A nurse is planning care for a client who has an endotracheal tube and is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to reduce the client's risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Perform oral care once each day.

Brush the client's teeth with a firm-bristle toothbrush.

Swab the client's mouth with chlorhexidine solution.

Raise the head of the bed 15° for oral care.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Performing oral care once each day is not sufficient to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Ventilated patients are at an increased risk of developing VAP due to the presence of an endotracheal tube that bypasses the body's natural defenses. Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth and respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia. Therefore, performing oral care only once a day is inadequate for maintaining oral hygiene and preventing VAP.

Choice B rationale:

Brushing the client's teeth with a firm-bristle toothbrush can cause trauma to the oral tissues, potentially leading to bleeding and irritation. In critically ill patients with an endotracheal tube, using a firm-bristle toothbrush can exacerbate the risk of infection and VAP. It is essential to use gentle and non-traumatic methods for oral care to maintain the integrity of the oral mucosa.

Choice C rationale:

Swabbing the client's mouth with chlorhexidine solution is the correct choice. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution that effectively reduces the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. Regular use of chlorhexidine mouthwash has been shown to decrease the risk of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients. By reducing the bacterial load in the mouth, the risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia is lowered, making it a crucial intervention for preventing VAP.

Choice D rationale:

Raising the head of the bed by 15° for oral care is an important measure to prevent aspiration during oral care. However, it alone is not sufficient to reduce the risk of VAP. While proper head positioning helps prevent the entry of oral secretions into the lower respiratory tract, it must be combined with effective oral hygiene practices, such as using chlorhexidine solution, to comprehensively reduce the risk of VAP.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Using a 5-mL syringe to flush the catheter is not the best choice. Central venous access devices typically require a larger syringe for flushing to prevent excessive pressure and potential damage to the catheter. A smaller syringe like the 5-mL syringe can create higher pressure, which could cause complications.

Choice B rationale:

Changing the site dressing and stabilization device every 24 hours is not the recommended practice. The dressing and stabilization device should be changed according to facility policy and as needed, but a rigid 24-hour schedule is not necessary and might increase the risk of infection due to unnecessary exposure.

Choice C rationale:

Expecting blood to appear in the catheter lumen after flushing is incorrect. Blood in the catheter lumen after flushing could indicate complications such as a dislodged catheter or other issues requiring immediate attention. The catheter should ideally remain patent without the presence of blood.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct choice. Using chlorhexidine solution to clean the catheter is an evidence-based practice to prevent infection at the insertion site. Chlorhexidine has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and helps reduce the risk of catheter-related infections.

A. Metabolic acidosis. B. Respiratory acidosis. C. Metabolic alkalosis. D. Respiratory alkalosis.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Metabolic acidosis is not the correct acid-base imbalance for the given ABG results. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH (acidic), low bicarbonate (HCO3) levels, and a compensatory decrease in the PaCO2. In the provided ABG results, the pH is elevated, and both the PaCO2 and HCO3 levels are within normal ranges.

Choice B rationale:

Respiratory acidosis is also not the correct acid-base imbalance for the given ABG results. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an elevation in PaCO2 due to inadequate ventilation, leading to an acidic pH. In the provided ABG results, the pH is elevated, and the PaCO2 level is within normal range.

Choice C rationale:

Metabolic alkalosis is the correct acid-base imbalance for the given ABG results. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH, elevated bicarbonate (HCO3) levels, and a compensatory increase in PaCO2. In this case, the pH is higher than the normal range, the HCO3 level is elevated, and the PaCO2 is also slightly increased as the body attempts to compensate.

Choice D rationale:

Respiratory alkalosis is not the correct answer based on the provided ABG results. Respiratory alkalosis is marked by an elevated pH and a decrease in PaCO2 due to excessive ventilation. In the given ABG results, the pH is elevated, but the PaCO2 is not decreased; it's within the normal range.

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A nurse is planning care for a client who has an endotracheal tube and is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to reduce the client's risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia?

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A nurse is caring for a client who has a central venous access device. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

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