Nokea
A client has had a nasointestinal (NI) tube in place for 24 hours. Which assessment finding indicates that the tube is properly located in the intestine?
- A. Bowel sounds are absent.
- B. The client denies being nauseous.
- C. Aspirate from the tube has a pH of 7.
- D. The abdominal x-ray indicates that the end of the tube is above the pylorus.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nasogastric (NG) or NI tube is used to decompress the intestine and correct a bowel obstruction. Nausea should subside as decompression is accomplished. The pH of the gastric fluid is acidic, and the pH of the intestinal fluid is alkaline (7 or higher). Although bowel sounds will be abnormal in the presence of obstruction, the presence or absence of bowel sounds is not associated with the location of the tube. The end of the tube should be located in the intestine (below the pylorus). Location of the tube can also be determined by radiographs.
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Which nursing assessment question should be asked to help determine the client's risk for developing malignant hyperthermia in the perioperative period?
- A. Have you ever had heat exhaustion or heat stroke?
- B. What is the normal range for your body temperature?
- C. Do you or any of your family members have frequent infections?
- D. Do you or any of your family members have problems with general anesthesia?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic disorder in which a combination of anesthetic agents (the muscle relaxant succinylcholine and inhalation agents such as halothanes) triggers uncontrolled skeletal muscle contractions that can quickly lead to a potentially fatal hyperthermia. Questioning the client about the family history of general anesthesia problems may reveal this as a risk for the client. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to this surgical complication.
A client is being admitted with a diagnosis of urolithiasis and ureteral colic. The nurse expects to note which finding on pain assessment?
- A. Dull and aching pain in the costovertebral area
- B. Aching and cramplike pain throughout the abdomen
- C. Pain that is sharp and radiating posteriorly to the spinal column
- D. Pain that is excruciating, wavelike, and radiating toward the genitalia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pain of ureteral colic is caused by movement of a stone through the ureter and is sharp, excruciating, and wavelike, radiating to the genitalia and thigh. The stone causes reduced flow of urine, and the urine also contains blood because of the stone's abrasive action on urinary tract mucosa. Stones in the renal pelvis cause pain that is a dull ache in the costovertebral area. Renal colic is characterized by pain that is acute, with tenderness over the costovertebral area.
Which medication instructions should the nurse provide to a client who has been prescribed levothyroxine? Select all that apply.
- A. Monitor your own pulse rate.
- B. Take the medication in the morning.
- C. Take the medication at the same time each day.
- D. Notify the primary health care provider if chest pain occurs.
- E. Expect the pulse rate to be greater than 100 beats per minute.
- F. It may take 1 to 3 weeks for a full therapeutic effect to occur.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone. The client is instructed to monitor her or his own pulse rate. The client is also instructed to take the medication in the morning before breakfast to prevent insomnia and to take the medication at the same time each day to maintain hormone levels. The client is told not to discontinue the medication and that thyroid replacement is lifelong. Additional instructions include contacting the primary health care provider if the rate is greater than 100 beats per minute and notifying the primary health care provider if chest pain occurs, or if weight loss, nervousness and tremors, or insomnia develops. The client is also told that full therapeutic effect may take 1 to 3 weeks and that he or she needs to have follow-up thyroid blood studies to monitor therapy.
The nurse reviews a primary health care provider's prescriptions and notes that a topical nitrate is prescribed. The nurse notes that acetaminophen is prescribed to be administered before the nitrate. The nurse implements the prescription with which understanding about why acetaminophen is prescribed?
- A. Headache is a common side effect of nitrates.
- B. Fever usually accompanies myocardial infarction.
- C. Acetaminophen potentiates the therapeutic effect of nitrates.
- D. Acetaminophen does not interfere with platelet action as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) does.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Headache occurs as a side effect of nitrates in many clients. Acetaminophen may be administered before nitrates to prevent headaches or minimize the discomfort from the headaches.
After a client diagnosed with pleural effusion had a thoracentesis, a sample of fluid was sent to the laboratory. Analysis of the fluid reveals a high red blood cell count. Based on this test result, what was the cause of this client's pleural effusion?
- A. Trauma
- B. Infection
- C. Liver failure
- D. Heart failure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pleural fluid from an effusion that has a high red blood cell count may result from trauma and may be treated with placement of a chest tube for drainage. Other causes of pleural effusion include infection, heart failure, liver or renal failure, malignancy, or inflammatory processes. Infection would be accompanied by white blood cells. The fluid portion of the serum would accumulate with liver failure and heart failure.