A client was struck on the head by a baseball bat during a robbery attempt. The nurse gives shift report to the oncoming nurse and conveys that the client's current Glasgow Coma Scale score is a '10.' Which other information is most important for the reporting nurse to include?
- A. Client's blood pressure was 120/80 mm Hg and pulse was 82/min recently
- B. Client's Glasgow Coma Scale score was '11' one hour ago
- C. Client believes that the current surroundings are a racetrack
- D. Client is allergic to penicillin and vancomycin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale score from 11 to 10 in one hour indicates worsening neurological status, possibly due to increasing intracranial pressure, requiring urgent reporting.
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A client has just been diagnosed with diabetes and is admitted for insulin regulation. The client asks the nurse, 'Why do I need to be stuck so many times per day?' Which of the following statements best explains the rationale for checking the client's blood glucose level frequently?
- A. Blood glucose levels need to be checked every hour to ensure constant insulin needs.'
- B. Any fluctuation in blood glucose levels must be avoided.'
- C. Blood glucose levels are checked to be able to adjust the dosage of your insulin.'
- D. Elevations in glucose can result in alkalosis.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Frequent blood glucose checks allow for insulin dose adjustments to maintain glycemic control. Hourly checks are excessive, fluctuations are managed not avoided, and alkalosis is unrelated to glucose elevations.
The mother of a boy who has recently been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia is pregnant and asks the nurse if her unborn baby will have sickle cell anemia. What information should the nurse include in the answer?
- A. Sickle cell anemia is a contagious disease, but your child should no longer be communicable by the time the baby is born.
- B. When both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance that each child will have sickle cell anemia.
- C. Your sons have a 50% chance of having sickle cell anemia, but daughters can only be carriers.
- D. The next child should be disease free, but additional children have a chance of being born with the disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sickle cell anemia is autosomal recessive; if both parents are carriers, each child has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease, regardless of sex or birth order.
A client's admission urinalysis shows the specific gravity value of 1.039. Which of the following assessment data would the nurse expect to find when assessing this client?
- A. Moist mucous membranes
- B. Urinary frequency
- C. Poor skin turgor
- D. Increased blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor skin turgor. The specific gravity value is high, indicating dehydration. Poor skin turgor (tenting of the skin) is consistent with this problem.
A client with a below-the-knee amputation is experiencing phantom limb pain. Which action by the nurse would be most effective in relieving the pain?
- A. Acknowledging the presence of the pain
- B. Elevating the stump on a pillow
- C. Applying a transcutaneous nerve stimulator unit (TENS)
- D. Rewrapping the stump
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Applying a TENS unit can help relieve phantom limb pain by stimulating nerves and reducing pain signals. Acknowledging the pain is supportive but does not directly relieve it. Elevating the stump may help with swelling but not specifically phantom pain. Rewrapping the stump may provide comfort but is less effective than TENS for pain relief.
A nurse has received report from the off-going shift that a client is confused and has been identified as a high risk for falls. The nurse shares this information with the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which finding by the nurse requires intervention?
- A. UAP has attached a bed alarm to the client's gown and bed
- B. UAP has been making hourly rounds on the client
- C. UAP has lowered the bed and raised all 4 side rails
- D. UAP has placed a fall risk ID bracelet on the client's wrist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Raising all four side rails is a restraint and can increase fall risk if the client attempts to climb over them. It also violates standards of care unless specifically prescribed.