A patient with a tracheostomy suddenly develops increased work of breathing, absent air movement through the tube and no visible secretion. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct answer: A. Call for emergency assistance and assess airway patency
- A. Call for emergency assistance and assess airway patency
- B. Offer oral fluids to loosen the obstruction
- C. Place a speaking valve over the tracheostomy
- D. Remove the oxygen source from the bedside
Explanation
Absent airflow with respiratory distress suggests a potentially blocked or displaced tracheostomy and is an airway emergency. The nurse should call for help and immediately assess and support airway patency rather than giving oral fluids or applying a valve.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care
Airway care includes positioning, suctioning, coughing and deep-breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, oxygen delivery devices and humidification. Questions address indications, flow rates, safety precautions and monitoring for hypoxia or oxygen toxicity, while distinguishing nasal cannula, simple mask, non-rebreather mask and Venturi mask use.
Practise Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care
50 free Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Fundamentals of Nursing questions like this
Fundamentals of Nursing is on 9 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Oxygen Therapy and Airway Care questions
A postoperative patient has shallow breathing because of incisional pain and is at risk for atelectasis. Which nursing action best supports lung expansion?
Which patient statement shows correct understanding of oxygen therapy safety?
A patient receiving oxygen has a petroleum-based ointment on the lips and around the nostrils. Which action should the nurse take?
A patient is learning controlled coughing to clear respiratory secretions. Which technique should the nurse teach?
Which airway adjunct is most appropriate for an unconscious adult who has no gag reflex and needs the tongue kept away from the posterior pharynx?
A patient has severe pneumonia in the left lung and is breathing spontaneously. Which position usually improves oxygenation by allowing the healthier lung to receive more blood flow?