A 10-year-old who has terminal brain cancer asks the nurse, 'What will happen to my body when I die?' How should the nurse respond?
- A. Your mother and father will be here soon. Talk to them about that.'
- B. Why do you want to know about what will happen to your body when you die?'
- C. The heart will stop beating and you will stop breathing.'
- D. Are you concerned about where your spirit will go?'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response when a terminally ill child asks about what will happen to their body when they die is to provide a truthful and straightforward answer. Choice C, 'The heart will stop beating and you will stop breathing,' is the best response because it offers a simple and honest explanation without delving into spiritual or emotional aspects that may be confusing or distressing to the child. Choices A and D deflect the question and do not address the child's inquiry directly. Choice B, 'Why do you want to know about what will happen to your body when you die?' may come across as dismissive or evasive, rather than providing the clear information the child is seeking.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who is receiving erythropoietin therapy. Which clinical finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Increased fatigue
- B. Elevated blood pressure
- C. Headache
- D. Elevated hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, 'Increased fatigue.' In a client with CKD receiving erythropoietin therapy, increased fatigue can be a sign of polycythemia, a condition characterized by an elevated red blood cell count. This can lead to increased blood viscosity and raise the risk of thromboembolic events, necessitating immediate intervention. Elevated blood pressure (choice B) is a common concern in CKD but does not require immediate intervention in this context. Headache (choice C) may be related to elevated blood pressure but is not the most critical finding requiring immediate attention. Elevated hemoglobin (choice D) is an expected outcome of erythropoietin therapy and does not require immediate intervention unless excessively high.
A client with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which assessment finding should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
- B. Heart rate of 80 beats per minute
- C. Fever of 100.4°F
- D. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A fever of 100.4°F is most concerning in a client with ESRD scheduled for hemodialysis as it may indicate an underlying infection, which can lead to serious complications in this population. Elevated body temperature can be a sign of sepsis, which requires immediate attention to prevent further deterioration. Reporting this finding promptly allows for timely intervention. Choices A, B, and D are within normal ranges and do not pose an immediate threat to the client's well-being in the context of preparing for hemodialysis.
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is scheduled for a hemodialysis session. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
- A. Serum potassium
- B. Serum creatinine
- C. Serum sodium
- D. Serum chloride
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Serum sodium. In a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) scheduled for hemodialysis, monitoring serum sodium levels closely is essential. Hemodialysis can cause rapid shifts in sodium levels, leading to electrolyte imbalances. While serum potassium (choice A) is important to monitor in CKD, it is not the most crucial before hemodialysis. Serum creatinine (choice B) is an indicator of kidney function but is not the most immediate concern before hemodialysis. Serum chloride (choice D) is not typically the primary electrolyte of concern in CKD patients before hemodialysis.
A female client is admitted with end-stage pulmonary disease, is alert, oriented, and complaining of shortness of breath. The client tells the nurse that she wants 'no heroic measures' taken if she stops breathing, and she asks the nurse to document this in her medical record. What action should the nurse implement?
- A. Ask the client to discuss 'do not resuscitate' with her healthcare provider
- B. Document the client's wishes in her medical record
- C. Ask the client to sign an advance directive
- D. Place a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order in the client's chart
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement is to ask the client to discuss 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) wishes with her healthcare provider. This is important to ensure that the client makes informed decisions regarding her care. While documenting the client's wishes in her medical record is essential, it is crucial that the client discusses these wishes with the healthcare provider to understand the implications and have the DNR order legally documented. Asking the client to sign an advance directive is premature without a detailed discussion with the healthcare provider. Placing a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) order in the client's chart should only be done after the client has discussed and agreed upon this decision with the healthcare provider.
A 75-year-old female client is admitted to the orthopedic unit following an open reduction and internal fixation of a hip fracture. On the second postoperative day, the client becomes confused and repeatedly asks the nurse where she is. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
- A. History of alcohol use
- B. Current medication list
- C. Baseline cognitive status
- D. Family history of dementia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: History of alcohol use. In this scenario, obtaining the history of alcohol use is crucial as it could indicate withdrawal, which might explain the client's confusion. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and disorientation. While knowing the current medication list (choice B) is important for overall patient care, in this case, alcohol withdrawal is a more likely cause of the confusion. Baseline cognitive status (choice C) is valuable for comparison but may not directly explain the sudden confusion. Family history of dementia (choice D) is less relevant in this acute situation compared to the potential immediate impact of alcohol withdrawal.