Nokea
A client has been admitted with a fractured femur and has been placed in skeletal traction. Which of the following nursing interventions should receive priority?
- A. Maintaining proper body alignment
- B. Frequent neurovascular assessments of the affected leg
- C. Inspection of pin sites for evidence of drainage or inflammation
- D. Applying an over-bed trapeze to assist the client with movement in bed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important activity for the nurse is to assess neurovascular status. Compartment syndrome is a serious complication of fractures. Prompt recognition of this neurovascular problem and early intervention may prevent permanent limb damage.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a client who had surgery yesterday. When administering omeprazole, the client asks 'What is that for? I don't take it at home.' Which reply by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Omeprazole helps prevent nausea by making your stomach empty faster.'
- B. Omeprazole helps prevent you from developing an ulcer due to the stress of surgery.'
- C. Omeprazole protects you from getting an infection while on antibiotics.'
- D. This medication will treat your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used postoperatively to prevent stress ulcers due to surgical stress. It does not affect gastric emptying , prevent infections , or assume GERD without a diagnosis.
A 72-year-old woman is being treated for pneumonia. Physician's orders include an antibiotic, oxygen PRN for O2 saturation less than 90, and pulse oximetry every 4 hours. The nurse obtains a pulse oximetry reading of 82% on room air. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
- A. Report the finding to the physician
- B. Report the finding to the registered nurse to get instructions
- C. Start supplemental oxygen
- D. Start oxygen and repeat the pulse oximetry in 20 minutes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An O2 saturation of 82% requires immediate supplemental oxygen per orders to correct hypoxia, the priority action.
A client is scheduled for a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The nurse knows that a PTCA is the
- A. Surgical repair of a diseased coronary artery
- B. Placement of an automatic internal cardiac defibrillator
- C. Procedure that compresses plaque against the wall of the diseased coronary artery to improve blood flow
- D. Non-invasive radiographic examination of the heart
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PTCA is performed to improve coronary artery blood flow in a diseased artery. It is performed during a cardiac catheterization.
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for albuterol 5 mg via nebulizer every 4 hours. The nurse has albuterol 2.5 mg/3 mL available. How many mL should the nurse administer to the client with each dose? Record your answer using a whole number.
Correct Answer: 6 mL/dose
Rationale: Albuterol 5 mg is needed, with 2.5 mg/3 mL available. Thus, 5 mg ÷ 2.5 mg × 3 mL = 6 mL per dose.
The postoperative client on hydrocodone becomes hypoxic, and naloxone is administered per protocol. What is most important for the nurse to consider in the follow-up care of this client?
- A. Client's respiratory status 60 minutes later
- B. Documenting the client's hypoxic event
- C. Obtaining an order for a different analgesic
- D. Potential for drug-drug interaction now
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: After naloxone administration for opioid-induced hypoxia, monitoring respiratory status is critical as naloxone's effects are short-acting, and respiratory depression may recur. Documentation is important but secondary, changing analgesics is not immediate, and drug interactions are less urgent.