A nurse is caring for an infant who has coarctation of the aorta.
Which of the following should the nurse identify as an expected finding?
Frequent nosebleeds.
Upper extremity hypotension.
Weak femoral pulses.
Increased intracranial pressure.
The Correct Answer is C
This is because coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition where the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts. This causes a decrease in blood flow to the lower body, resulting in weak or absent pulses in the femoral arteries.
The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
Choice A is not a typical sign of coarctation of the aorta.
Nosebleeds can be caused by many factors, such as dry air, allergies, trauma, or bleeding disorders.
Choice B is also not a common finding in coarctation of the aorta. In fact, patients with this condition may have high blood pressure in the upper extremities due to the increased resistance of the narrowed aorta.
Choice D is not directly related to coarctation of the aorta.
Increased intracranial pressure can be caused by various conditions that affect the brain, such as head injury, stroke, infection, or tumor.
Normal ranges for blood pressure and pulse vary depending on age, sex, and health status. However, some general guidelines are:
- Blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg for adults; less than 95/65 mmHg for infants.
- Pulse: 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults; 100 to 160 beats per minute for infants.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is **c. Applies suction for 15 seconds**.
**Choice A rationale:** Inserting the catheter without applying suction is a proper step in the suctioning process. This action does not require intervention by the staff nurse.
**Choice B rationale:** Waiting for 2 minutes between suctions is a standard practice to prevent damage to the trachea and to allow the client to recover from the suctioning process. This action is also appropriate and does not require intervention.
**Choice C rationale:** Applying suction for 15 seconds is too long and can cause damage to the trachea. The recommended duration for suctioning is typically 5-10 seconds. This action requires intervention by the staff nurse to correct the procedure and ensure the client's safety.
**Choice D rationale:** Encouraging the client to cough during suctioning is a proper step to help clear the trachea and promote effective suctioning. This action does not require intervention by the staff nurse.
In summary, the newly licensed nurse's action of applying suction for 15 seconds is the one that requires intervention by the staff nurse to correct the procedure and ensure the client's safety.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A vertebroplasty is a procedure that injects cement into a fractured vertebra to help relieve pain and stabilize the spine. The recovery time for this procedure is usually short and the complications are rare.
Therefore, this client is most likely to be stable and ready for early discharge.
Choice A is wrong because a client who is receiving heparin for deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) needs close monitoring of their blood levels and clotting factors. Heparin is a blood thinner that prevents the clots from getting bigger or breaking loose and traveling to the lungs, which can cause a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism (PE).
This client is not a good candidate for early discharge.
Choice C is wrong because a client who has cancer and a sealed implant for radiation therapy needs to be isolated in a special room to prevent exposure of others to radiation. A sealed implant is a smallholder that contains a radioactive source that is placed inside or near the tumor to deliver high doses of radiation. This type of internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, can last from several minutes to several days, depending on the type and dose of the radioactive source.
This client is not a good candidate for early discharge.
Choice D is wrong because a client who has COPD and a respiratory rate of 44/min has signs of respiratory distress and possible hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood).
COP
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