A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who was injured in a motor-vehicle crash. The client reports dyspnea and severe pain. The nurse notes that the client's chest moves inward during inspiration and bulges out during expiration. The nurse should identify this finding as which of the following?

Pneumothorax

Atelectasis

Flail chest

Hemothorax

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because a pneumothorax is a condition in which air enters the pleural space and causes the lung to collapse. It does not cause the chest wall to move inward and outward paradoxically.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because atelectasis is a condition in which alveoli collapse and cause reduced gas exchange. It does not cause the chest wall to move inward and outward paradoxically.

Choice C Reason: This is correct because ﬂail chest is a condition in which multiple ribs are fractured and cause a segment of the chest wall to detach from the rest of the thoracic cage. It causes the chest wall to move inward and outward paradoxically, as well as dyspnea and pain.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because a hemothorax is a condition in which blood enters the pleural space and causes the lung to collapse. It does not cause the chest wall to move inward and outward paradoxically.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because preparing for mechanical ventilation is not the priority nursing intervention, as it is an invasive and potentially harmful procedure that should be reserved for clients who have severe respiratory failure and cannot maintain adequate oxygenation with noninvasive methods.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because administering oxygen via face mask is the priority nursing intervention, as it is a noninvasive and eﬀective way to improve oxygenation and reduce hypoxemia in a client who has low PaO2 and SaO2. Oxygen therapy can also decrease the workload of the heart and lungs and prevent further complications.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because preparing to administer a sedative is not the priority nursing intervention, as it may worsen the client's respiratory status and mask the signs and symptoms of hypoxemia. Sedatives should be used with caution and only after oxygenation has been optimized.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because assessing for indications of pulmonary embolism is not the priority nursing intervention, as it is a diagnostic rather than a therapeutic action. Pulmonary embolism is a possible cause of the client's condition, but it does not address the immediate problem of hypoxemia.

A. Warm, ﬂushed skin B. Hyperactive deep tendon reﬂexes C. Bounding peripheral pulses D. Widened QRS complexes

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because warm, ﬂushed skin is not a sign of respiratory acidosis. Warm, ﬂushed skin may indicate fever, infection, inﬂammation, or allergic reaction, but it does not reﬂect the acid-base imbalance in the blood.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because hyperactive deep tendon reﬂexes are not a sign of respiratory acidosis. Hyperactive deep tendon reﬂexes may indicate hypocalcemia, hyperthyroidism, or spinal cord injury, but they do not reﬂect the carbon dioxide level in the blood.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because bounding peripheral pulses are not a sign of respiratory acidosis. Bounding peripheral pulses may indicate increased cardiac output, anxiety, or hyperthyroidism, but they do not reﬂect the pH level in the blood.

Choice D Reason: This choice is correct because widened QRS complexes are a sign of respiratory acidosis. QRS complexes are the segments on an electrocardiogram (ECG) that represent the depolarization of the ventricles. A normal QRS complex duration is 0.06 to 0.10 seconds, and a widened QRS complex duration is more than 0.12 seconds. A widened QRS complex may indicate hyperkalemia, which is a common complication of kidney failure and respiratory acidosis. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the serum potassium level is higher than normal (more than 5 mEq/L). It may cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, or paralysis.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas results for a client in the ICU who has kidney failure and determines the client has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse in an emergency room is caring for a client who sustained partial-thickness burns to both lower legs, chest, face, and both forearms. Which of the following is the priority action the nurse should take?

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer?

A nurse is caring for a client who has quadriplegia from a spinal cord injury and reports having a severe headache. The nurse obtains a blood pressure reading of 210/108 mm Hg and suspects the client is experiencing autonomic dysreﬂexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse is caring for a client 4 hr following evacuation of a subdural hematoma. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas values for a client. The pH is 7.32, PaCO2 is 48 mm Hg and the HCO3 is 23 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize that these findings indicate which of the following acid-base imbalances?