A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed ...

[lak]

A patient with acute dyspnea is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan. Which information obtained by the nurse is a priority to communicate to the health care provider before the CT?
 
  a. Allergy to shellfish
  b. Apical pulse of 104
  c. Respiratory rate of 30
  d. Oxygen saturation of 90

Question 2

A patient is admitted to the emergency department complaining of sudden onset shortness of breath and is diagnosed with a possible pulmonary embolus. How should the nurse prepare the patient for diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
 
  a. Start an IV so contrast media may be given.
  b. Ensure that the patient has been NPO for at least 6 hours.
  c. Inform radiology that radioactive glucose preparation is needed.
  d. Instruct the patient to undress to the waist and remove any metal objects.

[robbielu01]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Because iodine-based contrast media is used during a spiral CT, the patient may need to have the CT scan without contrast or be premedicated before injection of the contrast media. The increased pulse, low oxygen saturation, and tachypnea all indicate a need for further assessment or intervention but do not indicate a need to modify the CT procedure.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans are the most commonly used test to diagnose pulmonary emboli, and contrast media may be given IV. A chest x-ray may be ordered but will not be diagnostic for a pulmonary embolus. Preparation for a chest x-ray includes undressing and removing any metal. Bronchoscopy is used to detect changes in the bronchial tree, not to assess for vascular changes, and the patient should be NPO 6 to 12 hours before the procedure. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are most useful in determining the presence of malignancy, and a radioactive glucose preparation is used.

[lak]

Excellent

[rachel]

Gracias!