A nurse is assessing an elderly patient receiving palliative care who exhibits Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse identify as indicative of this respiratory pattern?
Rapid respirations that are unusually deep and regular.
An inability to breathe without dyspnea unless sitting upright.
Breathing ranging from very deep to very shallow with periods of apnea.
Shallow breathing alternating with periods of apnea.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Rapid respirations that are unusually deep and regular are not indicative of Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by periods of apnea followed by gradually increasing then decreasing tidal volumes until another period of apnea.
Choice B rationale
An inability to breathe without dyspnea unless sitting upright is not indicative of Cheyne- Stokes respirations. This is more characteristic of orthopnea, which is commonly seen in conditions like heart failure.
Choice C rationale
Breathing ranging from very deep to very shallow with periods of apnea is indicative of Cheyne-Stokes respirations. This pattern of breathing is often seen in conditions such as heart failure, stroke, or brain damage.
Choice D rationale
Shallow breathing alternating with periods of apnea is not indicative of Cheyne-Stokes respirations. In Cheyne-Stokes respirations, the pattern of breathing includes periods of apnea followed by a gradual increase and then decrease in the depth of respirations.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The nurse should prioritize the safety of the patient. If a patient is frequently attempting to remove his feeding tube, it could lead to complications such as infection or injury. Therefore, the nurse might need to consider using a restraint as a last resort. However, it’s important to note that restraints should only be used when all other alternatives have been explored and failed. These alternatives include having staff or a family member sit with the patient, using distraction or de-escalation strategies, offering reassurance, using bed or chair alarms, and administering certain medications.
Choice B rationale
Covering the catheter so the patient cannot see it might not be effective if the patient is aware of its presence and is determined to remove it. This approach does not address the underlying issue and may not prevent the patient from attempting to remove the feeding tube.
Choice C rationale
Providing more stimulation in the patient’s environment might be helpful in some cases, but it may not prevent the patient from attempting to remove the feeding tube. The effectiveness of this approach would depend on the specific circumstances and the patient’s condition.
Choice D rationale
Waiting until tonight to see if the patient continues this behavior could potentially put the patient at risk. If the patient is frequently attempting to remove the feeding tube, immediate action may be necessary to ensure the patient’s safety.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it is important to ensure that restraints are not too tight, the issue in this scenario is not related to the tightness of the restraints.
Choice B rationale
Restraints should be tied with a slipknot to allow for quick release if necessary. A double knot may be difficult to untie quickly in an emergency.
Choice C rationale
Restraint straps should not be tied to the side rails. If the side rails are lowered, the restraints could become too loose.
Choice D rationale
The padding under the wrist restraints should not be removed. The padding helps to prevent skin damage and increase the comfort of the patient.
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