The client has removed the covering from an ice pack applied to his knee. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Observe the appearance of the skin under the ice pack.
- B. Instruct the client regarding the importance of the covering.
- C. Reapply the covering after filling it with fresh ice.
- D. Ask the client how long the ice pack was applied to the skin.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary action for the nurse is to assess the skin under the ice pack to check for any potential thermal injury. This assessment is crucial to ensure the client's safety. Once the skin assessment is done and no harm is found, the nurse can proceed with other necessary actions such as providing instructions to the client or replacing the covering with fresh ice.
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A client is diagnosed with primary hypertension. Which assessment finding is most commonly associated with this diagnosis?
- A. Headache
- B. Dizziness
- C. Fatigue
- D. Edema
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Headache (A) is the most commonly associated symptom with primary hypertension due to increased pressure in the blood vessels, leading to headaches. While dizziness (B), fatigue (C), and edema (D) may also occur in hypertension, headache is the most frequently reported symptom among individuals with primary hypertension.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which laboratory test result should the nurse monitor to evaluate the client's respiratory function?
- A. Arterial blood gases (ABGs)
- B. Complete blood count (CBC)
- C. Blood glucose levels
- D. Serum electrolyte levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are the most appropriate laboratory test to monitor respiratory function in a client with pneumonia. ABGs provide valuable information on oxygenation status, acid-base balance, and how well the lungs are exchanging gases. This information helps in assessing the effectiveness of ventilation and oxygenation, guiding treatment decisions, and evaluating the overall respiratory status of the client.
The healthcare provider is providing wound care to a client with a stage 3 pressure ulcer that has a large amount of eschar. The wound care prescription states 'clean the wound and then apply collagenase.' Collagenase is a debriding agent. The prescription does not specify a cleaning method. Which technique should the healthcare provider use to cleanse the pressure ulcer?
- A. Lightly coat the wound with povidone-iodine solution
- B. Irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline
- C. Flush the wound with sterile hydrogen peroxide
- D. Remove the eschar with a wet-to-dry dressing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique to cleanse a wound when the prescription does not specify a cleaning method is to irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline. Sterile normal saline is the preferred solution for wound cleaning as it is gentle and does not damage healthy tissues. It helps in removing debris and maintaining a moist environment conducive to healing. Povidone-iodine solution and hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on tissues and delay wound healing. Removing eschar with a wet-to-dry dressing is a mechanical debridement method and should not be done without proper assessment and healthcare provider's order.
A policy requiring the removal of acrylic nails by all nursing personnel was implemented 6 months ago. Which assessment measure best determines if the intended outcome of the policy is being achieved?
- A. Number of staff-induced injuries
- B. Client satisfaction survey
- C. Healthcare-associated infection rate
- D. Rate of needle-stick injuries by nurses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C - Healthcare-associated infection rate. Acrylic nails can harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections. By implementing a policy to remove acrylic nails, the goal is to reduce the infection rate. Monitoring the healthcare-associated infection rate will provide a direct measure of the policy's effectiveness in achieving its intended outcome. This measure is more specific and directly related to the objective of reducing the risk of infections compared to the other choices.
A client with a diagnosis of anemia is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication?
- A. White blood cell count.
- B. Hemoglobin and hematocrit.
- C. Platelet count.
- D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To evaluate the effectiveness of epoetin alfa (Epogen) in treating anemia, the nurse should monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. These values indicate the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which directly relates to the treatment of anemia. White blood cell count (A), platelet count (C), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (D) are not specific indicators of the effectiveness of epoetin alfa in treating anemia.