What should the nurse do first for a patient with pain after thoracotomy?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Treat the pain. The patient is unlikely to take deep breaths or cough until the pain level is lower. A chest tube output of 100 mL is not unusual in the first hour after thoracotomy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The best way to determine the appropriate O2 flow rate is by monitoring the patient's oxygenation either by arterial blood gases (ABGs) or pulse oximetry. An O2 saturation of 90% indicates adequate blood O2 level without the danger of suppressing the respiratory drive.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The patient's peak flow is 70% of normal, indicating a need for immediate use of short-acting β2-adrenergic SABA medications. Assessing for correct use of medications or exposure to allergens is also appropriate, but would not address the current decrease in peak flow. [Note: ANS: B in document, but rationale supports A. Assuming typo, corrected to A.]

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: An allotrope is a distinct physical form of the same element, like dioxygen and ozone for oxygen.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Oxygen can be drying; applying water-soluble ointment to nares and lips is a delegable comfort measure.