ATI RN
NCLEX Questions Oxygen Therapy Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient recovering from thoracentesis reports worsening dyspnea. What is the nurse's first action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct first action is to assess oxygen saturation (Choice B) to determine the patient's respiratory status. This step is crucial in identifying if the patient is hypoxic, which could be life-threatening. Encouraging deep breathing (Choice A) may worsen dyspnea if there is an underlying respiratory compromise. Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice C) should come after assessing the oxygen saturation. Positioning the patient in high Fowler's (Choice D) may provide comfort but does not address the immediate need to assess oxygen saturation for appropriate intervention.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is scheduled for a thoracentesis. What position is appropriate for the procedure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct position for a thoracentesis is sitting upright leaning over a table. This position allows for better expansion of the lung and easier access to the pleural space. Gravity helps the pleural fluid accumulate at the base of the lung, making the procedure safer and more successful. Supine position (A) may not allow proper access to the pleural space. Prone position (C) is not ideal as it can hinder lung expansion. Lying on the unaffected side (D) can also impede lung expansion and fluid accumulation at the desired site.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is admitted with active tuberculosis (TB). The nurse should question a health care provider's order to discontinue airborne precautions unless which assessment finding is documented?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because negative sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli indicate the absence of active TB infection and therefore, discontinuing airborne precautions would be appropriate. A: Upper lobe infiltrates are common in TB. B: 6 months of TB medication doesn't indicate immediate safety. C: An induration of 10 mm in Mantoux testing could still indicate active infection.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just received a dose of insulin. The patient reports feeling shaky. Which is the priority action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer dextrose. When a patient who has received insulin reports feeling shaky, it indicates hypoglycemia. Administering dextrose helps raise blood sugar levels quickly, addressing the immediate concern. Administering glucagon (choice A) is appropriate for severe hypoglycemia but is not the priority in this case. Assessing the patient's blood glucose level (choice C) is important, but the patient's symptoms already suggest hypoglycemia, so immediate intervention is needed. Administering insulin therapy (choice D) would worsen the hypoglycemia and is inappropriate in this situation.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient. The patient is complaining of nausea and vomiting. What is the priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antiemetic medication. Nausea and vomiting postoperatively can be due to various reasons such as anesthesia, pain medications, or delayed gastric emptying. Administering antiemetic medication helps to alleviate these symptoms, providing comfort to the patient and preventing complications like dehydration. IV fluids (choice B) may be necessary for hydration, but addressing the nausea and vomiting first is crucial. Assessing blood glucose levels (choice C) is not a priority in this situation unless there are specific indications. Choice D is a repetition of the correct answer, making it redundant.