The nurse preparing to administer an intermittent tube feeding through a nasogastric (NG) tube assesses for residual volume. How do the resulting data assist in assuring the client's safety?
- A. Confirm proper NG tube placement.
- B. Determine the client's nutritional status.
- C. Evaluate the adequacy of gastric emptying.
- D. Assess the client's fluid and electrolyte status.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All stomach contents are aspirated and measured before administering a tube feeding to determine the gastric residual volume. If the stomach fails to empty and propel its contents forward, the tube feeding accumulates in the stomach and increases the client's risk of aspiration. If the aspirated gastric contents exceed the predetermined limit, the nurse withholds the tube feeding and collaborates with the primary health care provider on a plan of care. Assessing gastric residual volume does not confirm placement or assess fluid and electrolyte status. The nurse uses clinical indicators, including serum albumin levels, to determine the client's nutritional status.
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The client states the need to use three pillows under the head and upper torso at night to be able to breathe comfortably while sleeping. The nurse documents that the client is experiencing which clinical finding?
- A. Orthopnea
- B. Dyspnea at rest
- C. Dyspnea on exertion
- D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dyspnea is a subjective complaint that can range from an awareness of breathing to physical distress and does not necessarily correlate with the degree of heart failure. Dyspnea can be exertional or at rest. Orthopnea is a more severe form of dyspnea, requiring the client to assume a 'three-point' position while upright and use pillows to support the head and upper torso at night. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a severe form of dyspnea occurring suddenly at night because of rapid fluid reentry into the vasculature from the interstitium during sleep.
The nurse performs an assessment on a client newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse expects to note which early manifestations of the disease? Select all that apply.
- A. Fatigue
- B. Anorexia
- C. Weakness
- D. Low-grade fever
- E. Joint deformities
- F. Joint inflammation
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease process that primarily affects the synovial joints. Early manifestations include fatigue, anorexia, weakness, joint inflammation, low-grade fever, and paresthesia. Joint deformities are late manifestations.
The nurse instructs a preoperative client about the proper use of an incentive spirometer. What result should the nurse use to determine that the client is using the incentive spirometer effectively?
- A. Cloudy sputum
- B. Shallow breathing
- C. Unilateral wheezing
- D. Productive coughing
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry helps reduce atelectasis, open airways, stimulate coughing, and help mobilize secretions for expectoration, via vital client participation in recovery. Cloudy sputum, shallow breathing, and wheezing indicate that the incentive spirometry is not effective because they point to infection, counterproductive depth of breathing, and bronchoconstriction, respectively.
A client has developed oral mucositis as a result of radiation to the head and neck. Which measure should the nurse teach the client to incorporate in a daily home care routine to help manage this condition?
- A. A glass of wine per day will introduce useful bacterial to the oral cavity.
- B. High-protein foods such as peanut butter should be incorporated in the diet.
- C. Clean teeth and rinse mouth with a weak saline and water solution before and after each meal.
- D. Oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, should be performed in the morning and evening.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral mucositis (irritation, inflammation, and/or ulceration of the mucosa) also known as stomatitis, commonly occurs in clients receiving radiation to the head and neck. Measures need to be taken to soothe the mucosa and provide effective cleansing of the oral cavity. A combination of a weak saline and water solution is an effective cleansing agent. Oral hygiene should be performed more frequently than in the morning and evening. Alcohol would dry and irritate the mucosa and not affect the oral bacteria. Peanut butter has a thick consistency and will stick to the irritated mucosa.
The nurse monitoring a preterm newborn infant for manifestations of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) should assess the infant for which manifestations? Select all that apply.
- A. Cyanosis
- B. Tachypnea
- C. Retractions
- D. Nasal flaring
- E. Acrocyanosis
- F. Grunting respirations
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: The newborn infant with RDS may present with clinical manifestation of cyanosis, tachypnea or apnea, chest wall retractions, audible grunts, or nasal flaring. Acrocyanosis, the bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, is associated with immature peripheral circulation and is not uncommon in the first few hours of life.