Author Question: A patient being mechanically ventilated is diagnosed with barotrauma. Which assessment findings ... (Read 84 times)

jman1234 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient being mechanically ventilated is diagnosed with barotrauma. Which assessment findings would lead the nurse to determine that the patient is experiencing subcutaneous emphysema?

Select all that apply.

1. blood-tinged sputum
2. swollen neck and face
3. reduced breath sounds
4. sudden reduction of heart sounds
5. crackling sound upon palpation of the skin of the upper chest

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient intubated for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which medications should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

: Select all that apply.

1. surfactant
2. antibiotics
3. nitrous oxide
4. anticoagulants
5. cardiac glycosides

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

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2, 5
Subcutaneous emphysema, or air in the subcutaneous tissue, causes tissue swelling of the chest, neck, and face. A crackling or air-bubble-popping sensation is felt on palpation of subcutaneous emphysema. Subcutaneous emphysema does not cause blood-tinged sputum or affect breath or heart sounds.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 3
Although there is no definitive drug therapy for ARDS, a number of medications may be used. Inhaled nitric oxide reduces intrapulmonary shunting and improves oxygenation by dilating blood vessels in better-ventilated areas of the lungs. Surfactant therapy may be prescribed. Surfactant reduces the surface tension within the alveoli, helps maintain open alveoli, reduces the work of breathing, improves compliance and gas exchange, and prevents atelectasis. Antibiotics, anticoagulants, and cardiac glycosides are not indicated in the treatment of ARDS.