Mrs. W. has been with her husband since he arrived at the emergency department and is worried about his condition and his care
List five things you might do to make her more comfortable while her husband is in the MICU.
• Explain to her that a nurse is watching her husband closely and that his heart rhythm is being
monitored at all times.
• Explain the equipment (monitoring devices, tubes, wires, alarms) used for his care. Familiarity with
them might make them seem less intimidating.
• Explain all procedures and treatments before they are performed.
• Report her husband's condition to her regularly. This demonstrates caring if the report is
unsolicited. It also engenders trust.
• Encourage her to take care of herself while her husband is in the hospital by eating well and
getting enough rest.
• Let her know that if she goes home for brief periods, she can call the MICU at any time to inquire
about her husband.
• Encourage her to seek support from friends, family, or clergy.
• Let her know it is OK to ask questions. Ask her if she has any questions, and encourage her to write
them down for future reference in talking with nurses and physicians.
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A client will have a serum Alpha1-antitrypsin drawn in the morning. The nurse should instruct the client to:
1. Exercise before the test. 2. Take several deep breaths before the blood is drawn. 3. Not eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours prior to the test. 4. Void before the test is drawn.
After spreading your patient's buttocks with gloved hands to inspect the anal mucosa, you should instruct the patient to
a. take a deep breath, then breathe out slowly and relax. b. flex both knees and hold tightly with both hands. c. bear down as if moving the bowels. d. cough several times.
The nurse finds that an infant has stronger pulses in the upper extremities than in the lower extremities and higher blood pressure readings in the arms than in the legs. This could be indicative of which heart defect?
1. Patent ductus arteriosus 2. Atrial septal defect 3. Transposition of the great vessels 4. Coarctation of the aorta
Always carry soiled linen ____________________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).