A client post-thoracotomy is complaining of severe pain with deep breathing and coughing. What should the nurse encourage the client to do to manage the pain and prevent respiratory complications?
- A. Hold a pillow against the chest while coughing (splinting).
- B. Take shallow breaths to avoid pain.
- C. Increase the dose of pain medication.
- D. Avoid deep breathing exercises.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Splinting the chest with a pillow helps manage pain during deep breathing and coughing, which is essential to prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis or pneumonia after thoracic surgery. Holding a pillow against the chest while coughing (splinting) supports the incision site and reduces the pain associated with deep breathing and coughing. Encouraging shallow breaths (Choice B) can lead to respiratory complications due to inadequate lung expansion. Increasing pain medication (Choice C) should be done based on healthcare provider orders and not solely for this situation. Avoiding deep breathing exercises (Choice D) can worsen respiratory function and increase the risk of complications.
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The nurse is performing a psychosocial assessment on an adolescent aged 14. Which emotional response is typical during early adolescence?
- A. Frequent anger
- B. Cooperativeness
- C. Moodiness
- D. Combativeness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Moodiness is a typical emotional response during early adolescence. Hormonal changes and developmental challenges contribute to this behavior. While anger and combativeness can also be present during adolescence, they are not as consistently typical as moodiness. Cooperativeness, on the other hand, is a trait more commonly associated with later stages of development and maturity, rather than early adolescence.
Which of the following dietary modifications should be recommended for a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
- A. High protein, low sodium
- B. Low protein, high potassium
- C. Low sodium, low potassium
- D. High calcium, low phosphorus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A low sodium, low potassium diet is often recommended for patients with CKD to manage fluid balance and prevent electrolyte imbalances that the kidneys can no longer regulate effectively. High protein diets, as mentioned in choice A, can put extra strain on the kidneys, making it an incorrect choice. Choice B, which suggests a low protein, high potassium diet, is also incorrect because high potassium levels can be harmful to individuals with CKD. Choice D, advocating for a high calcium, low phosphorus diet, is not the typical dietary recommendation for CKD patients, even though managing calcium and phosphorus levels is important in their diet.
What is the primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?
- A. To transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues
- B. To protect the body from infections
- C. To help in blood clotting
- D. To regulate body temperature
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and return carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it in the body's tissues. Choice B is incorrect because hemoglobin is not involved in protecting the body from infections. Choice C is incorrect because blood clotting is mainly facilitated by platelets and clotting factors, not hemoglobin. Choice D is incorrect because the regulation of body temperature is mainly controlled by processes like sweating and shivering, not by hemoglobin.
The nurse is teaching a pregnant client how to distinguish prelabor contractions from true labor contractions. Which statement about prelabor contractions is accurate?
- A. They are irregular
- B. They are usually felt in the abdomen
- C. They start in the back and radiate to the abdomen
- D. They become more intense during walking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct statement about prelabor contractions (Braxton Hicks contractions) is that they are usually felt in the abdomen. They are irregular in nature and do not intensify with movement. Choice A is incorrect because prelabor contractions are irregular, not regular. Choice C is incorrect as prelabor contractions do not start in the back and radiate to the abdomen. Choice D is incorrect as prelabor contractions do not become more intense during walking.
A client is post-operative day one following an open cholecystectomy. The nurse notices the client's drainage from the T-tube is dark green. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
- A. Document the finding as normal.
- B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- C. Decrease the suction on the T-tube.
- D. Flush the T-tube with saline to ensure patency.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dark green drainage from a T-tube after a cholecystectomy is bile, which is an expected finding. Bile is normally dark green in color. It is important for the nurse to recognize this as a normal post-operative occurrence and document the finding. There is no need to notify the healthcare provider immediately as this finding is an anticipated part of the client's recovery. Decreasing the suction on the T-tube or flushing it with saline is unnecessary and may not be indicated based on the color of the drainage. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse to take is to document the dark green drainage as a normal finding.