 the patient begins to inhale. When the second hand reaches the 6 the client has not exhaled. What would the nurse record in the chart as this client’s respiratory rate?
20 bpm
10 bpm
09 bpm
18 bpm
The Correct Answer is B
A. 20 bpm: This is twice the calculated rate, so it's significantly higher than observed.
B. 10 bpm: This matches closely with the calculated rate of approximately 10.23 breaths per minute.
The scenario describes the nurse counting the client's breaths starting from when the second hand of the clock was at 12 and ending just past 5, and the client completed 9 breaths during this time frame.
Counting Period:
From just past 12 to just past 5 on the clock, the time span is approximately 53 seconds.
Number of Breaths:
The client completed 9 breaths within this time frame.
Now, to calculate the respiratory rate:
Respiratory rate = (Number of breaths / Time in minutes)
Respiratory rate = (9 breaths / 0.88 minutes) (53 seconds converted to minutes)
After calculation, the respiratory rate is approximately 10.23 breaths per minute.
C. 09 bpm: This is a lower value than observed and doesn't align with the counted breaths.
D. 18 bpm: This is close to double the observed rate, which doesn't match with the counted breaths within the time frame.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Comatose:
A comatose state is characterized by an unarousable and unresponsive condition. Individuals in a coma do not respond to external stimuli, including shaking or calling their name.
B. Stuporous:
Stupor is a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility. A stuporous patient may require more intense stimulation to achieve a response than someone who is lethargic.
C. Lethargic:
Lethargy is a state of drowsiness or fatigue. Lethargic patients may appear drowsy but can be awakened by gentle stimulation, such as shaking and calling their name.
D. Awake and Alert:
An awake and alert state implies full responsiveness, awareness, and orientation to the environment. The patient in the scenario does not fit this description.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Allow the patient to relax and then recheck the patient’s B/P in 5 minutes:
The initial elevated blood pressure reading could be influenced by the patient's anxiety about visiting the doctor. Allowing the patient to relax and rechecking the blood pressure after a few minutes may provide a more accurate reading.
B. Document the elevated blood pressure and notify the physician immediately:
It is premature to immediately notify the physician based on a single elevated blood pressure reading. Reassessing after the patient has had time to relax is a reasonable approach before taking further action.
C. Begin education related to hypertension (high blood pressure):
While patient education is important, addressing the patient's anxiety and obtaining accurate blood pressure readings should be the initial focus.
D. Schedule the patient for follow-up visits for measurement and monitoring of the patient’s blood pressure:
Scheduling follow-up visits may be necessary based on subsequent assessments, but the immediate concern is to recheck the blood pressure after allowing the patient to relax.
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