Nokea
A client undergoes a subtotal thyroidectomy. The nurse ensures that which priority item is at the client's bedside upon arrival from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)?
- A. An apnea monitor
- B. A suction unit and oxygen
- C. A blood transfusion warmer
- D. An ampule of phytonadione
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After thyroidectomy, respiratory distress can occur from tetany, tissue swelling, or hemorrhage. It is important to have oxygen and suction equipment readily available and in working order if such an emergency were to arise. Apnea is not a problem associated with thyroidectomy, unless the client experienced respiratory arrest. Blood transfusions can be administered without a warmer, if necessary. Phytonadione would not be administered for a client who is hemorrhaging, unless deficiencies in clotting factors warrant its administration.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is preparing the client's morning prescribed NPH insulin dose and notices a clumpy precipitate inside the insulin vial. Which action should the nurse implement?
- A. Draw the dose from a new vial.
- B. Draw up and administer the dose.
- C. Shake the vial in an attempt to disperse the clumps.
- D. Warm the bottle under running water to dissolve the clump.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should always inspect the vial of insulin before use for solution changes that may signify loss of potency. NPH insulin is normally uniformly cloudy. Clumping, frosting, and precipitates are signs of insulin damage. In this situation, because potency is questionable, it is safer to discard the vial and draw up the dose from a new vial.
Which client should the nurse safely assign to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
- A. A client requiring dressing changes
- B. A client requiring frequent ambulation
- C. A client on a bowel management program requiring rectal suppositories
- D. A client newly admitted with nausea, vomiting, and moderate neck pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assignment of tasks to UAP needs to be made based on job description, level of clinical competence, and state law. The client described in option 2 has needs, frequent ambulation, that can be met by UAP. Options 1, 3, and 4 involve care that requires the skill of a licensed nurse.
A client has a prescription for valproic acid 250 mg once daily. To maximize the client's safety, which time is best for the nurse to schedule administration of the medication?
- A. With lunch
- B. With breakfast
- C. Before breakfast
- D. At bedtime with a snack
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant that causes central nervous system (CNS) depression. For this reason, the side and adverse effects include sedation, dizziness, ataxia, and confusion. When the client is taking this medication as a single daily dose, administering it at bedtime negates the risk of injury from sedation and enhances client safety. Otherwise, it may be given after meals to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
The nurse has a prescription to get the client out of bed to a chair on the first postoperative day after total knee replacement surgery. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to plan to implement to protect the knee joint?
- A. Applying both ice and a compression dressing to the knee while sitting.
- B. Obtaining a walker to minimize weight-bearing by the client on the affected leg.
- C. First applying a knee immobilizer and then elevating the affect leg while sitting.
- D. Lifting the client to the bedside chair, leaving the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine in place.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After a total knee replacement, as prescribed, the nurse assists the client to get out of bed on the first postoperative day after putting a knee immobilizer on the affected joint to provide stability. The leg is elevated while the client is sitting in the chair to minimize edema. A compression dressing should already be in place on the wound. Ice is not used unless prescribed. The surgeon prescribes the weight-bearing limits on the affected leg. A CPM machine is used only while the client is in bed and is initiated when prescribed.
A client with a history of silicosis is admitted diagnosed with respiratory distress and impending respiratory failure. The nurse should plan to have which intervention supplies/equipment readily available at the client's bedside to ensure a safe environment?
- A. Code cart
- B. Intubation tray
- C. Thoracentesis tray
- D. Chest tube and drainage system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory failure occurs when insufficient oxygen is transported to the blood or inadequate carbon dioxide is removed from the lungs and the client's compensatory mechanisms fail. The client with impending respiratory failure may need intubation and mechanical ventilation. The nurse ensures that an intubation tray is readily available. The other items are not needed at the client's bedside. A code cart is used for resuscitation. A thoracentesis tray contains the necessary items for performing a thoracentesis. A chest tube drainage system is used to treat a pneumothorax.