The nurse is caring for a patient who has a pleural effusion and who underwent a thoracoscopic procedure earlier in the morning. The nurse should prioritize assessment for which of the following?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Shortness of breath. Following a thoracoscopic procedure for a pleural effusion, shortness of breath is a priority assessment as it could indicate complications such as pneumothorax or respiratory distress. Sputum production (A) may be important but is secondary to respiratory distress. Throat discomfort (C) and epistaxis (D) are not directly related to the procedure or potential complications and would not be the priority assessment in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: venous blood. In the body, carbon dioxide is carried in the blood, primarily in the form of bicarbonate ions. Venous blood, returning from tissues to the heart, has higher levels of carbon dioxide compared to arterial blood. This results in a higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide in venous blood. Alveolar air (B) has a lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide due to gas exchange in the lungs, while expired air (C) has even lower levels as carbon dioxide is exhaled. Inspired air (D) has the lowest partial pressure of carbon dioxide as it has not yet entered the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A 10% increase in CO2 levels triggers chemoreceptors to signal the brainstem, increasing the respiratory rate to eliminate excess CO2. This is known as hypercapnia-induced hyperventilation. Option A is incorrect because an increase in CO2 levels would not decrease the rate of breathing. Option C is incorrect because an increase in CO2 would actually stimulate an increase in pulmonary ventilation to remove the excess CO2. Option D is incorrect because alveolar ventilation (gas exchange in the lungs) would increase, not decrease, to maintain proper oxygen and CO2 levels in the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: smooth muscle. Smooth muscle is the type of muscle that wraps around a respiratory bronchiole and can contract or relax to change the diameter of the airway. This allows for regulation of airflow in the respiratory system. Skeletal muscle (choice A) is attached to bones and is under voluntary control, not found in the bronchioles. Cardiac muscle (choice C) is specific to the heart and does not control airway diameter. Voluntary muscle (choice D) refers to skeletal muscle, which is not present in the bronchioles and does not regulate airway diameter involuntarily.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: To relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. The main goal of treatment in heart failure is to manage symptoms, improve heart function, and enhance quality of life. This involves optimizing medications, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes devices or surgeries. Increasing blood pressure (A) is not the goal as high blood pressure can worsen heart failure. Curing the underlying cause (B) may not always be possible, so the focus is on managing symptoms. Inducing weight loss (D) may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the primary goal of treatment for heart failure.