The practical nurse (PN) should collect the following information during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility:
Health care proxy documentation
Name of funeral home to contact
Client's wishes regarding organ donation
Contact information for the client's next of kin
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer and explanation is:
a) Health care proxy documentation.
This is the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Health care proxy documentation is a legal document that appoints a person to make health care decisions for the client when they are unable to do so themselves. It is important to have this information in case the client's condition deteriorates and they need end-of-life care.
b) Name of funeral home to contact.
This is not the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Name of funeral home to contact is a personal preference that may or may not be relevant for the client at this point. It is not a priority for the admission assessment, and it may be insensitive or inappropriate to ask the client about it.
c) Client's wishes regarding organ donation.
This is not the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Client's wishes regarding organ donation are a personal choice that may or may not be applicable for the client depending on their diagnosis, prognosis, and eligibility. It is not a priority for the admission assessment, and it may be offensive or upsetting to ask the client about it.
d) Contact information for the client's next of kin.
This is not the information that the PN should collect during the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care facility. Contact information for the client's next of kin is a general demographic data that may or may not be relevant for the client's care. It is not a priority for the admission assessment, and it may be already available in the client's records.
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Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Supplemental oxygen is given to the patient to prevent hypoxia and tissue damage due to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Hypoxia occurs when the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level. It can cause serious damage to your heart, brain, and other organs. Hence, supplemental oxygen is administered to ensure that the patient’s tissues receive adequate oxygen.
Choice B rationale:
While supplemental oxygen can indirectly help lower blood pressure by improving oxygen supply and reducing strain on the heart, it is not primarily used for this purpose. Enalapril, which the patient is already taking, is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is commonly used to lower blood pressure and reduce the workload of the heart.
Choice C rationale:
Supplemental oxygen does increase the oxygen saturation and improve respiratory function. However, this is a more general rationale for providing supplemental oxygen and not specific to this patient’s condition of pneumonia.
Choice D rationale:
Supplemental oxygen does not directly dilate the bronchioles or decrease inflammation in the lungs. Medications such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids are typically used for these purposes. In this case, supplemental oxygen is being used to prevent hypoxia and tissue damage due to pneumonia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
c) Assessing pain management response.
This is the correct answer because it is the most important and relevant action that the PN should do for a postoperative patient with a PCA machine. A PCA machine is a computerized device that allows the patient to self-administer a preset dose of pain medication, usually an opioid, by pressing a buton. The PCA machine is atached to an intravenous (IV) line that delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream. The PCA machine can provide effective and individualized pain relief for postoperative patients, as well as increase their sense of control and satisfaction¹².
The PN should assess the pain management response of the postoperative patient with a PCA machine by monitoring their pain level, vital signs, oxygen saturation, sedation level, and side effects. The PN should use a valid and reliable pain scale, such as the numeric rating scale (NRS) or the visual analog scale (VAS), to measure the patient's pain intensity and relief. The PN should also check the settings and functioning of the PCA machine, such as the dose, lockout interval, and limit. The PN should document and report the patient's pain management response and any problems or complications with the PCA machine to the health care provider.
a) Coffee ground secretions drainage via nasogastric tube.
This is not the correct answer because it is not a priority action that the PN should do for a postoperative patient with a PCA machine. Coffee ground secretions are dark brown or black granular material that are drained from the stomach via a nasogastric tube. They indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as from an ulcer, gastritis, or esophageal varices. Coffee ground secretions are a serious sign that require immediate atention and treatment³. However, they are not directly related to the use of a PCA machine or postoperative pain management. The PN should monitor the nasogastric tube drainage of the postoperative patient and report any coffee ground secretions to the health care provider, but this is not a priority action for a patient with a PCA machine.
b) Nasogastric tube suctioning.
This is not the correct answer because it is not a priority action that the PN should do for a postoperative patient with a PCA machine. Nasogastric tube suctioning is a procedure that involves applying negative pressure to a nasogastric tube to remove gastric contents from the stomach. It can be used to decompress the stomach, prevent vomiting or aspiration, or treat gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction⁴. However, it is not directly related to the use of a PCA machine or postoperative pain management. The PN should perform nasogastric tube suctioning as ordered by the health care provider and according to protocol, but this is not a priority action for a patient with a PCA machine.
d) Ineffective pain management report.
This is not the correct answer because it is not an action that the PN should do for a postoperative patient with a PCA machine. Ineffective pain management report is an outcome or evaluation that indicates that the patient's pain is not adequately controlled or relieved by the current treatment plan. It may be caused by various factors, such as inadequate dosing, inappropriate medication choice, poor adherence, tolerance, or side effects⁵. However, it is not an action that the PN can implement or perform for a postoperative patient with a PCA machine. The PN should assess and document the patient's pain management response and report any ineffective pain management to the health care provider, but this is not an action for a patient with a PCA machine.
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