Nokea
A 9-year-old child was in the garage with his father, who was repairing a lawnmower. Some gasoline ignited and caused an explosion. His father was killed, and the child has split-thickness and full-thickness burns over 40% of his upper body, face, neck, and arms. All of the following nursing diagnoses are included on his care plan. Which of these nursing diagnoses should have top priority during the first 24-48 hours postburn?
- A. Pain related to tissue damage from burns
- B. Potential for infection related to contamination of wounds
- C. Fluid volume deficit related to increased capillary permeability
- D. Potential for impaired gas exchange related to edema of respiratory tract
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: (A, B, C) These answers are all correct; however, maintenance of airway is the top priority. Persons burned about the face and neck during an explosion are also likely to suffer burns of the respiratory tract, which can lead to edema and respiratory arrest.
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A 27-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks' gestation has been diagnosed with complete placenta previa. Conservative management including bed rest is the proper medical management. The goal for fetal survival is based on fetal lung maturity. The test used to determine fetal lung maturity is:
- A. Dinitrophenylhydrazine
- B. Metachromatic stain
- C. Blood serum phenylalanine test
- D. Lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dinitrophenylhydrazine is a laboratory test used to detect phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease, and Lowe's syndrome. Metachromatic stain is a laboratory test that may be used to diagnose Tay-Sachs and other lipid diseases of the central nervous system. The blood serum phenylalanine test is diagnostic of phenylketonuria and can be used for wide-scale screening. A lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio of at least 2:1 is indicative of fetal lung maturity, and survival of the fetus is likely.
The nurse is assessing a trauma client in the emergency room when she notes a penetrating abdominal wound with exposed viscera. The nurse should:
- A. Apply a clean dressing to protect the wound.
- B. Cover the exposed viscera with a sterile saline gauze.
- C. Gently replace the abdominal contents.
- D. Cover the area with a petroleum gauze.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exposed viscera should be covered with sterile saline-soaked gauze to keep them moist and prevent infection until surgical repair. Replacing contents or using non-sterile/petroleum dressings is unsafe.
A 34-year-old client who is gravida 1, para 0 has a history of infertility and conceived this pregnancy while taking fertility drugs. She is at 32 weeks' gestation and is carrying triplets. She is complaining of low back pain and a feeling of pelvic pressure. Her cervical exam reveals a long, closed cervix. The nurse notes that the client is experiencing mild uterine contractions every 7-8 minutes after the nurse has placed her on the fetal monitor. Her condition should indicate that:
- A. Her cervix shows she will likely deliver soon
- B. The nurse should not be alarmed because mild uterine activity is common at 32 weeks' gestation
- C. She may be in preterm labor because this is more common with multiple pregnancies
- D. She most likely has a urinary tract infection (UTI) because this is common with pregnancy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rhythmical contractions in conjunction with low back pain and pelvic pressure at 32 weeks in a woman carrying triplets are of great concern, indicating possible preterm labor, which is more common in multiple pregnancies.
When assessing a child with diabetes insipidus, the nurse should be aware of the cardinal signs of:
- A. Anemia and vomiting
- B. Polyuria and polydipsia
- C. Irritability relieved by feeding formula
- D. Hypothermia and azotemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anemia and vomiting are not cardinal signs of diabetes insipidus. Polyuria and polydipsia are the cardinal signs of diabetes insipidus. Irritability relieved by feeding water, not formula, is a common sign, but not the cardinal sign, of diabetes insipidus. Hypothermia and azotemia are signs, but not cardinal signs, of diabetes insipidus.
A client has received digoxin 0.25 mg po daily for 2 weeks. Which of the following digoxin levels indicates toxicity?
- A. 0.5 ng/mL
- B. 1.0 ng/mL
- C. 2.0 ng/mL
- D. 3.0 ng/mL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin's therapeutic level is 0.8-2.0 ng/mL. Digoxin's toxic level is >2.0 ng/mL.