A client with a chest tube following thoracic surgery needs care. Which task should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel?
- A. Teach deep breathing and coughing to the client.
- B. Assist the client to select food choices from the menu.
- C. Evaluate the client's response to pain medication.
- D. Monitor the characteristics of the client's chest tube drainage.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assisting the client with food choices is a task that can be safely delegated to assistive personnel. This task does not require nursing judgment or specialized skills. Choices A, C, and D involve assessing the client's condition, response to treatment, and monitoring critical aspects of care, which are nursing responsibilities that necessitate specialized knowledge and judgment. Teaching deep breathing and coughing (A), evaluating pain medication response (C), and monitoring chest tube drainage (D) require a higher level of training and expertise that should be performed by the nurse.
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A client is prescribed a buccal medication. Which of the following client statements indicates that the client understands how to take this medication?
- A. "I will first dissolve the tablet in water."
- B. "I will insert the tablet between my cheek and teeth."
- C. "I will place the tablet under my tongue."
- D. "I will chew the tablet."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct way to take buccal medications is to insert the tablet between the cheek and gums where it will dissolve slowly. Option A is incorrect because buccal medications are not meant to be dissolved in water. Option C is incorrect as sublingual medications are placed under the tongue. Option D is incorrect because chewing a buccal tablet is not the correct administration method.
The nurse is preparing to assist a newly admitted client with personal hygiene measures. The nurse wants to assess the client's gag reflex. Which action should the nurse include?
- A. Offer small sips of water through a straw
- B. Place tongue blade on back half of tongue
- C. Use a penlight to observe back of the oral cavity
- D. Auscultate breath sounds after the client swallows
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to include when assessing the client's gag reflex is to place a tongue blade on the back half of the tongue. This method effectively tests the gag reflex without causing discomfort. Choice A is incorrect because offering small sips of water through a straw does not assess the gag reflex. Choice C is incorrect as using a penlight to observe the back of the oral cavity does not directly assess the gag reflex. Choice D is incorrect since auscultating breath sounds after the client swallows does not evaluate the gag reflex.
A client is about to undergo emergency abdominal surgery for appendicitis. A healthcare professional is demonstrating postoperative deep breathing and coughing exercises to the client. The healthcare professional realizes the client may be unprepared to learn if the client:
- A. Is not feeling well
- B. Reports severe pain
- C. Has low blood pressure
- D. Is anxious
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe pain can be a significant distraction and impediment to the learning process. When a client is experiencing severe pain, their focus and attention are primarily directed towards managing the pain, making it difficult for them to absorb and retain new information effectively. Options A, C, and D, although important considerations in a healthcare setting, do not directly impact the client's ability to learn in the same way that severe pain does. Not feeling well, low blood pressure, and anxiety are all factors that can be addressed or managed to facilitate learning, unlike severe pain which can significantly hinder the learning process.
A client scheduled for abdominal surgery reports being worried. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Offer information on a relaxation technique and ask if the client is interested in trying it.
- B. Request a social worker to see the client to discuss meditation.
- C. Attempt to use biofeedback techniques with the client.
- D. Tell the client many people feel the same way before surgery and to think of something else.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Offering relaxation techniques addresses the client's immediate concern by providing a proactive approach to managing anxiety. It shows empathy and offers a practical solution. Requesting a social worker for meditation (Choice B) may not be the most direct response to the client's immediate worry. Attempting biofeedback (Choice C) may not be suitable without the client's interest or consent. Telling the client to think of something else (Choice D) dismisses the client's feelings and does not provide constructive support.
When planning home care for a 72-year-old client with osteomyelitis requiring a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotics, what is the most important action by the nurse?
- A. Investigating the client's insurance coverage for home IV antibiotic therapy
- B. Determining if there are adequate hand washing facilities in the home
- C. Assessing the client's ability to participate in self-care and/or the reliability of a caregiver
- D. Selecting the appropriate venous access device
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessing the client's ability to participate in self-care or evaluating the reliability of a caregiver is crucial in ensuring adherence to the treatment plan. This action helps determine if the client can manage the intravenous antibiotics at home independently or if assistance is needed. Investigating insurance coverage, ensuring hand washing facilities, and selecting the venous access device are important aspects of care but assessing the client's ability for self-care and caregiver reliability takes precedence to promote treatment success and safety.