A nurse is attending a social event when another guest coughs weakly once, grasps his throat with his hands, and cannot talk. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Slap the client on the back several times.
Assist the client to the floor and begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Observe the client before taking further action.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
The Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is the recommended first aid technique for a conscious person who is choking. This maneuver helps to expel the object blocking the airway by using the air remaining in the lungs to force it out. The nurse should stand behind the person, place their arms around the person’s waist, make a fist with one hand, and place it just above the navel. The other hand should grasp the fist, and quick, upward thrusts should be performed until the object is expelled.
Choice B reason:
Slapping the client on the back several times is not the recommended first action for a conscious adult who is choking. While back blows can be effective, they are typically used in combination with abdominal thrusts and are more commonly recommended for infants. For adults, the Heimlich maneuver is preferred as the initial response.
Choice C reason:
Assisting the client to the floor and beginning mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is not appropriate for a conscious person who is choking. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or rescue breathing, is used when a person is not breathing and is unresponsive. In this scenario, the client is conscious but unable to speak, indicating a blocked airway that requires the Heimlich maneuver.
Choice D reason:
Observing the client before taking further action is not advisable in a choking emergency. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent the situation from worsening. If the person is unable to speak, cough, or breathe, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed without delay.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Airborne
Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through tiny airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air and be inhaled by others. Examples of diseases requiring airborne precautions include tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. These diseases can spread over long distances and through ventilation systems. Pertussis, however, is not transmitted via airborne particles but rather through larger respiratory droplets.
Choice B reason: Contact
Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient’s environment. This includes infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). While contact precautions are important for preventing the spread of certain infections, pertussis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, making droplet precautions more appropriate.
Choice C reason: Protective
Protective precautions, also known as reverse isolation, are used to protect immunocompromised patients from potential infections. This type of precaution is not intended to prevent the spread of infections from the patient to others but rather to protect the patient from external sources of infection. Examples include patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with severe immunodeficiency. Pertussis does not require protective precautions as it is not about protecting the patient from others.
Choice D reason: Droplet
Droplet precautions are the appropriate transmission-based precautions for pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can travel short distances and can infect others who are in close proximity. Droplet precautions include wearing a mask when within 3 feet of the patient, placing the patient in a private room if possible, and ensuring that the patient wears a mask if they need to be transported.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Induce Sedation
Pancuronium is not used to induce sedation. It is a neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) that causes paralysis of skeletal muscles. Sedation is typically achieved using medications such as benzodiazepines or propofol, which act on the central nervous system to produce a calming effect.
Choice B reason: Suppress Respiratory Effort
Pancuronium is used to suppress respiratory effort in patients with ARDS who require mechanical ventilation. By causing muscle paralysis, pancuronium helps to synchronize the patient’s breathing with the ventilator, reducing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury and improving oxygenation. This is particularly important in severe cases of ARDS where patient-ventilator dyssynchrony can be detrimental.
Choice C reason: Decrease Chest Wall Compliance
Decreasing chest wall compliance is not a purpose of pancuronium. In fact, pancuronium does not directly affect chest wall compliance. Instead, it works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles, leading to muscle relaxation and paralysis.
Choice D reason: Decrease Respiratory Secretions
Pancuronium does not decrease respiratory secretions. Medications such as anticholinergics (e.g., atropine) are used to reduce secretions. Pancuronium’s primary role is to facilitate mechanical ventilation by ensuring complete muscle relaxation.
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