The nurse is planning to obtain the pulse oximeter reading of a patient.
What action by the nurse is correct?

Place the probe on a finger that has slow or delayed capillary refill.

Plan to document the pulse oximeter reading as a percent.

Assure the reading is taken in bright light, such as sunlight or fluorescent light.

Avoid removing dark nail polish before the reading is obtained.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Placing the pulse oximeter probe on a finger with slow or delayed capillary refill can lead to inaccurate readings. Slow capillary refill indicates poor peripheral perfusion, which may affect the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings. The nurse should select a finger with normal capillary refill to obtain accurate readings.

Choice B rationale:

Documenting the pulse oximeter reading as a percent is the correct action. Pulse oximeter readings are expressed as percentages, representing the oxygen saturation level in the patient's blood. Normal oxygen saturation levels typically range from 95% to 100%. Documenting the reading in percent allows healthcare providers to monitor the patient's oxygenation status accurately.

Choice C rationale:

Assuring that the reading is taken in bright light, such as sunlight or fluorescent light, is incorrect. Bright light can interfere with the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings by causing the sensor to misinterpret external light as a pulsatile signal. To obtain accurate readings, the pulse oximeter should be used in a well-lit environment but away from direct bright light sources.

Choice D rationale:

Avoiding the removal of dark nail polish before obtaining the reading is incorrect. Dark nail polish can interfere with the pulse oximeter's ability to detect the pulsatile signal from the patient's finger, leading to inaccurate oxygen saturation readings. The nurse should advise the patient to remove dark nail polish or choose another finger without nail polish for the measurement.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

During inhalation, carbon dioxide levels are lower in the alveoli due to the exchange of gases. The higher concentration of carbon dioxide is found in the blood, which diffuses into the alveoli for elimination during exhalation.

Choice B rationale:

Alveoli do not collapse during the inhalation cycle. Surfactant, a substance produced by type II alveolar cells, reduces surface tension and prevents alveoli from collapsing, ensuring efficient gas exchange.

Choice C rationale:

Oxygen moves from the alveoli to the capillaries, while carbon dioxide moves from the capillaries to the alveoli. This exchange of gases occurs due to differences in partial pressures, facilitating the uptake of oxygen by red blood cells and the removal of carbon dioxide from the body.

Choice D rationale:

Exhaling carbon dioxide is a passive process that does not require significant effort. The respiratory muscles relax during exhalation, allowing the lungs to passively expel carbon dioxide from the body as a waste product of metabolism.

A. Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer. B. Auscultate lung sounds bilaterally. C. Ambulate the patient in the hall. D. Position the bed in high fowlers. E. Assess the pulse oximetry.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer. Rationale: Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer helps improve lung function and prevent respiratory complications. It promotes deep breathing and prevents atelectasis, especially in patients experiencing dyspnea.

Choice B rationale:

Auscultate lung sounds bilaterally. Rationale: Auscultating lung sounds helps the nurse assess for abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing or crackles, which can indicate respiratory distress. This assessment is crucial in managing a patient with dyspnea.

Choice C rationale:

Ambulate the patient in the hall. Rationale: Ambulating the patient can worsen dyspnea in some cases, especially if the patient is experiencing severe respiratory distress. Therefore, this intervention may not be appropriate for a patient with dyspnea.

Choice D rationale:

Position the bed in high fowlers. Rationale: Positioning the patient in high fowlers (sitting upright with the head of the bed elevated) helps improve lung expansion and ease breathing. This position maximizes the patient's lung capacity and can provide relief from dyspnea.

Choice E rationale:

Assess the pulse oximetry. Rationale: Monitoring pulse oximetry levels is essential in assessing the patient's oxygen saturation. It helps the nurse determine if the patient is receiving adequate oxygenation, which is crucial in managing dyspnea. A normal oxygen saturation range is typically 95% to 100%.

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The nurse is planning to obtain the pulse oximeter reading of a patient.What action by the nurse is correct?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which statement regarding the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system is correct?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient is experiencing dyspnea.Which intervention(s) would the nurse implement for the patient? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

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The nurse is planning to obtain the pulse oximeter reading of a patient.
What action by the nurse is correct?