The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) who is post op thymectomy. The client problem is Ineffective Breathing Pattern, Which action would the nurse include in the plan of care?
Assess lung sounds and respiratory rate at least every 2 hours
Assess and document pain level once every shift
Maintain sequential compression device (SCD's) while in bed
Elevate the head of the bed ten degrees
The Correct Answer is A
A) Assess lung sounds and respiratory rate at least every 2 hours:
In a patient with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) who has undergone thymectomy, monitoring respiratory status is critical. MG is a neuromuscular disorder that can lead to respiratory muscle weakness, which may be exacerbated post-operatively. Assessing lung sounds and respiratory rate at least every 2 hours is crucial to detect early signs of respiratory compromise, including hypoventilation or atelectasis.
B) Assess and document pain level once every shift:
While pain assessment is important, especially after a thymectomy, this action alone does not directly address the immediate issue of ineffective breathing patterns. In patients with MG, respiratory complications are a priority concern. Pain management should be part of the overall plan of care, but it is secondary to monitoring respiratory function in the acute post-operative period. Pain can affect respiratory effort, but it should be managed in the context of more pressing issues like airway and breathing assessment.
C) Maintain sequential compression device (SCD's) while in bed:
While SCDs are important in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients who are immobile, they are not the most appropriate intervention for a client with ineffective breathing patterns. The primary concern in a post-thymectomy patient with MG is respiratory function.
D) Elevate the head of the bed ten degrees:
While elevating the head of the bed can help with comfort and potentially improve ventilation in some patients, it is not the most specific or effective intervention for managing ineffective breathing patterns in a patient with MG. For optimal respiratory function, it is typically more beneficial to elevate the head of the bed to a higher degree (e.g., 30-45 degrees) to enhance lung expansion, rather than just 10 degrees.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Treatment plan will need to be changed to achieve the desired effect:
The decrease in the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels from 50 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL suggests that the cancer is responding to the current treatment, not that the treatment plan needs to be changed. A drop in CEA levels typically indicates a positive response to treatment, such as chemotherapy, in reducing the number or size of cancer cells.
B) Cancer treatment is having the desired effect on killing cancer cells:
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker that is often elevated in individuals with certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. A decrease in CEA levels, as noted in this case (from 50 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL), usually signifies that the treatment is successfully targeting the cancer and reducing the tumor burden. This drop suggests that the chemotherapy is effectively killing cancer cells and reducing the size or activity of the tumor.
C) Client is at greater risk for tumor lysis syndrome:
Tumor lysis syndrome typically occurs when large numbers of cancer cells die rapidly, releasing their intracellular contents into the bloodstream, which can lead to metabolic disturbances like hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and renal failure. It is more common in aggressive hematologic cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, and typically presents with a rapid rise in tumor marker levels, not a decrease.
D) Cancer has increased size and metastatic sites:
An increase in tumor size or the development of metastatic sites would typically result in an increase in CEA levels, not a decrease. Since CEA levels have dropped, it is more likely that the cancer is shrinking or responding to the current treatment. This finding is more indicative of a positive response rather than disease progression.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Maintaining strict bedrest for first 24 hours:
While bedrest is often recommended in the early stages following a myocardial infarction (MI), the priority nursing intervention is to reduce oxygen demand on the heart, which can be achieved through pain management and controlling the workload on the heart, rather than solely relying on bedrest. Bedrest alone may not address the underlying physiological needs of the heart, such as reducing ischemia or controlling pain.
B) Measuring urine output hourly and performing daily weights:
Monitoring urine output and performing daily weights are important in managing fluid balance, especially for those with heart failure or volume overload. However, in the acute phase of an anterior wall myocardial infarction, the priority intervention is addressing the oxygen demand on the heart and providing pain relief, which is more immediate in stabilizing the client and reducing myocardial injury.
C) Keeping the environment quiet to decrease cardiac workload:
While creating a calm and quiet environment helps in reducing stress and decreasing cardiac workload, it is still secondary to actively managing the oxygen demand of the heart. Decreasing the workload of the heart is essential, but this is done more effectively through interventions such as pain management, oxygen therapy, and medications that reduce myocardial oxygen demand (e.g., nitroglycerin, beta-blockers).
D) Reducing oxygen demand and providing pain control:
This is the highest priority intervention for a client who has suffered an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI). Pain from an MI increases the heart's oxygen demand and can exacerbate ischemia. Pain relief, often with morphine, not only reduces pain but also helps in vasodilation, reducing the heart's workload. Additionally, oxygen therapy should be given to ensure adequate oxygenation, and medications like beta-blockers, nitroglycerin, and ACE inhibitors are used to reduce the workload of the heart.
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