The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone bronchoscopy. The patient states that she is thirsty and requests a drink of water. What is the nurse's best action?
a. Provide ice chips.
b. Check the patient for a gag reflex.
c. Provide a small cup of ice water with a straw.
d. Keep the patient NPO.
ANS: B
Numbing medication is applied to the back of the throat just before bronchoscopy. This may lead to swallowing difficulty and risk for aspiration until the gag reflex returns. The nurse should ensure that the patient has an intact gag reflex before any oral food or fluids are provided. The nurse does not need to keep the patient NPO after the gag reflex returns so it should be checked in order to allow the patient to have fluids as soon as possible to relieve thirst.
You might also like to view...
Which of these substances starts to form around week 16 and may be present in amniotic fluid if the fetus encounters hypoxic stress during the pregnancy, labor, or delivery?
a. blood c. meconium b. fetal hemoglobin d. urine
The nurse is assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which symptom would the nurse expect to find?
a. Dependent edema b. Distended neck veins c. Dyspnea and crackles d. Nausea and vomiting
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is admitted for an acute respiratory incident. The client will be discharged to long-term care before being able to go home
One nurse will plan this entire span of services for the client. Which type of care plan would be the most appropriate for this approach to client care? 1. individualized care 2. case management 3. clinical care 4. computerized care
The nurse prepares a patient with Graves' disease for radioactive iodine (131I) therapy. Which statement made by the patient best demonstrates understanding of 131I therapy?
a. "I will have to isolate myself from my family for 1 week so that I don't expose them to radiation." b. "This drug will be taken up by the thyroid gland and will destroy the cells to reduce my hyperthyroidism." c. "This drug will help reduce my cold intolerance and weight gain." d. "I will need to take this drug on a daily basis for at least 1 year."