A Postoperative Patient with a Nasogastric Tube Connected to Low

question 8

Multiple Choice

A postoperative patient with a nasogastric tube connected to low, intermittent suction is complaining of anxiety and severe incisional pain. The patient has a respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute. The arterial blood gases (ABG) are pH 7.50, PaO₂ 90 mm Hg, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, and HCO₃ 23 mm Hg. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

• A) Disconnect the nasogastric tube until the pH is within the normal range.
• B) Administer the prescribed sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq intravenously.
• C) Teach the patient about the importance of taking slow, deep breaths.
• D) Give the patient the ordered morphine sulfate 4 mg intravenously.

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Definitions:

Affective Forecasting

The process of predicting one's emotional state in future circumstances.

Anxiety

This is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

Risk-as-feelings Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that people's decision-making is influenced by their emotional responses to the possibility of negative outcomes.

Gut Reactions

Instantaneous responses we have to a situation or stimulus, not based on rational analysis but on our innate, visceral feelings.