A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the hospital with acute exacerbation and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Which of the following ventilator settings is most appropriate for minimizing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in this patient?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients with COPD are at increased risk for developing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) due to their underlying lung pathology. Using a low tidal volume strategy (6-8 ml/kg predicted body weight) has been shown to reduce the risk of VILI in these patients. Additionally, applying high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) helps to recruit collapsed alveoli, improve oxygenation, and decrease the risk of barotrauma by keeping the alveoli open throughout the respiratory cycle. Therefore, the most appropriate ventilator settings to minimize the risk of VILI in a COPD patient with acute exacerbation and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation would be low tidal volume and high PEEP.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Prolonged rupture of membranes (>24 hours) increases the risk of intrauterine infection for both the mother and the fetus. When the amniotic sac has been ruptured for an extended period, there is a higher likelihood of bacteria entering the uterus, leading to chorioamnionitis (inflammation of the fetal membranes due to infection). Intrauterine infection can be dangerous for both the mother and fetus, potentially causing sepsis, preterm labor, and other complications. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to assess for signs and symptoms of infection in both the mother and fetus when managing a woman in active labor with prolonged rupture of membranes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The primary goal of enhancing communication skills for a nurse is to establish rapport with patients, which can lead to better outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and improved quality of care. Generating a threat between the nurse and the patient is counterproductive to building rapport and does not align with the intention of enhancing communication skills in healthcare settings.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Negligence refers to the failure to take proper care in doing something. In this scenario, the nurse failed to exercise the standard of care expected in placing a heating pad directly on Mr. C's lower leg, knowing his history of peripheral vascular disease. This failure led to a burn and subsequent infection that required a skin graft for treatment. The actions of the nurse were negligent as they did not meet the expected standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. This situation does not fit the definition of assault, malpractice, or vicarious liability, making negligence the most appropriate choice.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Patient's Bill of Rights typically focuses on ensuring patients have the right to certain aspects of their healthcare, such as the right to refuse treatment, the right to informed consent, and the right to receive treatment. Civil commitment, on the other hand, refers to the legal process through which an individual is involuntarily placed in a psychiatric facility for evaluation and treatment. This issue is not typically addressed in the Patient's Bill of Rights, as it involves specific legal procedures rather than general patient rights.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients with COPD are at increased risk for developing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) due to their underlying lung pathology. Using a low tidal volume strategy (6-8 ml/kg predicted body weight) has been shown to reduce the risk of VILI in these patients. Additionally, applying high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) helps to recruit collapsed alveoli, improve oxygenation, and decrease the risk of barotrauma by keeping the alveoli open throughout the respiratory cycle. Therefore, the most appropriate ventilator settings to minimize the risk of VILI in a COPD patient with acute exacerbation and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation would be low tidal volume and high PEEP.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presentation of a palpable, non-tender mass in the right neck, just below the angle of the mandible, along with ultrasound imaging findings of a well-defined, hypoechoic lesion with cystic components, is classic for a branchial cleft cyst. Branchial cleft cysts are congenital anomalies that arise from remnants of the branchial clefts or pouches during embryonic development. They are typically located along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, just below the mandible. Ultrasound imaging often shows a cystic lesion with well-defined borders and hypoechoic content, which is consistent with the described findings. Thyroglossal duct cysts usually present as midline neck masses that move with swallowing or tongue protrusion, not in the location described in the scenario. Lymphadenopathy would present as enlarged lymph nodes that may be tender and associated with systemic symptoms.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: An abdominal ultrasound is the imaging test that uses a transducer and is most commonly ordered by physicians to detect gallstones. This non-invasive procedure allows the physician to visualize the gallbladder and detect any presence of gallstones. The transducer emits sound waves that bounce off the gallstones, creating images that can be seen on a screen. This imaging test is safe, reliable, and effective in diagnosing gallstones without the use of radiation or contrast dye.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The client is exhibiting signs and symptoms of respiratory alkalosis. When a person is experiencing respiratory alkalosis, there is an excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body, leading to elevated blood pH. The marked increase in the rate and depth of respirations as well as symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, and irritability are characteristic of respiratory alkalosis. This condition can be caused by hyperventilation, anxiety, or fever, which result in excessive elimination of CO2 from the body, leading to an imbalance in the acid-base status. Treatment for respiratory alkalosis involves addressing the underlying cause, such as providing reassurance to decrease anxiety or managing the breathing pattern to normalize CO2 levels.