ATI RN
Nursing Fundamentals Oxygenation Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of diabetes who is experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness. What is the priority action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer glucose for hypoglycemia. In a patient with a history of diabetes experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness, the priority action is to address hypoglycemia, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Administering glucose will help raise the blood sugar levels quickly and resolve the symptoms. Administering insulin (choices A and C) would lower blood sugar levels further, worsening the symptoms. Choice D, administering glucose for hypoglycemia, is incorrect because giving additional glucose to a patient already experiencing hypoglycemia can lead to rebound hypoglycemia. Thus, the priority is to treat hypoglycemia promptly with glucose.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse analyzes the results of a patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs). Which finding would require immediate action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, option D, "The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO₂) is 59 mm Hg," requires immediate action. A PaO₂ of 59 mm Hg indicates severe hypoxemia, which means there is a dangerously low level of oxygen in the blood. Immediate intervention is necessary to improve oxygenation and prevent potential complications like tissue damage or organ failure. Option A, with a bicarbonate level of 31 mEq/L, may indicate metabolic alkalosis but does not pose an immediate threat to the patient's life. Option B, an arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) of 92%, while slightly lower than normal, does not signify an urgent issue requiring immediate action. Option C, a partial pressure of CO₂ in arterial blood (PaCO₂) of 31 mm Hg, is within normal range and does not indicate immediate danger to the patient. Understanding ABG values is crucial for nurses to assess a patient's respiratory and metabolic status accurately. Recognizing abnormal ABG results and their implications allows timely interventions to optimize patient outcomes. Nurses must be adept at interpreting ABG values to provide prompt and effective care, especially in critical situations like severe hypoxemia.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse obtains the following assessment data on an older patient who has influenza. Which information will be most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, option B, "Diffuse crackles in the lungs," is the most important assessment data for the nurse to communicate to the healthcare provider. The presence of diffuse crackles indicates potential complications such as pneumonia or fluid overload, which can be life-threatening in older patients with influenza. Communicating this finding promptly can help expedite appropriate treatment and prevent further deterioration in the patient's condition. Option A, "Fever of 100.4°F (38°C)," is a common symptom of influenza and, although important, does not indicate a critical complication requiring immediate attention. Option C, "Sore throat and frequent cough," are typical symptoms of influenza and do not pose immediate risks to the patient's health. Option D, "Myalgia and persistent headache," are also common symptoms of influenza and do not signify a critical condition that necessitates urgent intervention. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of recognizing subtle but significant clinical findings in older patients with influenza. It underscores the need for nurses to prioritize and communicate critical assessment data promptly to ensure timely and appropriate management of potentially serious complications in this vulnerable population. Developing proficiency in recognizing and responding to such findings is crucial for providing safe and effective care to patients, particularly those at higher risk for complications.
Question 4 of 5
An occupational health nurse works at a manufacturing plant where there is potential exposure to inhaled dust. Which action recommended by the nurse is intended to prevent lung disease?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C) Require the use of protective equipment. This action is recommended to prevent lung disease as it serves as a primary prevention strategy against inhaling dust particles that can lead to respiratory issues. By ensuring that workers wear appropriate protective gear such as masks, the nurse is proactively reducing the risk of dust inhalation and subsequent lung damage. Option A) Treat workers with pulmonary fibrosis is incorrect as it focuses on treating a condition that has already developed rather than preventing it. Option B) Teach about symptoms of lung disease is also incorrect as mere awareness of symptoms does not actively prevent lung disease. Option D) Monitor workers for coughing and wheezing is a form of secondary prevention and does not address the root cause of preventing dust inhalation. In an educational context, it is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to understand the importance of primary prevention strategies in occupational health settings. By emphasizing the use of protective equipment and workplace safety measures, nurses can play a key role in promoting a healthy work environment and reducing the incidence of occupational lung diseases. This knowledge empowers nurses to take proactive steps to safeguard the respiratory health of workers in high-risk environments.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse notes that a patient has incisional pain, a poor cough effort, and scattered coarse crackles after a thoracotomy. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct action for the nurse to take first is to medicate the patient with prescribed morphine (Option C). Providing pain relief with morphine is crucial as it can help alleviate the incisional pain experienced by the patient post-thoracotomy. By addressing the pain, the patient's ability to cough effectively will improve, aiding in clearing secretions and enhancing lung expansion. Assisting the patient to sit upright in a chair (Option A) is important for optimizing lung expansion and promoting ventilation. However, in this case, addressing the pain with morphine takes precedence to improve the cough effort and overall respiratory function. While splinting the patient's chest during coughing (Option B) can provide support and reduce discomfort, it does not directly address the underlying issue of pain and its impact on cough effort and lung expansion. Observing the patient use the incentive spirometer (Option D) is a valuable intervention to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis. However, in the context of this scenario, managing the patient's pain is the priority to enhance respiratory function. Educationally, this scenario highlights the importance of effective pain management in promoting optimal respiratory function post-thoracotomy. It underscores the interconnectedness of pain, cough effort, and lung expansion in the context of oxygenation and respiratory health, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to patient care.