The patient is a 65-year-old male admitted to the medical surgical unit after a total cholecystectomy.
He has a past medical history of hypertension, heart failure, type 1 diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and cholangitis. Which physician orders would the nurse anticipate being prescribed after reporting findings? Select all that apply.

Obtain arterial blood gases (ABGs) prior to procedure.

Explain that the patient may be placed in five positions.

Perform the drainage immediately after meals.

Instruct the patient to breathe shallow and fast.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : B,C

Choice B rationale:

Gravity Facilitates Drainage:

Positioning the patient strategically utilizes gravity to encourage the flow of fluids and secretions away from the surgical site. This aids in preventing fluid accumulation and potential infection.

Reduces Pressure on Surgical Site:

Certain positions can minimize pressure on the incision and internal organs, promoting healing and reducing discomfort.

This is particularly important for patients with comorbidities like hypertension and heart failure, as they may have impaired wound healing and be more susceptible to respiratory complications.

Enhances Respiratory Function:

Specific positions can improve lung expansion and ventilation, which is essential for patients with a history of heart failure or respiratory issues.

This helps prevent atelectasis (collapsed lung areas) and pneumonia, which are common postoperative risks.

Common Post-Cholecystectomy Positions:

Semi-Fowler's Position:

The head of the bed is elevated 30-45 degrees, with knees slightly bent.

This position eases breathing, reduces pressure on the incision, and promotes drainage of fluids. Right Side-Lying Position:

The patient lies on their right side with a pillow between their knees.

This position encourages drainage from the liver and gallbladder, aiding in bile flow. Left Side-Lying Position:

The patient lies on their left side with a pillow between their knees.

This position promotes drainage from the stomach and pancreas, assisting in digestion. Supine Position:

The patient lies flat on their back with a pillow under their knees.

This position may be used for short periods, but prolonged supine positioning can increase pressure on the incision and lungs. High Fowler's Position:

The head of the bed is elevated 60-90 degrees, with knees slightly bent.

This position is often used for patients with respiratory issues or difficulty breathing, as it improves lung expansion.

Choice C rationale:

Performing drainage immediately after meals aids in efficient removal of bile and gastric secretions, preventing complications such as:

Bile Reflux:

Delayed drainage can cause bile to back up into the stomach, leading to nausea, vomiting, and discomfort. Infection:

Accumulation of fluids in the surgical site can increase the risk of bacterial growth and infection. Pancreatitis:

In rare cases, delayed drainage can cause inflammation of the pancreas due to obstruction of the pancreatic duct.

I'll address the rationales for choices A and D in the following sections.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

A regular rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) is a common side effect of albuterol, a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways to improve breathing. It's often expected after repeated doses. While it warrants monitoring, it doesn't necessarily require immediate intervention unless it becomes significantly elevated or causes other symptoms.

Choice B rationale:

Increased anxiety can also accompany breathing difficulties and albuterol administration. It's crucial to address anxiety, but it's not the most urgent finding in this scenario. Calming techniques and reassurance can often help manage anxiety, while more severe cases might require additional interventions.

Choice C rationale:

Uncontrollable shaking (tremors) is a more serious side effect of albuterol, indicating excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. It can progress to serious complications like seizures or cardiac events. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent these risks. Actions might include:

Holding the next albuterol dose Notifying the healthcare provider Monitoring vital signs closely

Administering medications to counteract the tremors, such as beta-blockers, if ordered

Choice D rationale:

Throat irritation is a possible side effect of albuterol, but it's generally mild and self-limiting. It doesn't typically warrant immediate intervention in the absence of other concerning symptoms.

A. Determine if the client needs to go to the bathroom. B. Identify the client using 2 client identifiers. C. Perform hand hygiene. D. Brush the client's teeth. E. Don gloves. F. Check the skin around the face. G. Assess respiratory function.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E","F","G"]

Explanation

The correct answer is choiceb. Identify the client using 2 client identifiers,c. Perform hand hygiene,e. Don gloves,f. Check the skin around the face, andg. Assess respiratory function.

Choice A rationale:

Determining if the client needs to go to the bathroom is not directly related to the immediate preparation for oxygen administration. However, it can be considered as part of overall patient comfort and care.

Choice B rationale:

Identifying the client using 2 client identifiers is crucial to ensure the correct patient is receiving the correct treatment, which is a standard safety protocol in healthcare settings.

Choice C rationale:

Performing hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infection and maintain a sterile environment.

Choice D rationale:

Brushing the client’s teeth is not a necessary step before applying a simple face mask for oxygen administration. It is more related to general oral hygiene.

Choice E rationale:

Donning gloves is important to protect both the nurse and the patient from potential contamination and infection.

Choice F rationale:

Checking the skin around the face is important to ensure there are no existing sores or irritations that could be exacerbated by the mask.

Choice G rationale:

Assessing respiratory function is critical to determine the patient’s baseline respiratory status and to monitor the effectiveness of the oxygen therapy.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with emphysema reports difficulty breathing and exhibits audible wheezing.The nurse administers albuterol as prescribed for the third time within the last 12 hours. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to set up the oxygen administration and apply the simple face mask. What should the nurse do before applying the face mask? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E","F","G"]

Explanation

A client has been administered lactulose for several days.Which therapeutic response should the nurse expect for a client with hepatic encephalopathy?

A client has been administered lactulose for several days.Which therapeutic response should the nurse expect for a client with hepatic encephalopathy?

A client presents to the emergency department with muscle aches, headache, fever, and describes a recent loss of taste and smell.The nurse obtains a nasal swab for COVID-19 testing. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

A 51-year-old male client with pneumonia has undergone several days of antibiotic and respiratory treatment. Given the following assessment findings, mark whether they indicate that the treatment was effective or ineffective:

When performing postural drainage on a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach should the nurse use?

An adult patient is admitted with AIDS and oral Candida albicans manifested by several painful mouth ulcers. The nurse delegates oral care to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and discusses how to assist the patient. Which instruction should the nurse give to the UAP?

A client with chronic cirrhosis has esophageal varices. It is most important for the nurse to monitor the client for the onset of which problem?