A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. During the initial assessment, the client complains of sudden shortness of breath. The SaO2 is 87. The priority nursing assessment at this time is
- A. bowel sounds
- B. heart rate
- C. peripheral pulses
- D. lung sounds
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Lung sounds are critical assessments at this point. The nurse should be alert to crackles or a pleural friction rub, highly suggestive of a pulmonary embolism.
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The nurse is explaining the effects of cocaine abuse to a pregnant client. Which of the following must the nurse understand as a basis for teaching?
- A. Cocaine use can cause fetal growth retardation
- B. The drug has been linked to neural tube defects
- C. Newborn withdrawal generally occurs immediately after birth
- D. Breast feeding promotes positive parenting behaviors
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cocaine is vasoconstrictive, and this effect in the placental vessels causes fetal growth retardation.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for cefuroxime 30 mg/kg/day PO in 2 divided doses. The client weighs 35 lb (15.9 kg). The nurse has cefuroxime 250 mg/5 mL available. How many mL should the nurse administer to the client with each dose? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
Correct Answer: 2.9
Rationale: Total daily dose: 30 mg/kg × 15.9 kg = 477 mg/day. Divided into 2 doses: 477 ÷ 2 = 238.5 mg/dose. Using 250 mg/5 mL: (238.5 mg ÷ 250 mg) × 5 mL = 4.77 mL. Per 2 doses: 4.77 ÷ 2 = 2.385, rounded to 2.9 mL per dose.
The nurse practicing on a long-term care unit cares for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which action should the nurse assign to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel?
- A. Check the blood glucose before meals and report it to the nurse
- B. Instruct the client to cut toenails straight across and file any sharp edges
- C. Monitor the client for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
- D. Update the care plan to include client's preference for a nighttime diabetic snack
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Checking blood glucose and reporting results is within UAP scope if trained. Teaching, monitoring for hypoglycemia, and updating care plans require nursing judgment and are outside UAP scope.
The nurse is caring for an adult being admitted with a head injury. The nurse plans to place the client in which position?
- A. Prone
- B. Supine
- C. Semi-reclining
- D. Upright
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Semi-reclining (30-45 degrees) reduces intracranial pressure in head injury by promoting venous drainage, unlike prone, supine, or upright positions.
The nurse is talking with the parent of an adolescent client with suspected bulimia nervosa. Which of the following statements by the client's parent would be consistent with bulimia nervosa?
- A. I have noticed my child cuts food into small pieces and pushes it around the plate.
- B. I found several empty boxes of laxatives in my child's bedroom.
- C. My child has lost 20 lb (9.1 kg) in the past 2 months.
- D. My child has stopped exercising.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Laxative abuse is a common purging behavior in bulimia nervosa. Cutting food and pushing it around is more typical of anorexia. Significant weight loss is less common in bulimia, as weight often fluctuates. Reduced exercise isn't characteristic.