A client returns to the unit after a neck dissection. The surgeon placed a Jackson-Pratt drain in the wound. When assessing the wound drainage over the first 24 postoperative hours, what finding would prompt the nurse to notify the health care provider immediately?
- A. Presence of small blood clots in the drainage
- B. 60 mL of milky or cloudy drainage
- C. Spots of drainage on the dressings surrounding the drain
- D. 120 mL of serosanguinous drainage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 60 mL of milky or cloudy drainage. This finding could indicate the presence of an infection, which is a serious complication post-neck dissection. Milky or cloudy drainage may contain pus, indicating the need for immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
A: Presence of small blood clots in the drainage is relatively common and may not necessarily indicate a problem unless there are large clots or excessive bleeding.
C: Spots of drainage on the dressings surrounding the drain are expected and do not necessarily warrant immediate notification unless there is excessive leakage.
D: 120 mL of serosanguinous drainage is within the expected range for the first 24 hours postoperatively and may not be a cause for immediate concern unless there are other symptoms present.
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A client with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching?
- A. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
- B. Take the medication with a full meal.
- C. Increase your intake of high-fiber foods.
- D. Avoid exposure to sunlight.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Methotrexate can cause liver toxicity, and alcohol consumption can exacerbate this risk. It is important for the client to avoid alcohol to prevent potential harm to the liver.
B: Taking the medication with a full meal is not a necessary instruction for methotrexate. It is typically recommended to take methotrexate on an empty stomach.
C: Increasing intake of high-fiber foods is not directly related to methotrexate therapy. It is important for overall health but not specifically for this medication.
D: Avoiding exposure to sunlight is not a common instruction for methotrexate. While some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight, this is not a typical concern with methotrexate.
The client is receiving intravenous vancomycin. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately?
- A. Red man syndrome.
- B. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
- C. Mild itching at the IV site.
- D. Nausea and vomiting.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Red man syndrome. This is a severe adverse reaction to vancomycin characterized by flushing, rash, hypotension, and tachycardia. It can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis. Immediate reporting is crucial for prompt intervention. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg is within normal range, mild itching at the IV site is common and can be managed topically, and nausea and vomiting are common side effects of vancomycin but are not life-threatening compared to Red man syndrome.
A client with diabetes has a new prescription for 14 units of regular insulin and 28 units of NPH insulin subcutaneously at breakfast daily. What is the total number of units of insulin that should be prepared in the insulin syringe?
- A. 42 units
- B. 14 units
- C. 28 units
- D. 32 units
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 42 units. To calculate the total number of units of insulin to be prepared in the syringe, you need to add the units of regular insulin (14 units) and NPH insulin (28 units). Therefore, 14 units + 28 units = 42 units. This is the total amount of insulin that should be drawn up and administered subcutaneously.
Summary of other choices:
B: 14 units - This is only the amount of regular insulin and doesn't include the NPH insulin.
C: 28 units - This is only the amount of NPH insulin and doesn't include the regular insulin.
D: 32 units - This is the sum of 14 units of regular insulin and 18 units of NPH insulin, which is incorrect as the NPH insulin prescribed is 28 units, not 18 units.
A 45-year-old obese man arrives at a clinic reporting daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep at night, and snoring. The nurse should recognize the manifestations of what health problem?
- A. Adenoiditis
- B. Chronic tonsillitis
- C. Obstructive sleep apnea
- D. Laryngeal cancer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obstructive sleep apnea. The patient's symptoms of daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep, and snoring are classic signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where the upper airway collapses during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. This results in poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue. Adenoiditis (choice A) and chronic tonsillitis (choice B) typically present with symptoms like sore throat and difficulty swallowing, which are not seen in this patient. Laryngeal cancer (choice D) would present with hoarseness, persistent cough, and difficulty swallowing, which are not mentioned in the patient's symptoms. Therefore, based on the patient's presentation, the most likely diagnosis is obstructive sleep apnea.
A 45-year-old woman presents with fatigue, pruritus, and jaundice. Laboratory tests reveal elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels. Imaging shows a normal common bile duct but dilated intrahepatic bile ducts. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Primary biliary cirrhosis
- B. Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- C. Gallstones
- D. Pancreatic cancer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis for the 45-year-old woman with fatigue, pruritus, jaundice, elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels, and dilated intrahepatic bile ducts is Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). PBC is an autoimmune liver disease that primarily affects middle-aged women, leading to bile duct destruction and liver damage. The elevated alkaline phosphatase levels and presence of pruritus are typical in PBC due to impaired bile flow. Imaging showing dilated intrahepatic bile ducts supports the diagnosis of PBC as it indicates bile duct damage.
Summary of other choices:
B: Primary sclerosing cholangitis typically presents with strictures and beading of bile ducts on imaging.
C: Gallstones would typically present with a common bile duct obstruction and not dilated intrahepatic bile ducts.
D: Pancreatic cancer would typically present with different imaging findings and symptoms such as