Which arterial blood gas result should be reported to the health care provider?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: These ABGs indicate uncompensated respiratory acidosis and should be reported to the health care provider. The other values are normal, close to normal, or compensated.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The large amount of blood may indicate that the patient is in danger of developing hypovolemic shock. An air leak would be expected immediately after chest tube placement for a pneumothorax.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The increased rate of pertussis in adults is thought to be caused by decreasing immunity after childhood immunization. Immunization is the most effective method of protecting communities from infectious diseases. Hand washing should be taught, but pertussis is spread by droplets and contact with secretions. Supportive care does not shorten the course of the disease or the risk for transmission. Taking antibiotics as prescribed does assist with decreased transmission, but patients are likely to have already transmitted the disease by the time the diagnosis is made.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The air entrainment ports regulate the O2 percentage delivered to the patient, so they must be unobstructed. The other options refer to other types of O2 devices.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A respiratory rate of 38/min indicates severe respiratory distress, and the patient needs immediate assessment and intervention to prevent possible respiratory arrest. The other patients also need assessment as soon as possible, but they do not need to be assessed as urgently as the patient with tachypnea.