When caring for the patient with a pulmonary artery (PA) pressure catheter, the nurse observes that the PA waveform indicates that the catheter is in the wedged position. Which action should the nurse take next?

a. Zero balance the transducer.
b. Activate the fast flush system.
c. Notify the health care provider.
d. Deflate and reinflate the PA balloon.


ANS: D
When the catheter is in the wedge position, blood flow past the catheter is obstructed, placing the patient at risk for pulmonary infarction. A health care provider or advanced practice nurse should be called to reposition the catheter. The other actions will not correct the wedging of the PA catheter.

Nursing

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When a client dies, which of the following is the highest priority for the nurse caring for the client? Select all that apply. Standard Text: Select all that apply

1. Wash the body of the deceased person as thoroughly as possible. 2. Remove all tubes that have been inserted into the body. 3. Comply with religious and cultural wishes of the family as far as possible. 4. Place the body supine and close the eyes. 5. Elevate the head of the deceased 30 degrees.

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Order: KCl 80 mEq p.o. Available: KCl 40 mEq/30 mL

a. 45 mL b. 30 mL c. 60 mL d. 3 mL

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A patient diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's

disease is having his swallowing ability tested. His wife asks you why this is necessary. What is your best response? a. "This is a routine assessment that is completed for every patient." b. "The prescriber ordered this test to be done to prevent side effects of a new drug for your husband's disease." c. "This test tells us where your husband's swallowing is now, because it may get worse as his disease progresses." d. "We are concerned about whether we will need to place a feeding tube to give his medications."

Nursing

Each month data on admission assessments that are based on the following standard are entered: "All patients will be assessed by an RN within 2 hours of admission."

The target goal for this standard is 97% compliance. Data are displayed on a graph that shows number and time of admission assessments and compliance variation limits. This pictorial representation is a: a. Pareto chart. b. control chart. c. deployment chart. d. top-down flowchart.

Nursing