Deck 30: Nursing Care of Patients With Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders

Question 1

The nurse suspects a patient is developing a complication from the flu.What is the most common complication of this virus?

A) Abscess
B) Meningitis
C) Pneumonia
D) Common cold

Answer 1

Pneumonia

Question 2

In addition to antibiotics ordered by the physician,which measure should the nurse recommend for a patient with a sinus infection?

A) Pursed-lip breathing
B) Rest and a room humidifier
C) Coughing and deep breathing
D) Percussion and postural drainage

Answer 2

Rest and a room humidifier

Question 3

During the postoperative period,the nurse teaches a patient recovering from a laryngectomy how to live with a tracheostomy.What should the nurse teach this patient?

A) "Never suction your tracheostomy at home; you could damage your trachea."
B) "You shouldn't feel bad about the tracheostomy. You should feel lucky to be alive."
C) "You will be able to return to your normal activities, including showering and swimming."
D) "Be sure to protect your tracheostomy from pollutants such as powders, hair, and chemicals."

Answer 3

"Be sure to protect your tracheostomy from pollutants such as powders, hair, and chemicals."

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who is having difficulty swallowing.Which term should the nurse use to document this health problem?

A) Aphasia
B) Aphagia
C) Dysphasia
D) Dysphagia

Question 5

A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who has just had nasal surgery.Which patient statement indicates further teaching is needed?

A) "I will drink plenty of fluids."
B) "I can return to my pre-surgery diet."
C) "I will take my pain pills as prescribed."
D) "I will cough and deep breathe every 2 hours."

Question 6

A patient returns to the observation area after outpatient septoplasty for a deviated septum.Which observation should most concern the nurse?

A) The patient swallows frequently.
B) The patient's blood pressure is 136/88 mm Hg.
C) The patient complains of tenderness in the nasal area.
D) The patient's moustache dressing has a 2-centimeter area of blood on it.

Question 7

A patient has a prescription for an adrenergic nasal spray to relieve nasal congestion.Which instruction should the nurse provide about this medication?

A) "Use the spray whenever your nasal passages feel swollen."
B) "Do not use the spray for more than 3 days, or rebound congestion may occur."
C) "Overuse of the spray can cause hypotension; be sure to rise slowly from a sitting position."
D) "Apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the inside of your nose if you experience irritation from the spray."

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a tonsillectomy.What emergency equipment should the nurse place at the bedside for this patient?

A) Suction
B) Irrigation set
C) Sterile hemostats
D) Sterile gauze packing

Question 9

A patient with strep throat asks the nurse why antibiotics are prescribed.What should the nurse respond to this patient's question?

A) "Antibiotics will help you get well sooner."
B) "Antibiotics help reduce difficulty swallowing."
C) "Antibiotics help prevent complications like rheumatic fever."
D) "Strep throat causes high fevers that can cause neurological damage."

Question 10

A patient asks why the physician would not prescribe antibiotics for influenza.How should the nurse respond?

A) "Antibiotics are not effective against viruses."
B) "Antibiotics have too many serious side effects."
C) "Antibiotics can interact with other medications used for the flu."
D) "Most cases of the flu are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria."

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a laryngectomy.Which nursing action is most important for this patient?

A) Maintain a patent airway.
B) Control postoperative pain.
C) Keep the head of the bed elevated.
D) Assess the patient's acceptance of the laryngectomy.

Question 12

The nurse is preparing to collect data from a patient with a sinus infection.Which symptoms should the nurse expect the patient to demonstrate?

A) Chest pain
B) Hypoxemia
C) Photophobia
D) Facial tenderness

Question 13

A patient comes into the emergency department with epistaxis.The physician orders that all home medications be continued.Which medication should the nurse question?

A) Ibuprofen (Motrin)
B) Furosemide (Lasix)
C) Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D) Montelukast sodium (Singulair)

Question 14

The family of a patient awaiting a laryngectomy asks how the patient will communicate.Which explanation made by the nurse is correct?

A) "A plug can be placed into the stoma to talk."
B) "A special valve that diverts air into the trachea allows patients to talk."
C) "Patients can be taught to swallow air and talk as air is let out of the esophagus."
D) "I'm sorry, but unfortunately, patients with laryngectomies cannot communicate."

Question 15

The nurse instructs a patient with a nosebleed to sit up and lean slightly forward.Why did the nurse teach the patient to use this posture?

A) To prevent dizziness or syncope
B) To reduce bleeding from the anterior plexus
C) To help prevent symptoms of shock due to blood loss
D) To prevent unseen blood from being swallowed or aspirated

Question 16

A patient with epistaxis is positioned sitting up and slightly forward.What action should the nurse take next??

A) Administer oral aspirin.
B) Place warm packs on the nose.
C) Apply ice to the nose and eye area.
D) Irrigate the nasal passages with sterile saline.

Question 17

While caring for a patient with a new laryngectomy,the nurse is asked by the family why the patient cannot be given higher doses of narcotics.Which response by the nurse is best?

A) "Narcotics are constipating."
B) "Narcotics can be addicting."
C) "Narcotics can increase respiratory tract secretions."
D) "Narcotics can depress the respiratory rate and cough reflex."

Question 18

A patient is diagnosed with sinusitis.How should the nurse explain this health problem to the patient?

