A patient with COPD reports increased dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

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Question 1 of 5

A patient with COPD reports increased dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer a prescribed bronchodilator. This is the first intervention because it helps to relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow, addressing the immediate symptom of dyspnea in COPD. Bronchodilators act quickly to open up the airways, providing prompt relief. B: Increasing oxygen flow rate may be necessary, but addressing bronchoconstriction with a bronchodilator should come first. C: Assessing arterial blood gases is important for evaluating oxygenation status, but administering a bronchodilator should be the initial action for immediate relief of dyspnea. D: Encouraging pursed-lip breathing is a helpful technique for managing dyspnea in COPD, but administering a bronchodilator is the priority to address the underlying bronchoconstriction causing the increased dyspnea.

Question 2 of 5

Which nursing action is most important for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Performing frequent oral care with chlorhexidine. This is crucial for preventing VAP as it helps reduce the colonization of bacteria in the oral cavity that can be aspirated into the lungs. Antibiotics (A) are not preventive measures for VAP. Turning the patient (C) helps prevent pressure ulcers, not VAP. Keeping the patient sedated (D) can lead to inadequate respiratory effort and increase the risk of VAP. Overall, proper oral care plays a significant role in reducing the risk of VAP by minimizing bacterial growth in the mouth.

Question 3 of 5

Which intervention is most important for a patient with rib fractures to prevent complications?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because administering pain medication before deep breathing helps manage pain during deep breathing exercises, which are essential for preventing atelectasis and pneumonia in patients with rib fractures. Shallow breathing (Choice B) can lead to complications, so it should not be encouraged. Applying a rib binder (Choice A) may restrict chest expansion and hinder deep breathing. Restricting fluid intake (Choice D) is not directly related to preventing complications from rib fractures.

Question 4 of 5

Which is the most effective intervention for preventing pneumonia in a hospitalized patient?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Promoting early ambulation. Early ambulation helps prevent pneumonia by reducing the risk of atelectasis, a common complication in hospitalized patients that can lead to pneumonia. Moving and mobilizing the patient helps to clear secretions and improve lung function. Antibiotics (choice A) are not recommended for routine prophylaxis due to concerns about antibiotic resistance. While oral care (choice C) and fluid intake (choice D) are important for overall patient health, they do not directly prevent pneumonia in hospitalized patients.

Question 5 of 5

The nurse assesses a patient with a chest tube and notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What is the best action?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check for loose connections in the tubing. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak. Checking for loose connections ensures proper functioning of the chest tube drainage system. Clamping the chest tube (choice A) can lead to tension pneumothorax. Replacing the entire system (choice C) is unnecessary and costly. Notifying the healthcare provider (choice D) can be done after checking for loose connections.

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