The nurse is caring for a client in the burn unit with burns to the head, neck, chest back left arm and hand following an explosion in their garage. Upon admission, the nurse auscultates wheezes throughout all lung fields and applies oxygen via non-rebreather. One hour later, upon reassessment, the patient is visibly anxious and short of breath, wheezes cannot be heard, lung sounds are decreased, voice is hoarse, and the client is coughing up gray sputum. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation

Place the client in semi-fowler's position and administer albuterol breathing treatment

Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again

Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
The client is showing progressive airway obstruction due to inhalation injury. The absence of wheezes indicates impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate airway management.

B. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position and administer an albuterol breathing treatment
Albuterol may help bronchospasm, but this client's issue is upper airway swelling, not bronchospasm. Intubation is the priority.

C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
The loss of wheezes suggests airway swelling has worsened, not that secretions are the issue. Immediate intervention is needed.

D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
Guaifenesin and incentive spirometry help with secretion clearance, but they are not the priority in this emergent airway situation.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Immediate removal of the cause of obstruction.

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardium, which compresses the heart. The definitive treatment is pericardiocentesis to remove the fluid and relieve the obstruction.

B. Patient will be admitted for a cardiac catheterization.

While catheterization may be performed later for underlying cardiac disease, tamponade requires urgent intervention, not just admission.

C. Administering furosemide for its diuretic effects.

Diuretics reduce preload, which can worsen hypotension in tamponade by further decreasing cardiac output.

D. Withholding IV fluids due to fluid overload.

IV fluids may be used to maintain preload while waiting for pericardiocentesis. The issue is not volume overload but rather mechanical obstruction.

A. Review dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) choices in a client with primary HTN B. With one other CNA logroll a client who has had a bicycle accident C. Obtain a weight on a newly admitted client with diabetes D. Assist a client to the bathroom 1 hour after a lumbar puncture

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Review dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) choices in a client with primary HTN
Dietary education requires nursing judgment and assessment, which are outside the CNA’s scope of practice. This should be done by the RN or a dietitian.

B. With one other CNA, logroll a client who has had a bicycle accident
Logrolling is required in patients with spinal precautions, and an RN or physical therapist should oversee or perform the procedure to ensure proper spinal alignment.

C. Obtain a weight on a newly admitted client with diabetes
Measuring weight is within a CNA’s scope of practice, and it does not require clinical judgment. The CNA can obtain the weight and report findings to the RN.

D. Assist a client to the bathroom 1 hour after a lumbar puncture
A client who has undergone a lumbar puncture is at risk for post-procedure headaches and hypotension due to cerebrospinal fluid loss. The RN should assess the client first before allowing ambulation.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a patient with muffled heart sounds, jugular venous distention and hypotension. The provider diagnoses the patient with cardiac tamponade. The nurse understands that the priority of treatment for this type of shock is

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which action is safest for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate to the certified nursing assistant (CNA)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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