A 68-year-old woman is brought to the emergency room by ambulance. She was found by her husband slumped in her chair and unresponsive. Tentative diagnosis is cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The physician orders a 15% solution of mannitol IV. The nurse knows that this drug is given for what purpose?
- A. To increase urine output
- B. To dissolve clots
- C. To reduce blood pressure
- D. To decrease muscle spasms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mannitol reduces intracranial pressure and blood pressure by promoting diuresis in CVA patients with cerebral edema.
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The nurse is administering eardrops to a six (6)-year-old client. Which indicates the nurse is aware of the correct method for instilling eardrops to a child?
- A. Pull the pinna upward only to instill the eardrops.
- B. Pull the pinna to a neutral position to instill the eardrops.
- C. Pull the pinna upward and backward prior to instilling the drops.
- D. Pull the pinna downward and forward to instill the drops.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For children under 3, pulling the pinna down and back straightens the ear canal; for older children like a 6-year-old, down and back is still appropriate. Upward or neutral pulls are incorrect.
Which statement best describes the scientific rationale for the nurse holding the otoscope with the hand in a pencil-hold position when examining the client's ear?
- A. It is usually the most comfortable position to hold the otoscope.
- B. This allows the best visualization of the tympanic membrane.
- C. This prevents inserting the otoscope too far into the external ear.
- D. It ensures the nurse will not cause pain when examining the ear.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pencil-hold prevents deep insertion, protecting the ear canal and tympanic membrane. Comfort, visualization, and pain avoidance are secondary.
The nurse telephones the client 1 day post-cataract surgery. Which client statement necessitates an evaluation by an ophthalmologist?
- A. My eye starts hurting about 4 hours after a pain pill.
- B. The redness in my eye is a little less than yesterday.
- C. There has never been any swelling around my eye.
- D. I can't see as well as I could yesterday after surgery.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A significant reduction in vision may indicate a complication such as infection or retinal detachment. Pain relieved by prescribed pain medication is within normal assessment parameters. Decreasing redness is within normal assessment parameters. No swelling is within normal assessment parameters.
When planning care for a woman with myasthenia gravis, the nurse asks her what time of day she feels strongest. The nurse would expect which of the following replies?
- A. I can wash up and comb my hair before breakfast because I feel best in the morning.'
- B. I only feel good for about an hour after I take my medication.'
- C. I feel strongest in the evening, so I would prefer to take a shower before bedtime.'
- D. I feel best after lunch after I've been moving around a little.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Muscle strength in myasthenia gravis is typically best in the morning, with weakness worsening throughout the day.
The nurse is caring for a client who is very hard of hearing. How should the nurse communicate with this person?
- A. Speak loudly and talk in his better ear
- B. Stand in front of him and speak clearly and distinctly
- C. Yell at him using a high-pitched voice
- D. Write all communication on a note pad or magic slate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standing in front and speaking clearly aids lip-reading and communication for a hard-of-hearing client.