chapter 38 summary answers

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1. a, c, e, f. If a problem exists in ventilation, respiration, or perfusion, hypoxia may occur. Hypoxia is a condition in which an inadequate amount of oxygen is available to cells. The most common symptoms of hypoxia are dyspnea (difficulty breathing), an elevated blood pressure with a small pulse pressure, increased respiratory and pulse rates, pallor, and cyanosis.

2. d. When epistaxis is noted with continued suctioning, the nurse should notify the physician and anticipate the need for a nasal trumpet. The nasal trumpet will protect the nasal mucosa from further trauma related to suctioning.

3. a. When a patient vomits upon insertion of an oropharyngeal airway, the nurse should immediately position the patient on his or her side to prevent aspiration, remove the oral airway, and suction the mouth if needed.

4. b. The nurse would base the size of the suctioning catheter on the size of the endotracheal tube. The external diameter of the suction catheter should not exceed half of the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube. Larger catheters can contribute to trauma and hypoxemia.

5. b, c, d. Spirometers are used to monitor the health status of patients with respiratory disorders, such as asthma. Pulse oximetry is used to obtain baseline information about the patient’s oxygen saturation level and is also performed for patients with asthma, along with PEFR to monitor airflow. These three tests may be administered by the nurse. Diffusion capacity estimates the patient’s ability to absorb alveolar gases and determines if a gas exchange problem exists. Maximal respiratory pressures help evaluate neuromuscular causes of respiratory dysfunction. Both tests are usually performed by a respiratory therapist. The physician or other advanced practice professional can perform a thoracentesis at the bedside with the nurse assisting, or in the radiology department.

6. c. Fatigue related to an impaired oxygen transport system is an example of a nursing diagnosis with alteration in oxygenation as the etiology or cause of other problems. Ineffective Airway Clearance, Decreased Cardiac Output and Impaired Gas Exchange are examples of nursing diagnoses indicating alterations in oxygenation as the problem.

7. b, d, e. When caring for patients with COPD, it is important to create an environment that is likely to reduce anxiety and ensure that they eat a high-protein/high-calorie diet. People with dyspnea and orthopnea are most comfortable in a high Fowler’s position because accessory muscles can easily be used to promote respiration. Patients with COPD should pace physical activities and schedule frequent rest periods to conserve energy. Meals should be eaten 1 to 2 hours after breathing treatments and exercises, and drinking 2 to 3 quarts (1.9–2.9 L) of clear fluids daily is recommended.

8. b. For postural drainage, the nurse should place the patient lying on the left side with a pillow under the chest wall to drain the right lobe of the lung, use high Fowler’s position to drain the apical sections of the upper lobes of the lungs, place the patient in a lying position, half on the abdomen and half on the side, right and left, to drain the posterior sections of the upper lobes of the lungs, and place the patient in the Trendelenburg position to drain the lower lobes of the lungs.

9. d, e, f. Common mistakes that patients make when using MDIs include failing to shake the canister, holding the inhaler upside down, inhaling through the nose rather than the mouth, inhaling too rapidly, stopping the inhalation when the cold propellant is felt in the throat, failing to hold their breath after inhalation, and inhaling two sprays with one breath.

10. b. A rate higher than 3 L/min may destroy the hypoxic drive that stimulates respirations in the medulla in a patient with chronic lung disease. Oxygen delivered at low rates does not necessarily have to be humidified, and arterial blood gases are not required at regular intervals to determine the flow rate.

11. c. The tube depth should be maintained at the same level unless otherwise ordered by the physician. If the depth changes, the nurse should remove the tape, adjust the tube to ordered depth, and reapply the tape.

12. a. The cylinder must always be checked before use to ensure that enough oxygen is available for the patient. It is unsafe to use a cylinder that reads 500 psi or less because not enough oxygen remains for a patient transfer. A cylinder that is not secured properly may result in injury to the patient. Oxygen flow is discontinued by turning the valve clockwise until it is tight.

13. d. When a chest tube becomes separated from the drainage device, the nurse should first put on gloves, open a sterile bottle of normal saline or water, and insert the chest tube into the bottle without contaminating the chest tube. This creates a water seal until a new drainage unit can be attached. Then the nurse should assess vital signs and notify the physician.

14. b. With the patient’s head tilted back, jaw pulled forward, and airway cleared, the mask is held tightly over the patient’s nose and mouth. The bag also fits easily over tracheostomy and endotracheal tubes. The operator’s other hand compresses the bag at a rate that approximates normal respiratory rate (e.g., 16–20 breaths/min in adults).

15. a, b, d, e. Close assessment of the patient before, during, and after the procedure is necessary to limit negative effects. Risks include hypoxia, infection, tracheal tissue damage, dysrhythmias, and atelectasis. The nurse should hyperoxygenate the patient before and after suctioning and limit the application of suction to 10 to 20 seconds. The nurse should also take the patient’s pulse frequently to detect potential effects of hypoxia and stimulation of the vagus nerve. Using an appropriate suction pressure (80–150 mm Hg) will help prevent atelectasis related to the use of high negative pressure. Research suggests that insertion of the suction catheter should be limited to a predetermined length (no further than 1 cm past the length of the tracheal or endotracheal tube) to avoid tracheal mucosal damage, including epithelial denudement, loss of cilia, edema, and fibrosis (Roman, 2005).