Chapter 33: Care of Patients with Infectious Respiratory Problems

Chapter 33: Care of Patients with Infectious Respiratory Problems

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A client has acute rhinitis. What is the most important intervention for the nurse to perform?

a.	Assess for symptoms of infection.
b.	Ascertain whether the client has allergies.
c.	Question the client on the use of nasal sprays.
d.	Do blood and urine screenings for drug use.

 

 

ANS:  A

Bacterial infection often occurs with acute rhinitis. The nurse should assess for symptoms because treatment may be warranted. It is not essential to assess for allergies or the use of nasal spray, or to determine whether drug use is occurring. All of these interventions are focused on determining a cause for repeated acute rhinitis and are primarily the responsibility of the health care provider. The nurse should focus on client assessment and should determine whether a secondary infection is present.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application/Applying or higher               REF:   N/A

TOP:   Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity (Physiological Adaptation—Pathophysiology)

MSC:  Integrated Process: Nursing Process (Implementation)

 

2. A client has pharyngitis. Which symptom helps the nurse determine whether the infection is bacterial versus viral?

a.	Redness in the back of the throat
b.	Enlarged lymph glands in the neck
c.	Nasal discharge
d.	Skin rash

 

 

ANS:  D

Generally a rash can appear with bacterial pharyngitis, but not with viral. The other symptoms are characteristic of both.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension/Understanding               REF:   Chart 33-2, p. 643

TOP:   Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity (Physiological Adaptation—Pathophysiology)

MSC:  Integrated Process: Nursing Process (Assessment)

 

3. It is suspected that a client has bacterial pharyngitis. What is the best intervention?

a.	Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
b.	Have the client produce a sputum specimen.
c.	Obtain samples for culture and sensitivity.
d.	Assess a rapid antigen test (RAT).

 

 

ANS:  D

A common cause of bacterial pharyngitis is group A streptococcal virus, which can lead to serious complications. Both RATs and culture and sensitivity can diagnose this bacterium; however, with an RAT, the health care provider can obtain results in about 15 minutes, and definitive treatment can begin much sooner. A broad-spectrum antibiotic would not be administered before it was determined whether the infection was bacterial. A sputum specimen is needed for lung infection but not for throat infection.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application/Applying or higher               REF:   N/A

TOP:   Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity (Reduction of Risk Potential—Diagnostic Tests)    MSC:           Integrated Process: Nursing Process (Implementation)

 

4. The nurse is caring for a client with recurrent bacterial pharyngitis. Which is the nurse’s highest priority intervention?

a.	Assess for symptoms of human immune deficiency virus (HIV).
b.	Ask about exposure to allergens.
c.	Perform nasal cultures.
d.	Teach the client about antibiotic therapy.

 

 

ANS:  D

Management of bacterial pharyngitis involves the use of antibiotics and the same supportive care provided for viral pharyngitis. Stress the importance of completing the entire antibiotic prescription, even when symptoms improve or subside. Failure to take all prescribed antibiotics is often the cause of recurrent infections. Although it is important for overall health that the client know his or her HIV status, it is not the highest priority intervention in the treatment plan. Allergens do not cause bacterial infections. Nasal cultures would not be a high priority unless the client had “failed” treatment with more than one antibiotic and was compliant with treatment.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application/Applying or higher               REF:   N/A

TOP:    Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity (Physiological Adaptation—Illness Management) MSC:            Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning