Which teaching point will the nurse include when providing discharge instructions to the patient with a new permanent pacemaker?
a. "You will be able to have an MRI for di-agnostic purposes."
b. "Avoid using microwave ovens."
c. "Avoid lifting heavy objects for as long as your physician prescribes."
d. "Airport screening devices may cause your pacemaker to fire incorrectly."
C
The postoperative patient with a permanent pacemaker can assume normal activity when the physician prescribes. Using the arm for lifting and other activities may dislodge the leads from their positions. MRIs must be avoided since the large magnet can interfere with the pacemaker's function. Microwaves and airport security devices do not affect the pacemaker.
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Indicate whether the statement is true or false
You are assessing an 86-year-old postoperative patient who has an unexpressive, stoic demeanor
When you enter the room, the patient is curled into the fetal position and your assessment reveals that his vital signs are elevated and he is diaphoretic. You ask the patient what his pain level is on a 0-to-10 scale that you explained to the patient prior to surgery. The patient indicates a pain level of "three or so." You review your pain-management orders and find that all medications are ordered PRN. How would you treat this patient's pain? A) Treat the patient on the basis of objective signs of pain and reassess him frequently. B) Call the physician for new orders because it is apparent that the pain medicine is not working. C) Believe what the patient says, reinforce education, and reassess often. D) Ask the family what they think and treat the patient accordingly.
A patient has a water-sealed chest drainage system following thoracic surgery. The nurse should instruct the patient and the family that this drainage system is used to:
A) Maintain positive chest wall pressure B) Monitor pleural fluid C) Provide positive intrathoracic pressure D) Re-expand the lung and remove excess air and fluid
An improvement in research ethics could prevent some or all of which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Breaches of anonymity b. Researchers' failures to report their funding sources in publications c. Minimal risk to research participants d. Unauthorized data collection e. Patients' inability to understand complex research designs