A client presents to the labor and delivery unit with a report of leaking fluid that is greenish-brown vaginal discharge. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
- B. Begin continuous fetal monitoring
- C. Check the amniotic fluid pH
- D. Assess maternal vital signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Greenish-brown discharge likely indicates meconium in the amniotic fluid, which poses a risk to the fetus. Continuous fetal monitoring should be initiated immediately to assess for signs of fetal distress. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid can lead to meconium aspiration syndrome in the newborn, so timely monitoring is crucial. Checking the amniotic fluid pH can help confirm the presence of meconium but is not the priority over fetal monitoring. Assessing maternal vital signs is important but secondary to monitoring the fetal well-being in this urgent situation. Notifying the healthcare provider can follow once the immediate fetal assessment is underway.
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A nurse is working with a new graduate nurse on the delegation of tasks to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task would the new nurse need more teaching about delegating?
- A. Taking a client's blood pressure
- B. Providing oral hygiene for a client
- C. Assessing a client's pain level
- D. Assisting a client with ambulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assessing a client's pain level. This task involves clinical judgment and interpretation, which are within the scope of a licensed nurse's practice. Delegating pain assessment to unlicensed personnel could lead to errors in pain management and inappropriate interventions. Choices A, B, and D involve tasks that can be safely delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel as they do not involve interpretation or nursing judgment. Taking a client's blood pressure, providing oral hygiene, and assisting with ambulation are all routine tasks that can be appropriately assigned to UAP under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
A client with Addison's disease becomes confused and weak. What is the nurse's first action?
- A. Administer a dose of hydrocortisone immediately.
- B. Check the client's electrolyte levels.
- C. Administer a dose of normal saline.
- D. Measure the client's blood pressure in both arms.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a dose of hydrocortisone immediately. In Addison's disease, confusion and weakness can be signs of an adrenal crisis. Administering hydrocortisone promptly is crucial to prevent further deterioration. Checking electrolyte levels (Choice B) is important but not the first action in managing an acute adrenal crisis. Administering normal saline (Choice C) is not the priority in this situation. Measuring blood pressure in both arms (Choice D) is not the initial action needed to address the client's confusion and weakness in Addison's disease.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with chronic venous insufficiency. Which recommendation should the nurse include to help prevent complications?
- A. Use a heating pad on the legs
- B. Wear compression stockings
- C. Massage the legs daily
- D. Elevate legs for 10 minutes every hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct recommendation for a client with chronic venous insufficiency to prevent complications is to wear compression stockings. Compression stockings help improve venous circulation and prevent the worsening of symptoms. While elevating the legs is also beneficial, the priority intervention in preventing complications is wearing compression stockings. Using a heating pad on the legs can actually worsen the condition by dilating blood vessels, and massaging the legs daily can potentially damage fragile skin in clients with chronic venous insufficiency.
Which foods should a healthcare provider recommend for a child with phenylketonuria (PKU) to avoid?
- A. Fresh fruit and vegetables
- B. Foods sweetened with aspartame
- C. Bread with honey
- D. Gluten-rich bread
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Foods sweetened with aspartame.' Children with PKU must avoid foods containing aspartame because it breaks down into phenylalanine, which can worsen their condition. Choice A, fresh fruit and vegetables, are generally healthy and safe for individuals with PKU. Choice C, bread with honey, is also safe unless the bread contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Choice D, gluten-rich bread, is not specifically problematic for individuals with PKU unless it contains aspartame or other substances high in phenylalanine.
During an acute exacerbation of asthma, what is the nurse's first action for a client experiencing this condition?
- A. Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed.
- B. Check the client's oxygen saturation.
- C. Reassure the client and encourage deep breathing.
- D. Provide emotional support to reduce anxiety.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct first action when managing an acute exacerbation of asthma is to administer a bronchodilator as prescribed. Bronchodilators help open the airways and improve breathing in individuals experiencing an asthma exacerbation. Checking oxygen saturation (Choice B) is important but not the first action. Reassuring the client and encouraging deep breathing (Choice C) can be beneficial but should come after administering the bronchodilator. Providing emotional support to reduce anxiety (Choice D) is important but is not the initial priority in managing an acute exacerbation of asthma.