Nokea
A client who is post-operative from a bowel resection is experiencing abdominal distention and pain. The nurse notices the client has not passed gas or had a bowel movement. What should the nurse assess first?
- A. The client's bowel sounds.
- B. The client's fluid intake.
- C. The client's pain level.
- D. The client's surgical incision.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing bowel sounds is crucial in this situation as it helps determine if the client's gastrointestinal tract is functioning properly. Absent or hypoactive bowel sounds can indicate an ileus, a common post-operative complication. Assessing fluid intake (Choice B) is important but should come after assessing bowel sounds. Pain assessment (Choice C) is essential but addressing the physiological issue should take precedence. Checking the surgical incision (Choice D) is relevant but not the priority when the client is experiencing abdominal distention and potential gastrointestinal complications.
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In obtaining an orthostatic vital sign measurement, what action should the nurse take first?
- A. Count the client's radial pulse
- B. Apply a blood pressure cuff
- C. Instruct the client to lie supine
- D. Assist the client to stand upright
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct first action when obtaining an orthostatic vital sign measurement is to instruct the client to lie supine. This allows for establishing a baseline measurement of vital signs before any positional changes. Counting the client's radial pulse (Choice A) is a step that follows after the initial supine position to assess changes in pulse rate. Applying a blood pressure cuff (Choice B) and assisting the client to stand upright (Choice D) are actions that come later in the process after the baseline measurements are obtained in the supine position.
In which type of cardiomyopathy does septal involvement occur?
- A. Congestive
- B. Dilated
- C. Hypertrophic
- D. Restrictive
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Septal involvement is a characteristic feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the septal wall of the heart thickens. This thickening can obstruct blood flow out of the heart, leading to complications such as arrhythmias and heart failure. This differentiates it from other types of cardiomyopathy. In congestive cardiomyopathy (choice A), the heart's chambers become enlarged and weakened, but there is no specific mention of septal involvement. Dilated cardiomyopathy (choice B) involves dilation and impaired contraction of the heart chambers, not specifically septal thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (choice D) is characterized by stiffening of the heart muscle, affecting its ability to fill properly, without direct involvement of the septum.
A client is post-operative day one following a colostomy surgery. The nurse notices the stoma is dark purple. What is the most appropriate action?
- A. Document the finding and continue to monitor.
- B. Apply warm compresses to the stoma.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- D. Encourage the client to ambulate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A dark purple stoma may indicate compromised blood flow to the stoma, which is an emergency. Immediate notification of the healthcare provider is necessary to prevent further complications. Simply documenting and monitoring the finding (Choice A) could lead to delays in addressing a potentially serious issue. Applying warm compresses to the stoma (Choice B) may not address the underlying cause of the dark purple color. Encouraging the client to ambulate (Choice D) is not the priority when a compromised blood flow to the stoma is suspected.
An 8-year-old child is placed in 90-90 traction for a fractured femur. The nurse notices that the weights are touching the foot of the bed. What action should the nurse take?
- A. No bowel movement for two days
- B. Mother helps reposition the child
- C. Ensure weights are not touching the foot of the bed
- D. Child wiggles toes freely when tickled
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should ensure that the weights in traction are not touching the foot of the bed. This is crucial to maintain proper alignment and effectiveness of the traction. When the weights touch the bed, it can compromise the traction's function and delay healing. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not address the issue of ensuring that the weights are not touching the bed, which is essential for the traction to work effectively.
When caring for a patient with a chest tube, which nursing action is most important?
- A. Clamping the chest tube every 2 hours to prevent air leaks
- B. Keeping the drainage system below chest level
- C. Emptying the drainage system every hour to prevent backflow
- D. Removing the chest tube when drainage decreases significantly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most crucial nursing action when caring for a patient with a chest tube is to keep the drainage system below chest level (choice B). This position helps ensure proper drainage and prevents backflow of fluid or air into the pleural space, promoting optimal functioning of the chest tube. Clamping the chest tube every 2 hours (choice A) is incorrect as it can obstruct the drainage system and lead to complications. Emptying the drainage system every hour (choice C) is unnecessary unless there are specific clinical indications. Removing the chest tube when drainage decreases significantly (choice D) is also incorrect as the decision should be based on overall clinical assessment rather than drainage amount alone.