A client diagnosed with renal cancer is being treated preoperatively with radiation therapy. The nurse evaluates that the client has an understanding of proper care of the skin over the treatment field when the client makes which statement?
- A. I'll be able to wash the ink marks off my skin after the initial treatment.
- B. Direct sunlight is something I'll have to really avoid exposing my skin to.
- C. I'll have my family bring me some unscented lotion to keep my skin soft.
- D. Wearing snug fitting clothing over the skin site will help provide good support.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client undergoing radiation therapy must keep the affected skin protected from temperature extremes, direct sunlight, and chlorinated water (as from swimming pools). The client should wash the site using mild soap and warm or cool water and pat the area dry. Lines or ink marks that are placed on the skin to guide the radiation therapy should be left in place. No lotions, creams, alcohol, perfumes, or deodorants should be placed on the skin over the treatment site. The client should wear cotton clothing over the skin site and guard against irritation from tight or rough clothing such as belts or bras.
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A nursing childbirth educator tells a class of expectant parents that it is standard routine to instill the ophthalmic ointment form of which medication into the eyes of a newborn infant as a preventive measure against ophthalmia neonatorum?
- A. Penicillin
- B. Neomycin
- C. Vitamin K
- D. Erythromycin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ophthalmic erythromycin 0.5% ointment is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is used prophylactically to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, an eye infection acquired from the newborn infant's passage through the birth canal. Infection from these organisms can cause blindness or serious eye damage. Erythromycin is effective against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Vitamin K is administered in an injectable form to the newborn infant to prevent abnormal bleeding, and it promotes liver formation of the clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. Options 1 and 2 are incorrect and are not medications routinely used in the newborn.
An infant has been found to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. When teaching condition-specific care, which action should the nurse instruct the mother to take to minimize the child's risk for condition-related injury?
- A. Check the anterior fontanel for bulging and the sutures for widening each day.
- B. Feed the infant in an upright position with the head and chest tilted slightly back to avoid aspiration.
- C. Provide meticulous skin care to the infant and change the infant's diaper after each voiding or stool.
- D. Feed the infant with a special nipple and burp the infant frequently to decrease the tendency to swallow air.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Meticulous skin care helps protect the HIV-infected infant from secondary infections. Bulging fontanels, feeding the infant in an upright position, and using a special nipple are unrelated to the pathology associated with HIV.
The nurse is caring for a term newborn. Which assessment finding would predispose the newborn to the occurrence of jaundice?
- A. Presence of a cephalhematoma
- B. Infant blood type of O negative
- C. Birth weight of 8 pounds 6 ounces
- D. A negative direct Coombs' test result
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A cephalhematoma is swelling caused by bleeding into an area between the bone and its periosteum (does not cross over the suture line). Enclosed hemorrhage, such as with cephalhematoma, predisposes the newborn to jaundice by producing an increased bilirubin load as the cephalhematoma resolves (usually within 6 weeks) and is absorbed into the circulatory system. The classic Rh incompatibility situation involves an Rh-negative mother with an Rh-positive fetus/newborn. The birth weight in option 3 is within the acceptable range for a term newborn and therefore does not contribute to an increased bilirubin level. A negative direct Coombs' test result indicates that there are no maternal antibodies on fetal erythrocytes.
The nurse prepares to transfer the client with a newly applied arm cast into the bed using which method?
- A. Placing ice on top of the cast
- B. Supporting the cast with the fingertips only
- C. Asking the client to support the cast during transfer
- D. Using the palms of the hands and soft pillows to support the cast
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The palms or the flat surface of the extended fingers should be used when moving a wet cast to prevent indentations. Pillows are used to support the curves of the cast to prevent cracking or flattening of the cast from the weight of the body. Half-full bags of ice may be placed next to the cast to prevent swelling, but this would be done after the client is placed in bed. Asking the client to support the cast during transfer is inappropriate.
The nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has returned to the nursing unit after left nephrectomy. Which assessments should the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Pain level
- B. Vital signs
- C. Hourly urine output
- D. Tolerance for sips of clear liquids
- E. Ability to cough and deep breathe
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: After nephrectomy, it is imperative to measure the urine output on an hourly basis. This is done to monitor the effectiveness of the remaining kidney and detect renal failure early, if it should occur. The client may also experience significant pain after this surgery, which could affect the client's ability to reposition, cough, and deep breathe. Therefore, the next most important measurements are vital signs, pain level, and ability to cough and deep breathe. Clear liquids are not given until the client has bowel sounds.
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