The nurse is planning care for a client with a direct (sliding) hiatal hernia. Nursing actions should be planned to meet which goal?
Prevent esophageal reflux.
Maintain intact oral mucosa.
Increase intestinal peristalsis.
Promote effective swallowing.
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale for Choice A:
Direct (sliding) hiatal hernias: These are the most common type of hiatal hernia. They occur when the upper part of the stomach slides upward through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This displacement disrupts the normal function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a ring of muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The LES is responsible for preventing stomach contents from refluxing back into the esophagus.
Esophageal reflux: When the LES is weakened or impaired, stomach acid, pepsin, and bile can flow back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation known as heartburn, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, and irritation of the esophageal lining.
Prevention of esophageal reflux: Nursing actions aimed at preventing esophageal reflux are crucial in the management of hiatal hernias. These actions include:
Elevate the head of the bed: This helps to keep stomach contents below the level of the esophagus, reducing the risk of reflux. Avoid eating large meals: Large meals put more pressure on the stomach, which can increase the likelihood of reflux.
Avoid lying down after eating: Lying down can allow stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus more easily. Avoid foods that trigger reflux: Common triggers include fatty foods, spicy foods, acidic foods, caffeine, and alcohol.
Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight can increase abdominal pressure and contribute to reflux.
Consider medications: If lifestyle changes are not enough to control reflux, medications such as antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors may be prescribed.
Rationale for Choice B:
Maintaining intact oral mucosa: This is not a primary goal in the care of a client with a hiatal hernia. While oral hygiene is important for overall health, it does not directly address the issue of esophageal reflux.
Rationale for Choice C:
Increasing intestinal peristalsis: This is not a relevant goal for a hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernias primarily affect the upper digestive tract, not the intestines.
Rationale for Choice D:
Promoting effective swallowing: This is not the most important goal in the care of a client with a hiatal hernia. While swallowing difficulties can occur in some cases, they are not the primary concern. The priority is to prevent esophageal reflux and its associated complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
While ABGs can provide valuable information about a patient's respiratory status, they are not routinely required prior to postural drainage in patients with COPD.
ABGs might be considered if the patient is experiencing acute respiratory distress or if there are concerns about their oxygenation or ventilation status.
However, in the absence of such concerns, obtaining ABGs would not be necessary and could potentially cause discomfort or anxiety for the patient.
Choice C rationale:
Performing postural drainage immediately after meals is not recommended for patients with COPD.
This is because eating can cause a feeling of fullness in the stomach, which can make it difficult for the patient to breathe deeply and effectively during the procedure.
Additionally, there is a risk of aspiration if the patient were to vomit during or after postural drainage.
It is generally recommended to perform postural drainage at least 1-2 hours after meals to reduce these risks.
Choice D rationale:
Instructing the patient to breathe shallow and fast is not appropriate for postural drainage.
The goal of postural drainage is to help the patient mobilize and expectorate secretions from the lungs.
This is best achieved by encouraging the patient to breathe deeply and slowly, which helps to open up the airways and promote mucus clearance.
Shallow, rapid breathing can actually make it more difficult to clear secretions and can lead to increased shortness of breath.
Choice B rationale:
Explaining that the patient may be placed in five positions is the most appropriate approach for postural drainage in a patient with COPD.
This is because different positions help to drain different areas of the lungs. The five positions typically used for postural drainage are:
Head down position (to drain the lower lobes)
Prone position (to drain the posterior segments of the lungs)
Right lateral position (to drain the right middle lobe and right lower lobe) Left lateral position (to drain the left lower lobe)
Sitting upright position (to drain the upper lobes)
By placing the patient in these different positions, the nurse can help to ensure that all areas of the lungs are drained effectively.
Correct Answer is ["38"]
Explanation
Here are the steps to calculate the IV flow rate:
Step 1: Calculate the volume to be infused per minute.
75 mL ÷ 30 minutes = 2.5 mL/minute
Step 2: Multiply the volume per minute by the drop factor to determine the drops per minute.
2.5 mL/minute × 15 gtt/mL = 37.5 gtt/minute
Step 3: Round the answer to the nearest whole number. The nurse should regulate the IV to deliver 38 gtt/minute.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
