ATI RN
Adult Health Nursing First Chapter Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with advanced heart failure expresses fear and anxiety about the progression of their illness. What is the palliative nurse's most appropriate response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The palliative nurse's most appropriate response in this scenario is to offer empathetic listening and explore the patient's concerns about the future. By providing a compassionate and supportive environment for the patient to express their fears and anxieties, the nurse can help the patient feel heard and understood. This approach allows the nurse to address the patient's emotional needs and provide appropriate support to help them cope with their feelings. Avoiding discussions or minimizing the patient's concerns may invalidate their emotions and hinder the therapeutic relationship. Encouraging distraction techniques or focusing solely on positive thoughts may not address the underlying fears and anxieties that the patient is experiencing. Therefore, offering empathetic listening and exploring the patient's concerns is the most appropriate way for the nurse to provide holistic care for the patient with advanced heart failure.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with terminal cancer is experiencing dyspnea due to pleural effusion. What intervention should the palliative nurse prioritize to manage the patient's symptoms?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The palliative nurse should prioritize performing thoracentesis to drain the pleural fluid and relieve dyspnea in a patient with terminal cancer experiencing pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is a common complication in patients with advanced cancer and can cause significant respiratory distress. Drainage of the pleural fluid through thoracentesis can provide immediate relief by easing the pressure on the lungs and improving the patient's ability to breathe. This intervention is essential in managing dyspnea for comfort and quality of life in palliative care settings. Administering bronchodilator medications (option A) or recommending non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (option C) may not directly address the underlying cause of dyspnea in this case. While relaxation techniques (option D) can help with anxiety and overall well-being, they may not be sufficient in managing the physical symptom of dyspnea caused by pleural effusion.
Question 3 of 5
A patient undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU develops ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). What intervention should the healthcare team prioritize to manage the patient's respiratory infection?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious complication in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU. The priority intervention to manage respiratory infection in a patient with VAP is the administration of appropriate antibiotics to target and eliminate the causative pathogens. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are usually initiated empirically to cover a wide range of potential pathogens commonly associated with VAP, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter species. Timely initiation of antibiotic therapy is crucial in improving outcomes and reducing morbidity and mortality associated with VAP. Other interventions like endotracheal suctioning, oral hygiene measures, and early mobilization are also important in preventing complications and promoting recovery, but the primary focus should be on treating the infection with antibiotics.
Question 4 of 5
A patient admitted to the ICU develops severe sepsis with refractory hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation. What intervention should the healthcare team prioritize to manage the patient's septic shock?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the scenario described, the patient is experiencing refractory hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation, indicating the presence of septic shock. In septic shock, systemic vasodilation and vascular hyporesponsiveness contribute to hypotension. Therefore, the primary management approach is to restore vascular tone and blood pressure to maintain organ perfusion. Administering vasopressor medications (Choice A) is the crucial intervention to achieve this goal. Vasopressors, such as norepinephrine or vasopressin, constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure, helping to stabilize the patient in septic shock. While options B and C (performing blood cultures and initiating broad-spectrum antibiotics) are important for identifying the causative pathogen and treating the infection, they are secondary to the immediate need for hemodynamic support in septic shock. Prophylactic anticoagulation (Choice D) is not the primary intervention for
Question 5 of 5
A patient undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU develops ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What intervention should the healthcare team prioritize to manage the patient's infection?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most important intervention for managing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a patient undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU is to start appropriate antimicrobial therapy targeting MRSA. Vancomycin or linezolid are commonly used antibiotics for MRSA infections. These medications are effective against MRSA and can help in treating the infection and preventing further complications. It is crucial to initiate antimicrobial therapy promptly once the diagnosis of VAP caused by MRSA is suspected or confirmed to improve patient outcomes. Other interventions such as bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnostic purposes, contact precautions, or antifungal therapy may be relevant but the priority is to start effective antibiotic therapy to target the specific pathogen causing the infection.