Questions and Answers
After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, which assessment finding does the nurse expect to note for a patient with emphysema and chronic bronchitis?
Which assessment finding should the nurse expect in a 70-year-old patient complaining of epigastric pain due to a duodenal ulcer?
Which statement by a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease indicates a need for more teaching?
What is the PRIORITY intervention for a patient suspected of having a peptic ulcer with lab results indicating hypotension and tachycardia?
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Which lab result for a female patient with atrial fibrillation is critical and should be reported to the physician immediately?
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Study Notes
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis
- Patients with COPD like emphysema and chronic bronchitis exhibit clubbed fingers, indicating chronic oxygen deprivation.
- Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) decreases in COPD patients; hence an increase in FVC is incorrect.
- Patients often present with a 'barrel chest', which reflects a widened chest cavity.
- Risk of cardiac failure is present but not noted as an initial assessment finding.
Duodenal Ulcer
- Melena, or black, tarry stool due to blood, is a common finding in patients with duodenal ulcers.
- Epigastric pain is often associated with duodenal ulcers, but nausea is a non-specific symptom.
- Hernias are unrelated to ulcers and represent a different condition.
- Hyperthermia is not typically linked to duodenal ulcers.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Patients should ideally eat 4-6 small meals per day instead of 2-3 large meals to minimize gastric pressure.
- Remaining upright after meals and elevating the head while sleeping are recommended practices for symptom management.
- Patients should avoid irritants such as tea, coffee, and chocolate to help manage GERD symptoms.
- Weight loss is encouraged for improved health outcomes in individuals with GERD.
Peptic Ulcer Treatment
- In suspected peptic ulcer cases, the priority intervention is to start a large-bore IV to address potential hemorrhaging and provide fluid replacement.
- Asking for a stool sample, preparing an NG tube, or administering pain management via morphine are important but not immediate priorities.
Atrial Fibrillation and Lab Results
- Critical lab result alerting immediate action is potassium of 2.7 mEq/L, indicating potential life-threatening hypokalemia, impacting cardiac function.
- Hemoglobin levels of 11 g/dl suggest anemia but are not the most urgent issue compared to potassium.
- A platelet count of 150,000 is low but not critical, while an INR of 2.5 indicates increased bleeding risk but is manageable in context.
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Description
Test your knowledge on respiratory conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, along with digestive issues like duodenal ulcers and GERD. This quiz covers symptoms, risk factors, and dietary recommendations. Enhance your understanding of these critical health topics.
