Author Question: The nurse is caring for a patient with cor pulmonale. The nurse should monitor the patient for which ... (Read 60 times)

asd123 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is caring for a patient with cor pulmonale. The nurse should monitor the patient for which expected finding?

a. Peripheral edema
b. Elevated temperature
c. Clubbing of the fingers
d. Complaints of chest pain

Question 2

Which finding by the nurse for a patient with a nursing diagnosis of impaired gas exchange will be most useful in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment?

a. Even, unlabored respirations
b. Pulse oximetry reading of 92
c. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
d. Absence of wheezes, rhonchi, or crackles

cloudre37 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Cor pulmonale causes clinical manifestations of right ventricular failure, such as peripheral edema. The other clinical manifestations may occur in the patient with other complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but are not indicators of cor pulmonale.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
For the nursing diagnosis of impaired gas exchange, the best data for evaluation are arterial blood gases (ABGs) or pulse oximetry. The other data may indicate either improvement or impending respiratory failure caused by fatigue.