Ambulatory Care Nursing Flashcards
6 cards from real Ambulatory Care Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Ambulatory Care Nursing flashcards as text
Giving rapid relief therapy for the following is a patient with asthma's top priority in terms of self-management:
Answer: Bronchospasm
Asthma is primarily characterized by bronchospasm, which is the constriction of the smooth muscles in the airways, leading to their narrowing. Rapid relief therapy, such as a rescue inhaler, directly targets and reverses this bronchospasm to open the airways and alleviate acute symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. While wheezing is a symptom, bronchospasm is the underlying physiological mechanism that the medication aims to correct.
When the ambulatory care nurse says: "During a patient's office visit, the ambulatory care nurse exhibits an understanding of the components involved in getting an accurate medication reconciliation."
Answer: "Natural products may interact with other drugs."
Medication reconciliation is a critical safety process that involves creating the most accurate list possible of all medications a patient is taking. The nurse demonstrates understanding by recognizing that natural products and herbal supplements can have significant pharmacological effects and interact dangerously with prescribed medications. Including them in the reconciliation helps prevent adverse drug events and ensures comprehensive patient safety.
A 20-year-old patient phones the office to complain about a buddy who has been consuming alcohol excessively all day. First, the ambulatory care nurse assesses the buddy to see if:
Answer: Exhibiting labored breathing
When assessing someone who has consumed excessive alcohol, the most immediate and life-threatening concern is respiratory depression. Labored breathing, or any difficulty breathing, indicates that the person's respiratory system may be compromised due to alcohol's depressant effects on the central nervous system. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention, as it can quickly lead to respiratory arrest and death.
Using protocol during telephone triage has the following advantages:
Answer: Enhance decision making.
Using protocols during telephone triage provides a standardized, evidence-based framework for nurses to follow when assessing patient symptoms and recommending appropriate care. This structured approach helps ensure consistency, reduces variability, and guides the nurse through a logical decision-making process. By following established protocols, nurses can more accurately identify urgent conditions and make informed decisions about the level and timing of care needed.
A sebaceous cyst is excised from a patient. The patient receives detailed written and verbal instructions from the ambulatory care nurse about how to care for their wounds, how to recognize infection symptoms, and when to return for suture removal. The nurse exhibits competence in this patient's post-procedure follow-up by:
Answer: Calling the patient, according to facility policy, to evaluate his or her condition.
Post-procedure follow-up is essential for patient safety and positive outcomes. Calling the patient to evaluate their condition demonstrates proactive patient care and allows the nurse to assess wound healing, identify any signs of infection or complications early, and reinforce discharge instructions. This direct communication ensures the patient is recovering well and provides an opportunity to address any questions or concerns, aligning with best practices for comprehensive post-operative care.
Within the context of home health care, the following are the nurse case management's main responsibilities:
Answer: Provide continuity of care.
In home health care, nurse case management's primary responsibility is to ensure continuity of care. This involves coordinating all aspects of the patient's care, including communication between different healthcare providers, managing appointments, ensuring medication adherence, and facilitating transitions between care settings. By providing continuity, the case manager helps prevent fragmented care, improves patient outcomes, and ensures consistent, well-coordinated support in the home environment.