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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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the chest tube system, which can compromise the drainage of air and ﬂuid from the pleural space and impair lung expansion.

Choice B Reason: Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that air is being removed from the pleural space.

Choice C Reason: Fluctuations in the ﬂuid level in the water-seal chamber are normal and expected, as they reﬂect changes in intrathoracic pressure during inspiration and expiration.

Choice D Reason: Constant bubbling in the suction-control chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that suction is being applied to the chest tube system.

A. Hemodynamic status B. Spinal cord perfusion C. Renal function D. Intracranial pressure

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This is correct because a pulmonary artery catheter is a device that measures the pressures and ﬂows in the heart and lungs, such as the pulmonary artery pressure, the pulmonary artery wedge pressure, the cardiac output, and the mixed venous oxygen saturation. These parameters reﬂect the hemodynamic status of the client, which is the balance between the cardiac output and the systemic vascular resistance.

Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because a pulmonary artery catheter does not measure spinal cord perfusion, which is the blood ﬂow to the spinal cord. Spinal cord perfusion can be aﬀected by spinal cord injury, spinal anesthesia, or spinal surgery.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because a pulmonary artery catheter does not measure renal function, which is the ability of the kidneys to filter waste products and maintain ﬂuid and electrolyte balance. Renal function can be assessed by urine output, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because a pulmonary artery catheter does not measure intracranial pressure, which is the pressure inside the skull. Intracranial pressure can be increased by brain injury, stroke, tumor, infection, or hydrocephalus.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has a disposable three-chamber chest tube in place. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing a complication?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse should explain to the client that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is receiving a transfer report for a client who has a head injury. The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 for eye opening, 5 for best verbal response, and 5 for best motor response. Which of the following is an appropriate conclusion based on this data?

A nurse is assessing a client who has a score of 6 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. The nurse should expect which of the following outcomes based on this score?

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