A client with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) is receiving a beta-blocker medication. What is the most important outcome for the nurse to monitor?
- A. Heart rate and blood pressure
- B. Blood glucose levels
- C. Respiratory rate
- D. Liver function tests
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart rate and blood pressure. When a client with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) is on a beta-blocker medication, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure is crucial. Beta-blockers lower heart rate and blood pressure, so monitoring these parameters helps assess the medication's effectiveness and prevent complications like bradycardia or hypotension. Choices B, C, and D are not the most important outcomes to monitor in this scenario. Blood glucose levels are typically monitored in clients with diabetes or when using medications that affect glucose levels. Respiratory rate is important in assessing respiratory function and oxygenation, while liver function tests are more relevant when monitoring the impact of medications on liver health.
You may also like to solve these questions
What explanation is best for the nurse to provide a client who asks the purpose of using the log-rolling technique for turning?
- A. Working together can decrease the risk of back injury.
- B. The technique is intended to maintain straight spinal alignment.
- C. Using two or three people increases client safety.
- D. Turning instead of pulling reduces the likelihood of skin damage.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'The technique is intended to maintain straight spinal alignment.' Log-rolling is a technique used to move a person as a single unit to maintain the alignment of the spinal column. This is crucial to prevent spinal cord injury, especially in clients with suspected spine fractures. Choice A is incorrect because log-rolling focuses on spinal alignment, not just decreasing back injury risks. Choice C is incorrect because the number of people involved is not the primary purpose of log-rolling, which is maintaining spinal alignment. Choice D is incorrect because while turning instead of pulling may help prevent skin damage, the primary goal of log-rolling is to protect the spine, not the skin.
While assessing an older client's fall risk, the client tells the nurse that they live at home alone and have never fallen. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Place the client on a high fall risk protocol solely based on their age
- B. Continue to obtain the client data needed to complete the fall risk survey
- C. Inform the client about falls occurring more often at the hospital than at home
- D. Record a minimal risk for falls based on the client's statement alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse in this scenario is to continue obtaining client data to complete the fall risk survey. This approach will help in conducting a comprehensive assessment of the client's risk factors. Placing the client on a high fall risk protocol solely based on age without a thorough assessment is premature and can lead to unnecessary interventions. Informing the client about falls in the hospital does not address the client's individual risk factors and is not relevant to the current assessment. Recording a minimal risk for falls based only on the client's statement may overlook other potential risk factors that need to be evaluated.
The nurse is completing a neurological assessment on a client with a closed head injury. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 13 on admission. It is now assessed at 6. What is the priority nursing intervention based on the client's current GCS?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider of the GCS score
- B. Prepare the family for the client's imminent death
- C. Monitor the client q1 hour for changes in the GCS score
- D. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A significant drop in GCS indicates a severe decline in neurological status, necessitating immediate communication with the healthcare provider. Notifying the healthcare provider allows for prompt evaluation and intervention to address the worsening condition. Choice B is incorrect because preparing the family for imminent death is premature and not supported by the information provided. Choice C is incorrect as the frequency of monitoring should be increased to every 15 minutes rather than every hour due to the significant drop in GCS. Choice D is incorrect because initiating CPR is not indicated based solely on a decreased GCS score.
The healthcare provider explains through an interpreter the risks and benefits of a scheduled surgical procedure to a non-English speaking female client. The client gives verbal consent, and the healthcare provider leaves, instructing the nurse to witness the signature on the consent form. The client and interpreter then speak together in the foreign language for an additional 2 minutes until the interpreter concludes, 'She says it is OK.' What action should the nurse take next?
- A. Clarify the client's consent through the use of gestures and simple terms
- B. Have the interpreter co-sign the consent to validate the client's understanding
- C. Ask for a full explanation from the interpreter of the witnessed discussion
- D. Have the client sign the consent form and the nurse witness the signature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Having the interpreter co-sign the consent form is the most appropriate action in this scenario. By having the interpreter co-sign, it ensures an additional layer of verification of the client's understanding and consent, which is crucial when language barriers exist. This step adds a level of confirmation to safeguard that the client's consent is both valid and well-informed. Option A is not sufficient as gestures and simple terms may not fully clarify the client's understanding, especially for complex medical procedures. Option C is unnecessary since the interpreter has already confirmed the client's consent. Option D does not involve the interpreter in validating the client's understanding, which is essential in this situation to ensure effective communication and comprehension between the client and the healthcare team.
An older client is having photocoagulation for macular degeneration. What intervention should the nurse implement during post-procedure care in the outpatient surgical unit?
- A. Apply bilateral eye patches while sleeping
- B. Use a whiteboard to communicate with the client
- C. Arrange food on the plate in a clockwise order
- D. Verbally identify oneself when entering the room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct intervention is to apply bilateral eye patches while sleeping. This measure helps protect the eyes and support healing following photocoagulation for macular degeneration. Choice B is incorrect as using a whiteboard is not directly related to post-procedure care for this intervention. Choice C is incorrect as arranging food on the plate in a clockwise order is not relevant to the post-procedure care of photocoagulation. Choice D is incorrect as verbally identifying oneself when entering the room is important for communication but not specific to the post-procedure care in this scenario.