Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Administration of neuromuscular blocking agents can hinder pain or anxiety assessment as it paralyzes the patient, preventing them from communicating discomfort. 2. Delirium may affect the patient's ability to express pain or anxiety, but it does not directly impede assessment and management. 3. Effective nurse communication and assessment skills facilitate, rather than hamper, pain or anxiety assessment. 4. Nonverbal patients can still communicate pain or anxiety through nonverbal cues, so they do not necessarily hinder assessment.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The distal tip of the catheter is in the appropriate position. Rationale: 1. The superior vena cava is a desirable location for a central venous catheter tip placement as it is close to the heart for rapid medication delivery. 2. Catheter tip in the superior vena cava allows for proper venous return and minimizes the risk of complications. 3. The nurse does not need to remove or adjust the catheter if the tip is in the superior vena cava. 4. Advancing the catheter into the pulmonary artery (option D) would be incorrect as it can lead to serious complications. Incorrect choices: A: Incorrect because placement in the superior vena cava is acceptable. B: Incorrect as placement in the superior vena cava does not increase the risk of ventricular dysrhythmias. D: Incorrect as advancing the catheter into the pulmonary artery is unnecessary and risky.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Begin phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) for systolic BP < 90 mm Hg. The nurse should implement this order first because the patient's low blood pressure (75/50 mm Hg) indicates hypotension, which can lead to inadequate perfusion to vital organs. Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor that can help increase the patient's blood pressure and improve perfusion. It is crucial to address hypotension promptly to prevent further complications. Choice A is incorrect because maintaining the patient's temperature above 96.8°F is not the most urgent concern in this scenario. Choice B is incorrect as obtaining a basic metabolic panel every 4 hours is not the immediate priority when the patient is experiencing hypotension. Choice D is incorrect as drawing arterial blood gas every 4 hours is not the most urgent intervention needed to address the patient's low blood pressure.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct interpretation is uncompensated respiratory acidosis (Choice C) based on the values. Step 1: Evaluate pH - pH is <7.35, indicating acidosis. Step 2: Determine PaCO2 - PaCO2 is >45 mmHg, indicating respiratory cause. Step 3: Check HCO3- - HCO3- is within normal range, indicating uncompensated state. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the given blood gas values.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increase functional residual capacity. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) helps increase the functional residual capacity by keeping the alveoli open at the end of expiration. This prevents alveolar collapse, improves ventilation-perfusion matching, and enhances oxygenation. B: Prevent collapse of unstable alveoli - This is incorrect because PEEP actually helps prevent the collapse of all alveoli, not just unstable ones. C: Improve arterial oxygenation - This is partially correct, but the primary mechanism through which PEEP improves oxygenation is by increasing functional residual capacity. D: Open collapsed alveoli - This is incorrect because PEEP helps prevent alveolar collapse rather than actively opening already collapsed alveoli.