A client has a chest tube. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
- A. Clamp the chest tube for 15 minutes every 2 hours.
- B. Maintain the drainage system below the client's chest.
- C. Strip the chest tube every 2 hours.
- D. Keep the collection device at the level of the client's chest.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining the chest tube drainage system below the client's chest level is crucial to ensure proper drainage and prevent complications. Clamping the chest tube can lead to a tension pneumothorax, stripping the chest tube is an outdated practice that can cause damage to the tissues, and keeping the collection device at the level of the client's chest can impede proper drainage and lead to fluid accumulation.
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A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Check for tube placement.
- B. Flush the NG tube with 0.9% sodium chloride.
- C. Administer the medications as a bolus.
- D. Dissolve the medications in 30 mL of sterile water.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when preparing to administer medications to a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube is to check for tube placement. This step is crucial to ensure that the NG tube is correctly positioned in the stomach and not in the respiratory tract, reducing the risk of aspiration. Flushing the NG tube with 0.9% sodium chloride, administering the medications as a bolus, or dissolving the medications in sterile water should only be done after confirming the proper placement of the NG tube. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they precede the essential step of verifying tube placement.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Increased bilirubin levels
- B. Decreased albumin levels
- C. Increased prothrombin time
- D. Decreased serum glucose levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Increased bilirubin levels are expected in clients with cirrhosis due to impaired liver function. Elevated bilirubin levels are commonly seen in cirrhosis as the liver's ability to process bilirubin is compromised. Decreased albumin levels and increased prothrombin time are also associated with cirrhosis, but the most specific finding related to liver dysfunction among the choices provided is increased bilirubin levels. Decreased serum glucose levels are not typically associated with cirrhosis.
A client is being discharged with a new prescription for metoprolol. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Do not discontinue this medication suddenly.
- B. Take this medication in the evening to decrease the risk of falls.
- C. Monitor your heart rate before taking this medication.
- D. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct instruction for a client prescribed metoprolol is to monitor their heart rate before taking the medication. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate), so it is essential for clients to check their heart rate before each dose. Choice A is incorrect because abruptly stopping metoprolol can lead to adverse effects, so it should not be discontinued suddenly. Choice B is incorrect because there is no specific recommendation to take metoprolol at night to reduce falls. Choice D is incorrect because grapefruit juice can interact with metoprolol, affecting its absorption, and should be avoided.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a new prescription for potassium chloride. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
- B. Heart rate 88/min
- C. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
- D. Sodium 136 mEq/L
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is below the normal range, indicating hypokalemia. Before administering potassium chloride, which is used to treat low potassium levels, the nurse should report this finding to the provider for further evaluation and potential adjustment of the treatment plan. Choices A, B, and D are within normal ranges and do not directly relate to the need for potassium chloride administration.
A client taking haloperidol is exhibiting extrapyramidal symptoms. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Increase the dose of haloperidol.
- B. Administer benztropine.
- C. Administer naloxone.
- D. Monitor blood pressure before administering the next dose.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct intervention for a client exhibiting extrapyramidal symptoms while taking haloperidol is to administer benztropine. Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication commonly used to manage extrapyramidal symptoms caused by antipsychotic medications like haloperidol. Increasing the dose of haloperidol (Choice A) would exacerbate the symptoms rather than alleviate them. Administering naloxone (Choice C) is not indicated for extrapyramidal symptoms. Monitoring blood pressure (Choice D) is important but not the primary intervention for managing extrapyramidal symptoms.