After having a pulmonary angiogram, a client is diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (PE). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?
Administer IV opioids as needed for pain.
Teach how to use incentive spirometry.
Monitor for confusion and restlessness.
Observe for signs of increased bleeding.
The Correct Answer is D
A. While pain management is important, it is not the most critical intervention compared to monitoring for bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
B. Teaching the client how to use incentive spirometry is important for improving lung function and preventing complications like atelectasis. However, in the context of a pulmonary embolism (PE), the immediate priority is to monitor for signs of increased bleeding due to the anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy often used to treat PE. This is crucial to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
C. Confusion and restlessness could indicate hypoxia, which is important to monitor in a PE patient. However, the immediate risk of bleeding due to anticoagulation therapy takes precedence.
D. Patients with a pulmonary embolism are typically treated with thrombolytic or anticoagulant therapy to prevent further clot formation and to help dissolve the existing clot. Anticoagulants significantly increase the risk of bleeding, making it crucial to monitor for signs of increased bleeding as a priority in the plan of care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Regular exercise is a vital component of managing type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. However, it is important for the client to obtain medical approval before starting or modifying an exercise regimen. The healthcare provider can assess the client's overall health status and provide specific recommendations regarding the type, duration, and intensity of exercise suitable for the client's individual needs and any potential limitations.
Limiting calories on days unable to exercise is a valid strategy for managing weight and blood glucose levels; however, it is not specifically related to increasing HDL levels. It is important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet overall.
Monitoring blood glucose levels daily is an important self-care practice for individuals with diabetes, but it is not specifically focused on increasing HDL levels. Blood glucose monitoring helps to assess the effectiveness of diabetes management and make necessary adjustments to medication, diet, or exercise.
Monthly appointments with the dietitian can be beneficial for diabetes management, as dietary modifications play a significant role. However, the instruction regarding exercise is more directly related to increasing HDL levels, and the frequency of appointments with the dietitian may vary based on individual needs and goals.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The client's labs indicate that she has a positive result for group B Streptococcus (GBS) and hepatitis surface antigen, and she is also identified as rubella non-immune.
Ampicillin is the recommended antibiotic for intrapartum prophylaxis against GBS infection to reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn. Administering ampicillin intravenously would help protect the newborn from potential GBS-related complications. Transfusion of packed red blood cells is not indicated based on the hemoglobin and hematocrit values provided. The client's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, although lower than the reference range, are not critically low and do not necessarily require a blood transfusion.
Injecting hepatitis B immune globulin is not the appropriate intervention in this case. The client is positive for hepatitis surface antigen, indicating active infection, and requires appropriate medical management, which may include antiviral treatment.
Administering the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy. Vaccination for rubella is typically recommended prior to conception or postpartum to prevent congenital rubella syndrome.
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