A client is experiencing acute cardiac and cerebral symptoms as a result of an excess fluid volume. Which nursing measure should the nurse implement to increase the client's comfort until specific therapy is prescribed by the primary health care provider?
- A. Cover the client with warm blankets.
- B. Minimize visual and auditory stimuli present.
- C. Elevate the client's head to at least 45 degrees.
- D. Administer oxygen at 4 L per minute by nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Excess fluid volume can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath and cerebral edema, which can be alleviated by elevating the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees to promote venous drainage and reduce intracranial pressure. This is a safe and effective nursing intervention to increase comfort until specific medical therapy is prescribed.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is preparing to initiate a bolus enteral feedings via nasogastric (NG) tube to a client. Which action represents safe practice by the nurse?
- A. Checking the volume of the residual after administering the bolus feeding
- B. Aspirating gastric contents before initiating the feeding to ensure that pH is greater than 9
- C. Elevating the head of the bed to 25 degrees and maintaining that position for 30 minutes after feeding
- D. Verifying correct nasogastric tube position with aspiration and administration of air bolus with auscultation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After initial radiographic confirmation of NG tube placement, methods used to verify nasogastric tube placement include measuring the length of the tube from the point it protrudes from the nose to the end, injecting 10 to 30 mL of air into the tube and auscultating over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and aspirating the secretions and checking to see if the pH is less than 3.5 (safest method). Residual should be assessed before administration of the next feeding. Fowler's position is recommended for bolus feedings, if permitted, and should be maintained for 1 hour after instillation.
The nurse instructs a preoperative client about the proper use of an incentive spirometer. What result should the nurse use to determine that the client is using the incentive spirometer effectively?
- A. Cloudy sputum
- B. Shallow breathing
- C. Unilateral wheezing
- D. Productive coughing
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry helps reduce atelectasis, open airways, stimulate coughing, and help mobilize secretions for expectoration, via vital client participation in recovery. Cloudy sputum, shallow breathing, and wheezing indicate that the incentive spirometry is not effective because they point to infection, counterproductive depth of breathing, and bronchoconstriction, respectively.
The nurse monitoring a preterm newborn infant for manifestations of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) should assess the infant for which manifestations? Select all that apply.
- A. Cyanosis
- B. Tachypnea
- C. Retractions
- D. Nasal flaring
- E. Acrocyanosis
- F. Grunting respirations
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: The newborn infant with RDS may present with clinical manifestation of cyanosis, tachypnea or apnea, chest wall retractions, audible grunts, or nasal flaring. Acrocyanosis, the bluish discoloration of the hands and feet, is associated with immature peripheral circulation and is not uncommon in the first few hours of life.
A client diagnosed with myxedema reports having experienced a lack of energy, cold intolerance, and puffiness around the eyes and face. The nurse plans care knowing that these clinical manifestations are caused by a lack of production of which hormones? Select all that apply.
- A. Thyroxine (T4)
- B. Prolactin (PRL)
- C. Triiodothyronine (T3)
- D. Growth hormone (GH)
- E. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- F. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Although all of these hormones originate from the anterior pituitary, only T3 and T4 are associated with the client's symptoms. Myxedema results from inadequate thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4). Low levels of thyroid hormone result in an overall decrease in the basal metabolic rate, affecting virtually every body system and leading to weakness, fatigue, and a decrease in heat production. A decrease in LH results in the loss of secondary sex characteristics. A decrease in ACTH is seen in Addison's disease. PRL stimulates breast milk production by the mammary glands, and GH affects bone and soft tissue by promoting growth through protein anabolism and lipolysis.
The nurse in the postpartum unit is assessing for signs of breast-feeding problems demonstrated by either the newborn or the mother. Which findings indicate a problem? Select all that apply.
- A. The infant exhibits dimpling of the cheeks.
- B. The infant makes smacking or clicking sounds.
- C. The mother's breast gets softer during a feeding.
- D. Milk drips from the mother's breast occasionally.
- E. The infant falls asleep after feeding less than 5 minutes.
- F. The infant can be heard swallowing frequently during a feeding.
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Infant signs of breast-feeding problems include dimpling of the cheeks; making smacking or clicking sounds; falling asleep after feeding less than 5 minutes; refusing to breast-feed; tongue thrusting; failing to open the mouth at latch-on; turning the lower lip in; making short, choppy motions of the jaw; and not swallowing audibly. Softening of the breast during feeding, noting milk in the infant's mouth or dripping from the mother's breast occasionally, and hearing the infant swallow are signs that the infant is receiving adequate nutrition.