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A client receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer reports dry, peeling skin at the treatment site. What action should the nurse recommend?
- A. Apply lotion to the treatment area.
- B. Use mild soap and water to cleanse the area.
- C. Cover the area with a sterile dressing.
- D. Allow the skin to air dry after washing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct recommendation for a client with dry, peeling skin at a radiation therapy treatment site is to use mild soap and water to cleanse the area. This approach helps in preventing skin irritation and reduces the risk of infection. Applying lotion (Choice A) may further irritate the skin due to the chemicals present in the lotion. Covering the area with a sterile dressing (Choice C) is not necessary unless there is an open wound that needs protection. Allowing the skin to air dry after washing (Choice D) may lead to further dryness and peeling.
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The nurse is caring for a client with an acute myocardial infarction. Which symptom requires immediate intervention?
- A. Dizziness
- B. Shortness of breath
- C. Severe chest pain
- D. Nausea and vomiting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe chest pain is the hallmark symptom of an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and requires immediate intervention to prevent further damage to the heart muscle. Chest pain in this context is often described as crushing, pressure, tightness, or heaviness. It can radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen. Other symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting may also occur in acute myocardial infarction, but chest pain is the most critical sign requiring prompt action as it signifies inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle. Shortness of breath may indicate heart failure, while nausea and vomiting can be associated with the sympathetic response to myocardial infarction. Dizziness could result from decreased cardiac output but is not as specific to myocardial infarction as severe chest pain.
Prior to administering warfarin to a client with a history of atrial fibrillation, what lab result should the nurse review?
- A. White blood cell count.
- B. Prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR).
- C. Hemoglobin and hematocrit.
- D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR). These lab values are crucial for monitoring the effectiveness of warfarin, an anticoagulant medication. PT measures the time it takes for blood to clot, while INR standardizes these results. Ensuring the client's PT/INR levels are within the therapeutic range is essential to prevent clotting or excessive bleeding. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly related to monitoring warfarin therapy in a client with atrial fibrillation.
The nurse is caring for a client who had a myocardial infarction 6 hours ago. The primary goal of care at this time is to
- A. Limit the effects of tissue damage
- B. Relieve pain and anxiety
- C. Prevent arrhythmias
- D. Reduce anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Limit the effects of tissue damage.' After a myocardial infarction, the primary goal of care is to limit the damage to the heart muscle. This includes interventions to improve blood flow, oxygenation, and prevent further complications. Choice B ('Relieve pain and anxiety') is important but secondary to addressing tissue damage. Choice C ('Prevent arrhythmias') is also crucial but falls under the broader goal of limiting tissue damage. Choice D ('Reduce anxiety') is essential for holistic care but is not the primary goal immediately after a myocardial infarction.
Following a lumbar puncture, a client complains of worsening headache when sitting up. What complication is the client likely experiencing?
- A. A migraine headache
- B. An infection from the puncture site
- C. Low blood sugar
- D. Spinal fluid leakage (post-lumbar puncture headache)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client is likely experiencing spinal fluid leakage (post-lumbar puncture headache), a common complication of a lumbar puncture. This leakage results in a reduction of cerebrospinal fluid volume around the brain and spinal cord, leading to a headache that worsens when in an upright position due to reduced buoyancy. A migraine headache (Choice A) is not typically associated with a lumbar puncture. Infection from the puncture site (Choice B) would present with localized signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling, and warmth, rather than worsening headache. Low blood sugar (Choice C) is not a common complication of lumbar puncture and would not typically manifest as a worsening headache when sitting up.
A client with hypocalcemia is receiving calcium gluconate. What assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Decreased deep tendon reflexes.
- B. Wheezing and stridor.
- C. Decreased bowel sounds.
- D. Positive Chvostek's sign.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wheezing and stridor may indicate a severe allergic reaction to calcium gluconate, such as anaphylaxis, which requires immediate intervention. While hypocalcemia can present with decreased deep tendon reflexes and positive Chvostek's sign, these findings do not indicate an immediate life-threatening situation. Decreased bowel sounds are not directly related to a severe reaction to calcium gluconate and do not require immediate intervention.