A client has fallen and sustained a leg injury. Which question should the nurse ask to help determine if the client sustained a fracture?
- A. Is the pain a dull ache?
- B. Is the pain sharp and continuous?
- C. Does the discomfort feel like a cramp?
- D. Does the pain feel like the muscle was stretched?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fracture pain is generally described as sharp, continuous, and increasing in frequency. Bone pain is often described as a dull, deep ache. Muscle injury is often described as an aching or cramping pain, or soreness. Strains result from trauma to a muscle body or the attachment of a tendon from overstretching or overextension.
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A client diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is being admitted to the hospital for treatment of a Pneumocystis jiroveci respiratory infection. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to assist in maintaining the comfort of this client?
- A. Monitoring for bloody sputum
- B. Evaluating arterial blood gas results
- C. Keeping the head of the bed elevated
- D. Assessing respiratory rate, rhythm, depth, and breath sounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with respiratory difficulties are often more comfortable with the head of the bed elevated. Options 1, 2, and 4 are appropriate measures to evaluate respiratory function and avoid complications. Option 3 is the only choice that addresses planning for client comfort.
A client has undergone angioplasty of the iliac artery. Which technique should the nurse perform to best detect bleeding from the angioplasty in the region of the iliac artery?
- A. Palpate the pedal pulses.
- B. Measure the abdominal girth.
- C. Assess the client about the level of pain in the area.
- D. Auscultate over the iliac area with a Doppler device.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bleeding after iliac artery angioplasty causes blood to accumulate in the retroperitoneal area. This can most directly be detected by measuring abdominal girth. Palpation and auscultation of pulses determine patency. Assessment of pain is routinely done, and mild regional discomfort is expected.
A pregnant client at 32 weeks' gestation is admitted to the obstetrical unit for observation after a motor vehicle crash. When the client begins experiencing slight vaginal bleeding and mild cramps, which action should the nurse take to support the viability of the fetus?
- A. Insert an intravenous line and begin an infusion at 125 mL per hour.
- B. Administer oxygen to the woman via a face mask at 7 to 10 L per minute.
- C. Position and connect the ultrasound transducer to the external fetal monitor.
- D. Position and connect a spiral electrode to the fetal monitor for internal fetal monitoring.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: External fetal monitoring will allow the nurse to determine any change in the fetal heart rate and rhythm that would indicate that the fetus is in jeopardy. The amount of bleeding described is insufficient to require intravenous fluid replacement. Because fetal distress has not been determined at this time, oxygen administration is premature. Internal monitoring is contraindicated when there is vaginal bleeding, especially in preterm labor.
What is the smallest gauge catheter that the nurse can use to administer blood?
- A. 12 gauge
- B. 20 gauge
- C. 22 gauge
- D. 24 gauge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An intravenous catheter used to infuse blood should be at least 20 gauge or larger to help prevent additional hemolysis of red blood cells and to allow infusion of the blood without occluding the IV catheter.
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving tobramycin sulfate intravenously every 8 hours. Which result should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. A total bilirubin of 0.5 mg/dL (8.5 mcmol/L)
- B. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 15 mm/hour
- C. A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 30 mg/dL (10.8 mmol/L)
- D. A white blood cell count (WBC) of 6000 mm³ (6 × 10â¹/L)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tobramycin sulfate is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Adverse effects or toxic effects of tobramycin sulfate include nephrotoxicity as evidenced by an increased BUN and serum creatinine; irreversible ototoxicity as evidenced by tinnitus, dizziness, ringing or roaring in the ears, and reduced hearing; and neurotoxicity as evidenced by headaches, dizziness, lethargy, tremors, and visual disturbances. The normal BUN ranges from 10 to 20 mg/dL (3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L), depending on the laboratory. The normal total bilirubin level ranges from 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL (5.1 to 17 mcmol/L). The normal sedimentation rate for a male is ≤15 mm/hr and for a female is ≤20 mm/hr. A normal WBC count is 5000 to 10,000 mm³ (5 to 10 × 10â¹/L).