Two days after an abdominal hysterectomy, an elderly female with diabetes has a syncopal episode. The nurse determines that her vital signs are within normal limits, but her blood sugar is 325 mg/dL or 18.04 mmol/L (SI). What intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer regular insulin per sliding scale
- B. Cancel the client's dinner tray
- C. Give the client 4 ounces (120 mL) of orange juice
- D. Administer the next scheduled dose of metformin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this case, the nurse should implement the intervention of administering regular insulin per sliding scale. High blood sugar levels, as indicated by a reading of 325 mg/dL, require insulin administration to prevent complications such as hyperglycemia. Canceling the client's dinner tray (choice B) would not address the immediate need to lower the blood sugar level. Giving the client orange juice (choice C) might further increase the blood sugar level as it contains sugar. Administering the next scheduled dose of metformin (choice D) is not appropriate as metformin is not typically used for acute management of high blood sugar levels.
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When assessing a client several hours after surgery, the nurse observes that the client grimaces and guards the incision while moving in bed. The client is diaphoretic, has a radial pulse rate of 110 beats/min, and a respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min. What assessment should the nurse perform first?
- A. Apical heart rate
- B. IV site and fluids
- C. Pain scale
- D. Temperature
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client's grimacing and guarding suggest pain; assessing the pain scale is crucial for addressing the discomfort. Pain management is a priority to ensure the client's well-being and comfort. Checking the apical heart rate, IV site and fluids, or temperature can be important but addressing the client's pain takes precedence in this scenario. The elevated pulse rate and respiratory rate could be indicative of pain, making the pain scale assessment essential to guide appropriate interventions.
A client in the intensive care unit is being mechanically ventilated, has an indwelling urinary catheter in place, and is exhibiting signs of restlessness. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Review the heart rhythm on cardiac monitors
- B. Check urinary catheter for obstruction
- C. Auscultate bilateral breath sounds
- D. Give PRN dose of lorazepam (Ativan)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a client in the intensive care unit is mechanically ventilated, has an indwelling urinary catheter, and is restless, the priority action is to check the urinary catheter for obstruction. Restlessness in this context could be due to a blocked catheter causing discomfort or urinary retention, which needs immediate attention to prevent complications. Reviewing the heart rhythm on cardiac monitors can be important but is not the priority in this scenario. Auscultating bilateral breath sounds is also important in a ventilated client but addressing the potential immediate issue of a blocked catheter takes precedence. Giving a PRN dose of lorazepam should not be the first action without addressing the underlying cause of restlessness.
In what order should the unit manager implement interventions to address the UAP's behavior after they leave the unit without notifying the staff?
- A. Note date and time of the behavior.
- B. Discuss the issue privately with the UAP.
- C. Plan for scheduled break times.
- D. Evaluate the UAP for signs of improvement.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct order for the unit manager to implement interventions to address the UAP's behavior is to first note the date and time of the behavior. Proper documentation is crucial as it provides a factual record of the incident. This documentation can be used to address the behavior effectively and to track any patterns or improvements in the future. Discussing the issue with the UAP privately (choice B) should come after documenting the behavior. Planning for scheduled break times (choice C) is unrelated to the situation described and does not address the UAP's behavior of leaving without notifying the staff. Evaluating the UAP for signs of improvement (choice D) can only be done effectively after the behavior has been addressed and interventions have been implemented.
A female client with fibromyalgia asks the nurse to arrange for hospice care to help her manage the severe, chronic pain. Which interdisciplinary team member should the nurse consult to assist the client?
- A. Contact a hospice nurse for an evaluation
- B. Arrange an appointment with a pain specialist
- C. Ask for a consultation with a psychologist
- D. Form an interdisciplinary team for evaluation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate interdisciplinary team member for the nurse to consult is a hospice nurse. Hospice nurses specialize in managing pain and symptom control, which aligns with the client's needs for managing severe chronic pain. While pain specialists (choice B) focus on pain management, in this case, the client specifically requested hospice care for pain management. Consulting a psychologist (choice C) may be beneficial for addressing psychological aspects, but the client's immediate need is pain management. Forming an interdisciplinary team (choice D) is not as specific as consulting a hospice nurse, who has the specialized skills required to address the client's pain effectively.
The nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant who had a pylorotomy yesterday. This child should be medicated for pain based on which finding?
- A. Restlessness
- B. Clenched Fist
- C. Increased pulse rate
- D. Increased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In infants, restlessness can be a significant indicator of discomfort or pain, necessitating appropriate pain management. While choices B, C, and D can also be associated with pain, restlessness is a more general and reliable indicator in this scenario. A clenched fist might indicate pain or distress, but it is not as specific as restlessness in assessing pain in infants. Increased pulse rate and respiratory rate can be influenced by various factors other than pain, making them less reliable indicators of pain in this context.