Select 5 findings that require further investigation.
- A. unable to lie flat and sleeps in a chair at night
- B. 6-1b (2.7-kg) weight
gain in 1 week - C. increased urinary hesitancy and urgency
- D. SpO2 88% on room air
- E. crackles in bilateral lung
bases;
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: A client with chronic heart failure (HF) who reports worsening fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea, and peripheral edema is likely
experiencing declining oxygenation due to fluid volume overload. Assessment findings that require further investigation
include:
• Orthopnea: Labored breathing in the supine position is a common manifestation in clients with HF due to pulmonary
edema. Clients with orthopnea often sleep on a chair or on propped-up pillows to decrease work of breathing.
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is waking up in the middle of the night with suffocation due to dyspnea, is another
characteristic finding in HF.
• Crackles on auscultation: Crackles are a manifestation of pulmonary edema caused by fluid in the alveoli. Pulmonary
edema is concerning for worsening HF and impaired gas exchange.
• Peripheral edema and rapid weight gain (ie, >5 Ib/week [2.3 kg/week]): These symptoms are concerning for fluid
volume overload
• Hypoxemia: Decreased capillary oxygen saturation (SpO, <95%) is a sign of inadequate gas exchange. This is most
likely related to pulmonary edema from HF exacerbation.
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The nurse is reinforcing home care teaching to the client. Which statement by the client requires the nurse to provide further instruction?
- A. I should ask family members to bring prepared meals to me." (13%)
- B. "I should eat small, frequent meals every 2-3 hours." (16%)
- C. I will avoid drinking fluids with my meals." (30%)
- D. I will eat hot soups to settle my stomach." (38%)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Self-management of hyperemesis gravidarum is an important component of discharge teaching. The goal of home care is to prevent nausea
and vomiting and promote appropriate nutritional intake and weight gain, which can support a healthy pregnancy.
Some triggers for nausea and vomiting include an empty or overly full stomach, strong food odors, and greasy or fatty foods. It is often
recommended that clients eat cold or bland foods due to the increased aromas associated with hot foods. Therefore, the nurse should
provide further teaching to this client who plans to eat hot soup because this may precipitate nausea (Option 4). The nurse can suggest
eating foods such as toast, crackers, nuts, or cold cereal.
Select below the 5 findings that require follow-up.
- A. ibuprofen every 8 hours
- B. smokes marijuana 1 or 2 times weekly
- C. client states feeling lightheaded and reports passing out about 1 hour ago
- D. black, liquid stools
- E. crepitus that is worse on the left;
- F. Vital signs: P 110, BP 90/62; no chest pain;
- G. Abdominal pain rated as 4 on a scale of 0-10; one episode of hematemesis;
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F,G
Rationale: A client with hematemesis and black stools is most likely experiencing an acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. GI bleeding is a
life-threatening condition that can lead to hemorrhagic shock without immediate intervention. The nurse should immediately
follow up on:
• Chronic NSAID use (eg, ibuprofen), a common cause of drug-induced upper GI bleeds that must be discontinued.
• Hypotension and tachycardia, manifestations of hypovolemia. Hypotension occurs with decreased cardiac output, and
tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism to promote maximum perfusion to vital organs. Because this client has a
history of hypertension, even borderline low blood pressure is considered abnormal.
• Syncope (ie, passing out), a clinical finding associated with hypovolemia caused by decreased perfusion to the brain.
• Hematemesis (ie, vomiting blood), indicative of bleeding in the upper GI tract (eg, stomach ulcers, esophageal varices).
• Dark/black and/or tarry stools, most often associated with upper GI bleeding; blood becomes partially digested as it
passes through the Gl tract, resulting in the dark color.
Complete the following sentence/sentences by choosing from the list/lists of options. The nurse should recognize that the client is most likely experiencing--------------as evidenced by------------------
- A. High BMI
- B. Obstructive sleep apnea
- C. A heart failure exacerbation
- D. A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation
- E. Orthopnea
- F. History of smoking
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: The nurse should recognize that the client is most likely experiencing a heart failure (HF) exacerbation, as evidenced by
orthopnea. Orthopnea (ie, labored breathing in the supine position), decreased capillary oxygen saturation, extra heart tones
(eg, S3), bilateral lower extremity edema, >5 lb [2.3 kg] weight gain in 1 week, and adventitious lung sounds (eg, crackles)
indicate fluid overload
The nurse is contributing to the client's plan of care. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is indicated or not indicated for the care of the client.
- A. Administer antiemetic
- B. Insert a nasogastric tube
- C. Place the client on a soft diet
- D. Obtain an abdominal CT scan
- E. Administer a stimulant laxative
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is an intestinal blockage that obstructs the flow of intestinal contents (eg, fluid, gas, fecal
material). The blockage may be due to mechanical (eg, surgical adhesions, hernias, tumors) or nonmechanical/functional (eg,
paralytic ileus) causes. As intestinal contents accumulate, clients develop abdominal distension, colicky abdominal pain,
bilious vomiting, and inability to pass flatus or stool.
Clients with SBO are at risk for fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional imbalances due to decreased intestinal absorption. Clients may
develop bowel necrosis and perforation due to impaired intestinal blood flow, which can lead to peritonitis and sepsis.
The practical nurse should anticipate assisting the registered nurse with the following interventions for a client with SBO:
• Inserting a nasogastric tube for gastrointestinal decompression to reduce abdominal distension and improve intestinal
blood flow
• Administering antiemetics (eg, ondansetron) to prevent further fluid and electrolyte imbalance from vomiting
• Preparing the client for abdominal CT scan to determine the size and location of intestinal obstruction
• Administering IV fluids to improve fluid volume status
In clients with SBO, bowel rest (ie, NPO status) with gastric decompression is prescribed; therefore, a soft diet is not
indicated. Stimulant laxatives increase intestinal motility and are not indicated for clients with intestinal obstruction due to
the risk for bowel perforation.
Which of the following information about the client is important to report to the health care provider? Select all that apply.
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Fetal movement
- C. Nausea and vomiting
- D. Right-sided abdominal pain
- E. Weight change
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: The nurse caring for pregnant clients must distinguish pregnancy-related adaptations and discomforts from potential complications. It is
important to report the following client findings to the health care provider:
• Abnormal vital signs (eg, low blood pressure): Hypotension and tachycardia may be symptoms of hypovolemia due to decreased oral
intake and vomiting (ie, dehydration)
• Severe nausea and vomiting: Although these findings are common discomforts associated with early pregnancy, concern is warranted
if they are persistent; prevent oral intake; and cause significant weight loss, dehydration, and hypovolemia
• Significant weight change (eg, weight loss of 25% of prepregnancy weight): Weight loss is generally not recommended during
pregnancy and may indicate a medical condition (eg, nutritional deficiency). Normal changes in weight during pregnancy include gaining
1-4 Ib (0.5-1.8 kg) during the first trimester and approximately 1 lb (0.5 kg) per week thereafter