The nurse assists a patient into which position in preparation for a diagnostic thoracentesis?
Sitting upright with elbows on an over-bed table and feet supported
Sitting in bed with knees slightly flex and feet flexed
Lying flat in the fetal position on the unaffected side
Lying flat on the unaffected side with knees slightly flexed
The Correct Answer is A
A. The optimal position for a thoracentesis is sitting upright with the patient leaning forward slightly, with elbows resting on an over-bed table to help expose the pleural space for access. This position allows gravity to pull the lungs downward and facilitates easier access to the pleural cavity.
B. Sitting in bed with knees slightly flexed and feet flexed is not the best position for thoracentesis. This position might limit the ability to properly expose the thoracic cavity for the procedure.
C. Lying flat in the fetal position on the unaffected side would not allow for effective drainage or access to the pleural space and is not ideal for thoracentesis.
D. Lying flat on the unaffected side with knees slightly flexed is not ideal because it does not provide optimal positioning for the procedure. The upright position is preferred for thoracentesis to facilitate easy access to the pleural space.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched musical sounds produced by the narrowing of airways, commonly heard in conditions like asthma. They occur mainly during exhalation and are indicative of airflow obstruction.
B. Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound that occurs during inspiration, often associated with an upper airway obstruction, such as laryngospasm or a foreign body.
C. Crackles are fine, crackling sounds heard during inspiration, typically due to fluid accumulation in the lungs (e.g., in pneumonia or heart failure).
D. Rhonchi are low-pitched, snoring sounds caused by the obstruction or narrowing of larger airways, often heard in conditions like chronic bronchitis, but they are not high-pitched like wheezes.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal glands that can cause excessive production of catecholamines (such as norepinephrine and epinephrine), leading to a hypertensive crisis. This condition can cause severe hypertension, headaches, palpitations, and sweating.
B. Adrenal insufficiency is typically associated with low blood pressure, not hypertension. It is characterized by symptoms like weakness, fatigue, and hypotension, which are not linked to hypertensive crises.
C. Hypothyroidism is associated with low blood pressure and bradycardia, not an increased risk of hypertensive crisis. It typically leads to symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, and cold intolerance.
D. Diabetes insipidus is a condition that leads to excessive urination and thirst due to a lack of antidiuretic hormone, but it does not directly lead to a hypertensive crisis. It is primarily concerned with electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
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