A Medical-Surgical nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which of the following findings will the nurse most likely observe?
Unequal chest expansion.
Atrophied neck and trapezius muscle.
Increased tactile fremitus.
An anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio of 1:1.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Unequal chest expansion is the correct choice. In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the airways are often narrowed and obstructed, leading to difficulty in moving air in and out of the lungs. This can result in unequal chest expansion during breathing, where one side of the chest expands less than the other. This finding is commonly observed in patients with COPD due to the imbalance in lung function between different areas of the lungs.
Choice B rationale:
Atrophied neck and trapezius muscle is not a typical finding in COPD. Muscle atrophy can occur in conditions of prolonged disuse or immobility, but it is not a characteristic manifestation of COPD itself.
Choice C rationale:
Increased tactile fremitus refers to increased vibrations felt on the chest wall during speech. This finding is more commonly associated with conditions that cause lung consolidation, such as pneumonia. In COPD, there is often air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which would not lead to increased tactile fremitus.
Choice D rationale:
An anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio of 1:1 is not a typical finding in a healthy individual, let alone in a patient with COPD. In COPD, there is often an increase in the anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio, giving the chest a barrel-like appearance. This is due to the trapped air and hyperinflation of the lungs, which is characteristic of the disease.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Autonomy:This principle refers to respecting a patient's right to make their own decisions about their healthcare. In this scenario, the nurse's actions did not directly impact the client's autonomy, as the client was not involved in the decision-making process regarding the incident report.
B. Veracity:This principle involves being truthful and transparent. By not completing an incident report, the nurse failed to uphold veracity, as this action concealed the truth about the medication error, potentially affecting future care and trust in the healthcare system.
C. Confidentiality:This principle is about protecting patient information. The nurse's failure to report the incident did not violate confidentiality, as it did not involve disclosing or mishandling the client's private information.
D. Beneficence:This principle focuses on doing good and acting in the best interest of the patient. While the nurse's intention might have been to avoid unnecessary alarm, failing to report the incident could prevent the healthcare team from learning from the mistake and improving patient safety, thus indirectly affecting beneficence.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Visual observation for nonverbal signs of pain can be useful, especially in patients who are unable to communicate verbally. However, this method is not as accurate or reliable as obtaining the client's self-report of pain severity, which directly allows the patient to express their experience.
Choice B rationale:
Vital sign measurement, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, can provide indirect information about a patient's pain level. However, vital signs can be influenced by various factors, including anxiety or other physiological responses. They may not always accurately reflect the intensity of pain and are not as specific as the client's self-report.
Choice C rationale:
The client's self-report of pain severity is the most reliable and accurate method for determining the intensity of pain. Pain is a subjective experience, and the client's self-report is crucial for effective pain management. Pain scales, such as numeric rating scales or visual analog scales, allow clients to describe their pain intensity in a standardized way.
Choice D rationale:
The nature and invasiveness of the surgical procedure are relevant factors to consider in understanding a patient's potential pain experience. However, this information alone is not sufficient for determining the current intensity of the client's pain. Pain levels can vary among individuals undergoing the same procedure due to differences in pain tolerance and perception.
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