Author Question: A patient has returned from back surgery. The family has brought in the patient's continuous ... (Read 122 times)

CQXA · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A patient has returned from back surgery. The family has brought in the patient's continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. What is the best rationale for allowing the patient to use the CPAP machine at night?

a. It will keep the patient in deep levels of REM, which will decrease the need for pain medication.
b. It will help decrease hospital noise that will keep the patient awake.
c. The patient needs ventilator support owing to the increased chance of postoperative respiratory complications.
d. The patient needs to follow the same bedtime routine to promote a safe environment for sleep.

Question 2

A student nurse is working on a community health project with her peers. One of the concerns in her community is the rise in homelessness resulting from the economy. The student nurse understands that which of the following is true?

a. Almost all homeless families are made up of single-parent families.
b. Children in homeless families are usually in good health.
c. Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.
d. Children in homeless families have no way to attend school so are illiterate.

leahchrapun · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
These patients need ventilator support in the postoperative period because obstructive sleep apnea is linked to increased postoperative respiratory complications. After surgery the patient achieves very deep levels of REM sleep that lead to muscle relaxation and airway obstruction. In these patients the anesthesia in combination with pain medications used after surgery reduces the patient's defenses against airway obstruction. Make sure that patients use their home CPAP equipment. Use pain medication carefully in these patients. Promoting the home bedtime routine is beneficial, but that is not the primary reason for using the CPAP; it is to prevent complications from surgery.

Answer to Question 2

C
The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with children. This includes complete nuclear families and single-parent families. More than 794,000 homeless are enrolled in the public school systems. Children of homeless families are often in fair or poor health and have higher rates of asthma, ear infections, stomach problems, mental illness, and have poor immunization documentation. As a result, usually the only access to health care for these children is through the emergency department.