Nokea
A client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of cirrhosis demonstrates massive ascites causing dyspnea. The nurse performs which intervention as a priority measure to assist the client with this complication?
- A. Repositions side to side every 2 hours
- B. Elevates the head of the bed 60 degrees
- C. Auscultates the lung fields every 4 hours
- D. Encourages deep breathing exercises every 2 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client is having difficulty breathing because of upward pressure on the diaphragm from the ascitic fluid in the abdomen. Elevating the head of the bed enlists the aid of gravity in relieving pressure on the diaphragm. The other options are general measures in the care of a client with ascites, but the priority measure is the one that relieves diaphragmatic pressure thus assisting effective respirations.
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The nurse, caring for a client in the active stage of labor, is monitoring the fetal status and notes that the monitor strip shows a late deceleration. Based on this observation, which action should the nurse plan to take immediately?
- A. Document the findings.
- B. Prepare for immediate birth.
- C. Increase the rate of an oxytocin infusion.
- D. Administer oxygen to the client via face mask.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Late decelerations are caused by uteroplacental insufficiency as the result of decreased blood flow and oxygen transfer to the fetus through the intervillous space during the uterine contractions. This causes hypoxemia; therefore, oxygen is necessary. Although the finding needs to be documented, documentation is not the priority action in this situation. Late decelerations are considered an ominous sign but do not necessarily require immediate birth of the baby. The oxytocin infusion should be discontinued when a late deceleration is noted. The oxytocin would cause further hypoxemia because the medication stimulates contractions and leads to increased uteroplacental insufficiency.
The nurse is monitoring a client in the telemetry unit who has recently been admitted with the diagnosis of chest pain and notes this heart rate pattern on the monitoring strip. What is the initial action to be taken by the nurse?
- A. Notify the primary health care provider.
- B. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- C. Continue to monitor the client and the heart rate patterns.
- D. Administer oxygen with a face mask at 8 to 10 L per minute.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The monitor is showing ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening dysrhythmia that requires CPR and defibrillation to maintain life. Although the primary health care provider must be notified, CPR is the initial action. Oxygen is necessary, but again the initiation of CPR is the priority because it will provide more than just oxygen to the client. Monitoring the client is necessary, but not as an initial action; emergency resuscitative treatment must be provided to the client immediately.
The nurse notes this cardiac rhythm on the cardiac monitor (refer to figure). What should the nurse interpret that the client is experiencing?
- A. Atrial fibrillation
- B. Sinus bradycardia
- C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
- D. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: PVCs are abnormal ectopic beats (occurring in otherwise normal sinus rhythm) originating in the ventricles. They are characterized by an absence of P waves, wide and bizarre QRS complexes, and a compensatory pause that follows the ectopy. In atrial fibrillation, no definitive P wave usually can be observed; only fibrillatory waves before each QRS complex are observed. In sinus bradycardia, atrial and ventricular rhythms are regular, and the rates are less than 60 beats per minute. In ventricular fibrillation, impulses from many irritable foci in the ventricles fire in a totally disorganized manner, which appears as a chaotic rapid rhythm in which the ventricles quiver.
A client in labor has a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia. Which action will the nurse take to assist in preventing the client from experiencing a sickling crisis during labor?
- A. Being reassuring
- B. Administering oxygen
- C. Preventing bearing down
- D. Maintaining strict asepsis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the labor process, the client with sickle cell anemia is at high risk for being unable to meet the oxygen demands of labor. Administering oxygen will prevent sickle cell crisis during labor. Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy will also reduce the risk of a sickle cell crisis.
The nurse has just finished assisting the primary health care provider in placing a central intravenous (IV) line. Which is a priority intervention to assure the client's safety?
- A. Assessing the client's pain level
- B. Assessing the client's temperature
- C. Preparing the client for a chest x-ray
- D. Monitoring the client's blood pressure (BP)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A major risk associated with central line placement is the possibility of a pneumothorax developing from an accidental puncture of the lung. Assessing the results of a chest radiograph is one of the best methods to determine if this complication has occurred and verify catheter tip placement before initiating IV therapy. A temperature elevation related to central line insertion would not likely occur immediately after placement. Pain management is important but is not the priority at this point. Although BP assessment is always important in assessing a client's status after an invasive procedure, fluid volume overload is not a concern until IV fluids are started.