Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
NUR 2712C Exam Questions &
Answers (Grade A+)
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and
acute kidney injury has the following medications ordered.
Which medication should the nurse discuss with the health care
provider before giving?
a. Pantoprazole (Protonix) 40 mg IV
b. Gentamicin (Garamycin) 60 mg IV
c. Sucralfate (Carafate) 1 g per nasogastric tube
d. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 60 mg IV -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
Gentamicin, which is one of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, is
potentially nephrotoxic, and the nurse should clarify the drug and
dosage with the health care provider before administration.
The other medications are appropriate for the patient with ARDS.
A patient develops increasing dyspnea and hypoxemia 2 days after
heart surgery.
,Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
NUR 2712C Exam Questions &
Answers (Grade A+)
To determine whether the patient has acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) or pulmonary edema caused by heart failure, the
nurse will plan to assist with
a. obtaining a ventilation-perfusion scan.
b. drawing blood for arterial blood gases.
c. insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter.
d. positioning the patient for a chest x-ray. -
correct answer ✅ANS: C
Pulmonary artery wedge pressures are normal in the patient with
ARDS because the fluid in the alveoli is caused by increased
permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane rather than by the
backup of fluid from the lungs (as occurs in cardiogenic pulmonary
edema.
The other tests will not help in differentiating cardiogenic from
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
NUR 2712C Exam Questions &
Answers (Grade A+)
A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS who is being treated with
mechanical ventilation and high levels of positive end-expiratory
pressure (PEEP).
Which assessment finding by the nurse indicates that the PEEP may
need to be reduced?
a. The patients PaOz is 50 mm Hg and the SaOz is 88%.
b. The patient has subcutaneous emphysema on the upper thorax.
c. The patient has bronchial breath sounds in both the lung fields.
d. The patient has a first-degree atrioventricular heart block with a
rate of 58. -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
The subcutaneous emphysema indicates barotrauma caused by
positive pressure ventilation and PEEP.
Bradycardia, hypoxemia, and bronchial breath sounds are all
concerns and will need to be addressed, but they are not specific
indications that PEEP should be reduced.
NUR 2712C Exam Questions &
Answers (Grade A+)
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and
acute kidney injury has the following medications ordered.
Which medication should the nurse discuss with the health care
provider before giving?
a. Pantoprazole (Protonix) 40 mg IV
b. Gentamicin (Garamycin) 60 mg IV
c. Sucralfate (Carafate) 1 g per nasogastric tube
d. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 60 mg IV -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
Gentamicin, which is one of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, is
potentially nephrotoxic, and the nurse should clarify the drug and
dosage with the health care provider before administration.
The other medications are appropriate for the patient with ARDS.
A patient develops increasing dyspnea and hypoxemia 2 days after
heart surgery.
,Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
NUR 2712C Exam Questions &
Answers (Grade A+)
To determine whether the patient has acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) or pulmonary edema caused by heart failure, the
nurse will plan to assist with
a. obtaining a ventilation-perfusion scan.
b. drawing blood for arterial blood gases.
c. insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter.
d. positioning the patient for a chest x-ray. -
correct answer ✅ANS: C
Pulmonary artery wedge pressures are normal in the patient with
ARDS because the fluid in the alveoli is caused by increased
permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane rather than by the
backup of fluid from the lungs (as occurs in cardiogenic pulmonary
edema.
The other tests will not help in differentiating cardiogenic from
noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
NUR 2712C Exam Questions &
Answers (Grade A+)
A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS who is being treated with
mechanical ventilation and high levels of positive end-expiratory
pressure (PEEP).
Which assessment finding by the nurse indicates that the PEEP may
need to be reduced?
a. The patients PaOz is 50 mm Hg and the SaOz is 88%.
b. The patient has subcutaneous emphysema on the upper thorax.
c. The patient has bronchial breath sounds in both the lung fields.
d. The patient has a first-degree atrioventricular heart block with a
rate of 58. -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
The subcutaneous emphysema indicates barotrauma caused by
positive pressure ventilation and PEEP.
Bradycardia, hypoxemia, and bronchial breath sounds are all
concerns and will need to be addressed, but they are not specific
indications that PEEP should be reduced.
