Exam 25: Assessment of Respiratory System

A patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)was hospitalized for increasing shortness of breath and chronic hypoxemia (SaO₂ levels of 89% to 90%). In planning for discharge,which action by the nurse will be most effective in improving compliance with discharge teaching?

On auscultation of a patient's lungs,the nurse hears low-pitched,bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?

Which assessment finding indicates that the nurse should take immediate action for an older patient?

The nurse teaches a patient about pulmonary spirometry testing. Which statement,if made by the patient,indicates teaching was effective?

The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?

The nurse observes that a patient with respiratory disease experiences a decrease in SpO₂ from 93% to 88% while the patient is ambulating. What is the priority action of the nurse?

While listening to the posterior chest of a patient who is experiencing acute shortness of breath,the nurse hears these sounds. How should the nurse document the lung sounds? HYPERLINK "http://static.us.elsevierhealth.com/lewis_9e/wheezing.mp3" Click here to listen to the audio clip

The nurse analyzes the results of a patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs). Which finding would require immediate action?

A patient in metabolic alkalosis is admitted to the emergency department and pulse oximetry (SpO₂)indicates that the O₂ saturation is 94%. Which action should the nurse expect to take next?

A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT)scan. Which information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care provider before the CT?

The nurse completes a shift assessment on a patient admitted in the early phase of heart failure. When auscultating the patient's lungs,which finding would the nurse most likely hear?

The nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of an acute asthma attack. Which statement indicates that the patient may need teaching regarding medication use?

A patient is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT)scan of the chest with contrast media. Which assessment findings should the nurse report to the health care provider before the patient goes for the CT ?

Which action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

After the nurse has received change-of-shift report,which patient should the nurse assess first?

A patient with acute shortness of breath is admitted to the hospital. Which action should the nurse take during the initial assessment of the patient?

Using the illustrated technique,the nurse is assessing for which finding in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

The laboratory has just called with the arterial blood gas (ABG)results on four patients. Which result is most important for the nurse to report immediately to the health care provider?

A diabetic patient's arterial blood gas (ABG)results are pH 7.28; PaCO₂ 34 mm Hg; PaO₂ 85 mm Hg; HCO₃- 18 mEq/L. The nurse would expect which finding?

The nurse palpates the posterior chest while the patient says "99" and notes absent fremitus. Which action should the nurse take next?