A) Inflammation of the carotid sinus
B) Inflammation of the bony structure of the sinuses
C) Inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and nasal passages
D) Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the sinus cavities

Question 19

The nurse is reviewing the medical histories for a group of assigned patients.Which patient is at the greatest risk for cancer of the larynx?

A) A female patient with a history of breast cancer
B) A male patient with a history of alcohol and tobacco use
C) A male patient with a history of repeated episodes of pneumonia
D) A female patient with a history of repeated strep throat infections

Question 20

The nurse is admitting a patient being evaluated for suspected cancer of the larynx.Which assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?

A) Wheezing
B) A hoarse voice
C) Coarse crackles
D) A noticeable lump in the neck

Question 21

The nurse is concerned that a patient with a fever caused by a bacterial sinus infection is experiencing dehydration.What did the nurse assess in this patient to come to this conclusion? (Select all that apply.)

A) Thirst
B) Weakness
C) Low blood pressure
D) Full bounding pulses
E) Dry mucous membranes

Question 22

A patient asks the nurse to explain the difference between the flu and viral rhinitis.What should the nurse include when responding to this question? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Sore throat is more common with a cold than with the flu."
B) "Muscle aches are common and can be severe with influenza."
C) "Antibiotics may be given for either, so it is important to see your doctor."
D) "A runny nose is very common with a cold but not as common with the flu."
E) "Individuals with influenza don't have much chest pain, but it is common with a cold."
F) "Symptoms of a cold usually have a slow onset, but influenza symptoms often appear more suddenly."

Question 23

The nurse identifies the diagnosis of risk for ineffective airway clearance related to excessive secretions for a patient with an upper airway disorder.Which goal is most appropriate for this health problem?

A) Patient will have no cough.
B) Patient will maintain a clear airway.
C) Patient's sputum will be clear or white.
D) Patient will have a normal breathing pattern.

Question 24

A patient with a stuffy head is experiencing pain behind and between the eyes.Which sinus area should the nurse identify as causing this patient's health problem?

A) Frontal
B) Ethmoid
C) Maxillary
D) Mandibular

Question 25

A patient awaiting the results of a throat culture is experiencing a severe sore throat.What should the nurse suggest to the patient to ease the throat pain? (Select all that apply.)

A) Use throat lozenges.
B) Gargle with saltwater.
C) Sip on ice cold fluids.
D) Gargle with honey and lemon.
E) Spray with a topical analgesic.

Question 26

The nurse is preparing to discharge a patient recovering from a laryngectomy.Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to suggest home care for this patient?

A) The patient has used home oxygen in the past.
B) The patient lives in an apartment with a friend.
C) The patient has a history of migraine headaches.
D) The patient has a history of noncompliance with medications.

Question 27

A patient is demonstrating signs of pharyngitis.What should the nurse expect to assess in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

A) Headache
B) Dysphagia
C) Sore throat
D) Extreme thirst
E) Exudate in the throat

Question 28

A patient sees an HCP for symptoms of viral rhinitis.Which treatments should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient? (Select all that apply.)

A) Rest
B) Fluids
C) Steroids
D) Decongestants
E) Bronchodilators
F) Antibacterial agents

Question 29

A nurse is providing care for a patient admitted with a temperature of 101.3°F,pulse 98 beats per minute,34 respirations per minute,and blood pressure 106/54 mm Hg.The patient reports chills,nausea,vomiting,diarrhea,and weakness for the past 2 days.Which health care provider (HCP)orders should the nurse complete first?

A) Encourage oral fluids.
B) Provide oxygen 2 L per nasal cannula.
C) Administer Tylenol 650 mg by mouth.
D) Initiate intravenous (IV) fluids at 80 mL per hour.

Question 30

A nurse is teaching a patient how to avoid contracting influenza and secondary bacterial infection.Which measures should be included in the instruction? (Select all that apply.)

A) Good hand washing
B) Influenza vaccination
C) Prophylactic antibiotics
D) Increased intake of vitamin B
E) Avoiding crowds during flu season
F) Avoiding sharing of eating or drinking utensils

Question 31

The mother of three school-age children asks the nurse what can be done to prevent the spread of a cold between all of the children at the same time.What should the nurse instruct this mother? (Select all that apply.)

A) Wash hands repeatedly throughout the day.
B) Wash all bed linen and hot water once a week.
C) Avoid sharing eating utensils and drinking cups.
D) Limit participation in sports during the winter months.
E) Cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Question 32

For a patient recovering from a tonsillectomy,the physician has ordered an IV normal saline solution at 100 mL per hour.The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15.The nurse should infuse the IV at ____________________ drops per minute.

Question 33

A patient is being discharged after nasal surgery.Which should be included in the nurse's instructions for this patient? (Select all that apply.)

A) Take aspirin for pain.
B) Apply warm compresses to the face.
C) Drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise ordered.
D) Use a cool mist humidifier to prevent nasal drying.
E) Blow your nose frequently to relieve any congestion.
F) Keep head elevated when sleeping, either using two pillows or sleeping in a recliner chair.

Question 34

A patient is diagnosed with nasal polyps.For which additional health problems should the nurse assess this patient? (Select all that apply.)

A) Asthma
B) Chronic sinusitis
C) Allergy to aspirin
D) Chronic bronchitis
E) Allergy to pet dander