Numbers with Consequences
A patient’s CD4 count is 180 cells/mm³. The nurse recognizes this as this stage of illness.
What is stage 3/AIDS?
A patient with rib fractures becomes increasingly short of breath and has absent breath sounds on one side. This is the most likely complication.
What is a pneumothorax?
What is expiration?
A patient receiving IV antibiotics reports mild itching without rash, shortness of breath, or hypotension. The nurse should take this action first.
What is assess for further signs of an allergic reaction?
A patient with pneumonia becomes increasingly confused and tachycardic despite antibiotic therapy. The nurse suspects this complication.
What is sepsis?
A patient’s absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is 420/mm³. This is the nurses' priority.
A patient with pneumonia develops fever, chest pain, and copious amounts of foul-smelling sputum. The nurse suspects this condition.
What is a lung abscess?
This is the hallmark sign of ARDS.
What is hypoxemia despite O2 supplementation?
A patient with pneumonia has an SpO₂ of 89% on room air and is speaking in full sentences. This is the most appropriate initial nursing action.
What is apply supplemental O2?
(nasal cannula would be most appropriate)
A patient with pneumonia reports sharp chest pain that worsens with deep inspiration and coughing. Lung sounds are otherwise clear. The nurse suspects this condition.
What is pleurisy?
DAILY DOUBLE!
The nurse is caring for three patients with the following lab results:
Patient 1: ANC: 900
Patient 2: Hemoglobin: 9.2
Patient 3: Platelet 10,000
This patient is the nurse's priority.
The nurse understands that the patient with a lung abcess is at risk for this potential complication.
What is empyema?
A patient presents with a chronic cough with hemoptysis, weight loss, night sweats, and a low grade fever. The nurse suspects this condition.
What is TB?
A ventilated patient triggers a high-pressure alarm. The nurse should do this first.
What is assess the patient for an airway obstruction?
A patient with blunt chest trauma has decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion on one side. The nurse suspects this complication.
What is a hemothorax?
A patient’s hemoglobin is 8.1 g/dL and MCV is 72 fL. This is the nurse's priority assessment.
What is assess for bleeding?
The nurse knows that this finding is consistent with flail chest.
What is paradoxical chest movement?
This ventilator setting helps to prevent alveoli collapse in ARDS.
What is PEEP?
A patient receiving chemotherapy reports burning at the IV site. This is the nurse’s first action.
What is stop the infusion?
A patient with shingles reports severe pain persisting after the rash resolves. The nurse educates the patient that it is likely this condition.
What is postherpetic neuralgia?
A patient has the following findings:
Hemoglobin: 7.6 g/dL
Platelets: 42,000/mm³
ANC: 380/mm³
Temperature: 101.2°F (38.4°C)
This finding is the nurse's priority.
What is ANC of 380 with fever (neutropenic fever)?
This is the reason that patients with multiple rib fractures are at risk for pneumonia.
What is they are unable to take deep, effective breaths due to pain?
A patient with severe COPD becomes increasingly somnolent with rising PaCO₂ levels. The nurse prepares for this potential complication.
What is impending respiratory failure?
A patient with a platelet count of 32,000/mm³ is scheduled for an IM injection. This is the nurse's priority.
What is hold the medication and notify the provider?
DAILY DOUBLE!
A patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax is rapidly deteriorating. The nurse knows to prepare the patient for this procedure.