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A patient with a lung mass found on chest x-ray is undergoing further testing. The nurse explains that a definitive diagnosis of lung cancer would need to be confirmed using which diagnostic test? 

When treating a patient for pain, you see an order for a low dose of morphine. What is wrong with this order?    For patient Jim Halpert: Give IV morphine 0.5-1 mg as needed, for moderate to severe pain. 

A patient admitted with COPD exacerbation is complaining of increased dyspnea and severe chest pain with ipsilateral (same side) absent breath sounds. The nurse suspects a spontaneous pneumothorax due to ruptured blebs. When they call the provider, the nurse knows which diagnostic tool will be ordered for a suspected pneumothorax? 

The nurse knows multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) may be occurring when which of the following is true?

A nurse is reviewing a patient’s asthma treatment plan based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. The nurse is aware that GINA guidelines emphasize the importance of “stepping up” or “stepping down” medications to manage asthma effectively. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate when an asthma patient’s symptoms are well-controlled and there have been no recent exacerbations for at least 3 months?

When assessing a patient in shock, the nurse recognizes that the hemodynamics of shock include which of the following?

A pulmonary embolus is suspected in a patient with a deep vein thrombosis who develops dyspnea, tachycardia, and chest pain. Which diagnostic test would the nurse expect? 

The patient has had COPD for years, and ABGs usually show hypoxemia (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg or SaO2 < 88%) and hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg). Which ABG results show movement toward respiratory acidosis and worsening hypoxemia indicating respiratory failure?

This question is optional. No points deducted for leaving it blank. No points deducted for answering it wrong. Bonus points awarded (up to 5 points) for answering it correctly. Partial credit is given for a partially correct answer.   A patient receiving pharmacological treatment for a pulmonary embolism is on strict fall precautions that include having a bed alarm, a chair alarm, nonskid footwear, orthostatic vital signs daily, one person with them at all times when ambulating, and never being left alone in the bathroom.   Why are nurses more concerned with this patient falling than they are about other patients falling (1 point)? Explain your answer (additional 4 points).

A patient with chronic hepatic disease complains of mild dyspnea, an occasional sharp, non-radiating chest pain, and is unable to ambulate without oxygen therapy to maintain SpO2 >92%. These are all new changes from baseline. The nurse auscultates decreased breath sounds over all lobes. Due to the decreased oncotic pressure that occurs when the liver is unable to make proteins, the nurse understands a chest x-ray and CT scan will be needed to check for what condition?