A client has burns covering 40% of their total body surface area (TBSA). What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Monitor the client's urinary output hourly.
- B. Apply cool, moist dressings to the burned areas.
- C. Administer pain medication to reduce discomfort.
- D. Administer IV fluids to prevent hypovolemia.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Monitor the client's urinary output hourly. Clients with burns covering a large percentage of their total body surface area are at high risk for hypovolemia due to fluid loss. Monitoring urinary output is crucial because it helps assess kidney function and fluid balance, providing essential information about the client's hemodynamic status. Applying cool, moist dressings (choice B) is important but not the priority over assessing fluid balance. Administering pain medication (choice C) is essential for comfort but not the priority over monitoring for potential complications like hypovolemia. Administering IV fluids (choice D) is important to prevent hypovolemia, but monitoring urinary output should be the priority to guide fluid resuscitation.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of septic shock. Which assessment finding indicates that the client's condition is deteriorating?
- A. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
- B. Temperature of 99.5°F (37.5°C)
- C. Blood pressure of 88/52 mmHg
- D. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A blood pressure of 88/52 mmHg indicates hypotension, which is a sign of worsening septic shock. Hypotension can lead to organ failure and requires immediate intervention. Elevated heart rate (choice A), mild fever (choice B), and slightly increased respiratory rate (choice D) are common in septic shock and may not necessarily indicate a deteriorating condition as much as hypotension does.
An older male client, who is a retired chef, is hospitalized with a diabetic ulcer on his foot. His daughter tells the nurse that her father has become increasingly obsessed with the way his food is prepared in the hospital. The nurse's response should be based on what information?
- A. His daughter's observations suggest the client is depressed
- B. His compulsiveness about food may indicate new cognitive decline
- C. Obsessiveness with food is common in diabetic clients
- D. If the client was compulsive about food when he was younger, the aging process can magnify this
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Age can magnify pre-existing compulsive tendencies. If the client was detail-oriented about food earlier in life, this behavior may intensify with aging. It's important to acknowledge and address the client's concerns respectfully. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the daughter's observations do not necessarily point to depression, the compulsiveness about food does not indicate new cognitive decline without further assessment, and obsessiveness with food is not specifically common in diabetic clients.
The client with a below-the-knee amputation is being taught about proper care of the residual limb. The most important point to emphasize would be
- A. Wrap the stump with an elastic bandage to prevent swelling
- B. Keep the skin on the stump clean and dry
- C. Use alcohol to cleanse the stump daily
- D. Apply moisturizing lotion to the stump daily
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Keep the skin on the stump clean and dry. This is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing of the residual limb. Wrapping the stump with an elastic bandage can constrict blood flow and cause issues. Using alcohol to cleanse the stump daily can be too harsh and drying for the skin, leading to irritation. Applying moisturizing lotion daily is not as essential as keeping the skin clean and dry to prevent complications.
A child is admitted with bacterial meningitis. What assessment finding should the nurse monitor most closely?
- A. Monitor the client's skin for rash and lesions.
- B. Monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure.
- C. Monitor the client's blood pressure closely.
- D. Monitor for changes in heart rate and rhythm.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B. Signs of increased intracranial pressure, such as changes in consciousness or pupil reactivity, are critical to monitor in children with bacterial meningitis to prevent complications. Monitoring the client's skin for rash and lesions (Choice A) is not the priority in bacterial meningitis. While monitoring blood pressure (Choice C) is important, signs of increased intracranial pressure take precedence. Monitoring for changes in heart rate and rhythm (Choice D) is less specific to the condition and may not indicate worsening neurological status.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with chronic venous insufficiency. Which recommendation should the nurse include to help prevent complications?
- A. Use a heating pad on the legs
- B. Wear compression stockings
- C. Massage the legs daily
- D. Elevate legs for 10 minutes every hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct recommendation for a client with chronic venous insufficiency to prevent complications is to wear compression stockings. Compression stockings help improve venous circulation and prevent the worsening of symptoms. While elevating the legs is also beneficial, the priority intervention in preventing complications is wearing compression stockings. Using a heating pad on the legs can actually worsen the condition by dilating blood vessels, and massaging the legs daily can potentially damage fragile skin in clients with chronic venous insufficiency.