A client is admitted to the hospital with second and third degree burns to the face and neck. How should the nurse best position the client to maximize function of the neck and face and prevent contracture?
- A. The neck extended backward using a rolled towel behind the neck
- B. Prone position using pillows to support both arms outward from the torso
- C. Side-lying position using pillows to support the abdomen and back
- D. The neck forward using pillows under the head and sandbags on both sides
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After sustaining burns to the face and neck, positioning is crucial to maintain functional posture, reduce pain, and prevent contractures. Placing the neck forward using pillows under the head and sandbags on both sides is the best option in this scenario. This position helps prevent neck and facial contractures, allowing for optimal function and healing. Choices A, B, and C do not adequately address the specific needs of a client with burns to the face and neck. Choice A could potentially exacerbate neck contractures, Choice B focuses on arm support rather than neck and face positioning, and Choice C does not directly address the needs of the burned face and neck, making them less effective in preventing contractures in these critical areas.
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A client with foul-smelling drainage from an incision on the upper left arm is admitted with a suspected methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which nursing interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Send wound drainage for culture and sensitivity.
- B. Institute contact precautions for staff and visitors.
- C. Use standard precautions and wear a mask.
- D. Monitor the client's white blood cell count.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When dealing with a client suspected of having MRSA, the nurse should implement contact precautions to prevent the spread of infection. This includes using gowns and gloves, along with following proper hand hygiene practices. Sending wound drainage for culture and sensitivity may be necessary for diagnostic purposes, but it is not directly related to preventing the spread of infection in this case. Using standard precautions and wearing a mask are not sufficient when dealing with MRSA; contact precautions are specifically required to prevent transmission. Monitoring the client's white blood cell count is important in assessing infection status but is not a primary intervention to prevent the spread of MRSA.
What is the primary purpose of a chest tube in a client's care?
- A. To drain air and fluid from the pleural space
- B. To prevent infection in the thoracic cavity
- C. To assist with lung expansion
- D. To monitor intrathoracic pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: To drain air and fluid from the pleural space. A chest tube is primarily used to remove accumulated air or fluid in the pleural space, preventing lung collapse or compromise of lung function. This intervention aims to re-expand the lung and enhance respiratory function. Choice B is incorrect because preventing infection is not the primary purpose of a chest tube. Choice C is incorrect as lung expansion is a result of draining the pleural space, not the primary goal. Choice D is incorrect as monitoring intrathoracic pressure is not the main objective of a chest tube insertion.
A client with a cast complains of numbness and tingling in the affected limb. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Check for tightness of the cast
- B. Elevate the limb
- C. Apply ice to the area
- D. Notify the physician
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct first action for a client with a cast experiencing numbness and tingling in the affected limb is to check for tightness of the cast. Numbness and tingling can indicate compromised circulation, and a tight cast may be causing this. Checking the cast for tightness is essential to ensure it is not impeding circulation. Elevating the limb, applying ice, or notifying the physician can be subsequent actions depending on the assessment findings after checking the cast. Elevating the limb might help improve circulation, applying ice is not indicated for numbness and tingling, and notifying the physician can be done if the issue persists after addressing the immediate concern of cast tightness.
The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which clinical sign is most indicative of DVT?
- A. Redness and warmth over the affected area
- B. Decreased peripheral pulses
- C. Cyanosis of the toes
- D. Muscle cramps in the calf
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Redness and warmth over the affected area are classic signs of inflammation, which commonly occur in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to the obstruction of blood flow. These symptoms result from the body's inflammatory response to the blood clot. Choices B, C, and D are less indicative of DVT. Decreased peripheral pulses may occur in arterial insufficiency rather than DVT. Cyanosis of the toes indicates decreased oxygenation and is more characteristic of arterial issues. Muscle cramps in the calf are nonspecific and can be caused by various conditions, not solely DVT.
Before a client undergoes a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan with contrast, what should the nurse assess?
- A. If the client has any metal implants
- B. If the client has allergies to iodine or shellfish
- C. If the client has a history of claustrophobia
- D. If the client has ever had a similar procedure before
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Before an MRI scan with contrast, the nurse should assess if the client has any metal implants. Metal implants can interfere with the magnetic field of the MRI, which can pose a risk to the client's safety and compromise the quality of the scan. Assessing for allergies to iodine or shellfish (Choice B) is important for contrast agents but not specific to metal implants. Claustrophobia assessment (Choice C) is relevant for MRI scans due to the confined space but not specific to metal implants. Past procedures (Choice D) are important for comparison but not directly related to the risks associated with metal implants during an MRI scan with contrast.