ATI RN
ATI Nursing Specialty
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD expresses difficulty in bringing up bronchial secretions. Which action should the nurse take to help the client with tenacious bronchial secretions?
- A. Maintaining a semi-Fowler's position as much as possible
- B. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L per min
- C. Helping the client select a low-salt diet
- D. Encouraging the client to drink eight glasses of water daily
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Encouraging the client to drink eight glasses of water daily is the most appropriate action to help with tenacious bronchial secretions in COPD. Increased fluid intake can help in thinning the mucus, making it easier for the client to cough up and clear secretions. This addresses the client's difficulty in bringing up bronchial secretions. Maintaining a semi-Fowler's position can aid in breathing but does not directly address the issue of clearing secretions. Administering oxygen may be necessary for COPD, but it does not specifically target the tenacious secretions. Selecting a low-salt diet can be helpful in managing COPD in general, but it does not directly address the client's current concern of clearing bronchial secretions.
2. A client hospitalized with deep vein thrombosis has been on IV heparin for 5 days. The provider prescribes oral warfarin (Coumadin) without discontinuing the heparin. The client asks the nurse why both anticoagulants are necessary. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing response?
- A. The Coumadin takes several days to work, so the IV heparin will be used until the Coumadin reaches a therapeutic level.
- B. I will call the provider to get a prescription for discontinuing the IV heparin today
- C. Both heparin and Coumadin work together to dissolve the clots.
- D. The IV heparin increases the effects of the Coumadin and decreases the length of your hospital stay.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is, 'The Coumadin takes several days to work, so the IV heparin will be used until the Coumadin reaches a therapeutic level.' Warfarin (Coumadin) is an oral anticoagulant that takes time to reach its full effect, typically a few days. In the meantime, IV heparin is used to provide immediate anticoagulation until the Coumadin levels become therapeutic. Option B is incorrect because discontinuing the IV heparin abruptly without reaching a therapeutic level with Coumadin can increase the risk of clot formation. Option C is incorrect because heparin and Coumadin do not work together to dissolve clots; they both have anticoagulant effects but work differently. Option D is incorrect because IV heparin does not directly increase the effects of Coumadin; they have different mechanisms of action.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who came to the emergency department reporting chest pain. The provider suspects a myocardial infarction. While waiting for the laboratory to report the client's troponin levels, the client asks what this blood test will show. The nurse should explain that troponin is
- A. an enzyme that indicates damage to brain, heart, and skeletal muscle tissues.
- B. a protein whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery disease.
- C. a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart.
- D. a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is that troponin is a heart muscle protein that appears in the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart. Troponin is a specific marker for heart muscle damage, particularly seen in conditions like myocardial infarction. Choice A is incorrect as troponin is not an enzyme that indicates damage to brain and skeletal muscle tissues. Choice B is incorrect as troponin is not a protein whose levels reflect the risk for coronary artery disease; it indicates heart muscle damage. Choice D is incorrect as troponin is not a protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body; its presence in the bloodstream is specific to heart muscle damage.
4. During a home visit, a nurse sees a client with COPD receiving oxygen at 2 L/min through a nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing. What is the priority nursing action at this time?
- A. Increase the oxygen flow to 3 L/min.
- B. Evaluate the client's respiratory status.
- C. Call emergency services for the client.
- D. Instruct the client to cough and clear secretions.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The priority nursing action in this situation is to evaluate the client's respiratory status. When a client with COPD on oxygen therapy experiences difficulty breathing, the nurse should first assess the client's respiratory status to determine the severity of the situation. Increasing the oxygen flow without proper assessment can be harmful if not clinically indicated. While calling emergency services may eventually be necessary, it should not be the immediate action without assessing the client first. Instructing the client to cough and clear secretions is not appropriate as the nurse needs to evaluate the respiratory status before proceeding with interventions.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The client is on airborne precautions and is being treated with multidrug therapy. A chest x-ray is scheduled for the client. Which of the following is not a precaution the nurse should take to safely transport the client to x-ray?
- A. Ask the x-ray technician to come to the client's room to perform a portable x-ray.
- B. Have the client wear a mask.
- C. Notify the x-ray department that the client is on airborne precautions.
- D. Wear a filtration mask and gloves for protection against the client's microorganisms.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to ask the x-ray technician to come to the client's room to perform a portable x-ray. This option minimizes the risk of exposing other individuals to the client's infectious microorganisms during transport. Having the client wear a mask (Choice B) and notifying the x-ray department about airborne precautions (Choice C) are crucial precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Additionally, wearing a filtration mask and gloves (Choice D) is essential for the nurse's protection when in direct contact with the client, but it is not directly related to transporting the client to the x-ray department.
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