A client is having difficulty breathing while laying in bed with a nasal cannula delivering oxygen. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take first?
- A. Suction the client's airway
- B. Administer a bronchodilator
- C. Increase the humidity in the client's room
- D. Assist the client to an upright position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to assist the client to an upright position. When a client is having difficulty breathing, promoting optimal oxygenation is essential. Elevating the head of the bed improves ventilation and lung expansion by reducing pressure on the diaphragm. This position allows the lungs to expand fully, enhancing oxygen exchange. Suctioning the airway may be necessary if there are secretions causing obstruction, but it is not the first intervention in this scenario. Administering a bronchodilator is appropriate for bronchoconstriction but does not address the immediate need for better ventilation. Increasing humidity can be beneficial in certain respiratory conditions, but it is not the initial priority when a client is struggling to breathe.
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The nurse has admitted a 4-year-old with the diagnosis of possible rheumatic fever. Which statement by the parent would cause the nurse to suspect an association with this disease?
- A. Our child had chickenpox 6 months ago.
- B. Strep throat went through all the children at the day care last month.
- C. Both ears were infected over 3 months ago.
- D. Last week both feet had a fungal skin infection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Rheumatic fever often follows a strep throat infection, which is why the nurse should suspect this association. Strep throat is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, which can trigger an abnormal immune response leading to rheumatic fever. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because chickenpox, ear infections, and fungal skin infections are not typically associated with rheumatic fever.
A nurse overhears a colleague informing a client that he will administer her medication by injection if she refuses to swallow her pills. The nurse should recognize that the colleague is committing which of the following torts?
- A. Defamation - harming someone's reputation through false statements.
- B. Malpractice - professional negligence or misconduct.
- C. Assault - threatening to cause harm to someone.
- D. Battery - intentional harmful or offensive physical contact.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the colleague's action of informing the client that he will administer medication by injection if she refuses to swallow her pills constitutes assault. Assault is the act of threatening harm that causes fear of imminent harm. It does not involve physical contact but rather the apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive act. Defamation, choice A, is incorrect as it involves harming someone's reputation through false statements. Malpractice, choice B, is also incorrect as it refers to professional negligence or misconduct in performing duties. Battery, choice D, is not the correct answer as it involves intentional harmful or offensive physical contact with the person.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for tube feeding. The nurse understands that the provider prescribed tube feeding because the client:
- A. Is unable to swallow foods by mouth
- B. Has a gastrointestinal obstruction
- C. Requires additional caloric intake to support healing
- D. Is at risk for aspiration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Is unable to swallow foods by mouth.' Tube feeding is prescribed when a client is unable to safely swallow food by mouth but has a functional gastrointestinal tract. Option B, 'Has a gastrointestinal obstruction,' is incorrect as tube feeding is not typically prescribed for this reason. Option C, 'Requires additional caloric intake to support healing,' is incorrect because tube feeding is specifically for clients who are unable to swallow. Option D, 'Is at risk for aspiration,' is also incorrect as tube feeding would not be the primary intervention for aspiration risk; other strategies to reduce aspiration risk would be implemented instead.
A policy requiring the removal of acrylic nails by all nursing personnel was implemented 6 months ago. Which assessment measure best determines if the intended outcome of the policy is being achieved?
- A. Number of staff-induced injuries
- B. Client satisfaction survey
- C. Healthcare-associated infection rate
- D. Rate of needle-stick injuries by nurses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Healthcare-associated infection rate. This measure best indicates the effect of the policy on infection control. By monitoring the healthcare-associated infection rate, it can be determined if the policy of removing acrylic nails has contributed to reducing the risk of infections. Choices A, B, and D are not as directly linked to the outcome of the policy. The number of staff-induced injuries may not be solely due to acrylic nails. Client satisfaction may not be directly impacted by this policy, and needle-stick injuries are more related to a different aspect of healthcare practice.
During a peripheral vascular assessment, a healthcare professional places the bell of the stethoscope on a client's neck and hears an audible vascular sound associated with turbulent blood flow. This sound indicates which of the following?
- A. Narrowed arterial lumen
- B. Distended jugular veins
- C. Impaired ventricular contraction
- D. Asynchronous closure of the aortic and pulmonic valve
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Narrowed arterial lumen. Arterial bruits are abnormal sounds caused by turbulent blood flow through narrowed or occluded arteries. This turbulent flow creates a blowing sound, which is heard as an arterial bruit. Distended jugular veins (choice B) are typically associated with venous issues, not arterial abnormalities. Impaired ventricular contraction (choice C) and asynchronous closure of the aortic and pulmonic valve (choice D) are not directly related to the audible vascular sound described in the scenario.