The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. During assessment, the nurse finds that the patient is experiencing increased dyspnea
What is the most accurate measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the patient's blood?
A) A capillary blood sample
B) Pulse oximetry
C) An arterial blood gas (ABG) study
D) A complete blood count (CBC)
Ans: C
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The arterial oxygen tension (partial pressure or PaO2) indicates the degree of oxygenation of the blood, and the arterial carbon dioxide tension (partial pressure or PaCO2) indicates the adequacy of alveolar ventilation. ABG studies aid in assessing the ability of the lungs to provide adequate oxygen and remove carbon dioxide and the ability of the kidneys to reabsorb or excrete bicarbonate ions to maintain normal body pH. Capillary blood samples are venous blood, not arterial blood, so they are not as accurate as an ABG. Pulse oximetry is a useful clinical tool but does not replace ABG measurement, because it is not as accurate. A CBC does not indicate the concentration of oxygen.
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Which technique is correct when the nurse is assessing the radial pulse of a patient? The pulse is counted for:
a. 1 minute, if the rhythm is irregular. b. 15 seconds and then multiplied by 4, if the rhythm is regular. c. 2 full minutes to detect any variation in amplitude. d. 10 seconds and then multiplied by 6, if the patient has no history of cardiac abnormalities.
Which of the following is true about the affects of the release of ADH?
A. ADH is released when the blood serum sodium level is hypertonic, having a serum sodium level of >145 mEq/l. ADH secretion is inhibited when the blood serum sodium level is hypotonic and has a serum sodium level of <135 mEq/l. B. ADH is released when the blood serum sodium level is hypertonic and has a serum sodium level of <135 mEq/l. ADH secretion is inhibited when the blood serum sodium level is hypotonic and has a serum sodium level of >145 mEq/l. C. ADH is released when the blood serum sodium level is hypotonic and has a sodium level of <135 mEq/l. ADH secretion is inhibited when the blood serum sodium level is hypertonic and has a serum sodium level of >145 mEq/l. D. None of these are correct.
A patient with a fever, myalgia, sore throat, and sunburn-like rash is admitted with the diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome. What additional clinical manifestation should the nurse assess for?
a. Hypotension b. Vaginal bleeding c. Bradycardia d. Polyuria
A client calls his urologist's office to clarify instructions about semen analysis. What should the nurse instruct the client to do?
1. Use a lubricant while obtaining the semen specimen. 2. Remain abstinent for 3 days prior to collecting the specimen. 3. Immediately refrigerate the specimen for a maximum of 8 hours. 4. Deliver the specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection.