A client with a history of asthma is experiencing wheezing and shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed
- B. Encourage the client to drink fluids
- C. Place the client in an upright position
- D. Assess the client's peak flow rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator as prescribed is the priority nursing intervention for a client experiencing wheezing and shortness of breath due to asthma. Bronchodilators help relieve bronchoconstriction, allowing better airflow and improving breathing. Encouraging the client to drink fluids may be beneficial in certain situations, but it is not the priority when the client is in respiratory distress. Placing the client in an upright position, not supine, can facilitate easier breathing by allowing the chest to expand fully. While assessing the client's peak flow rate is important in asthma management, in this acute situation, the priority is to provide immediate relief by administering the bronchodilator.
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The client with a diagnosis of hypertension is being taught about lifestyle changes. Which recommendation is most important to include?
- A. Increase sodium intake.
- B. Engage in regular physical activity.
- C. Avoid foods high in fat.
- D. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Engaging in regular physical activity is crucial for individuals with hypertension as it helps lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Physical activity is known to have a significant impact on reducing hypertension and overall cardiovascular risk. Choice A, increasing sodium intake, is incorrect as reducing sodium is typically recommended for hypertension to help lower blood pressure. Choice C, avoiding foods high in fat, is beneficial for overall health but not the most crucial recommendation for hypertension management. Choice D, limiting fluid intake to 1 liter per day, is not a standard recommendation for hypertension unless advised by a healthcare provider for specific cases. Therefore, the most important recommendation for the client with hypertension is to engage in regular physical activity.
A client is prescribed warfarin for the prevention of thromboembolism. What dietary instruction should the nurse provide?
- A. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables
- B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
- C. Avoid all foods containing vitamin K
- D. Consume a high-protein diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Maintaining a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods is important for patients taking warfarin as it helps keep the effects of the medication stable. Choice A is incorrect because while green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, they should not be avoided completely but rather consumed consistently. Choice C is also incorrect as avoiding all foods containing vitamin K can lead to fluctuations in warfarin's effectiveness. Choice D is incorrect as a high-protein diet is not specifically recommended for patients taking warfarin.
The nurse is caring for a client who has just received a blood transfusion. The client reports chills and back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Slow down the rate of the transfusion
- B. Administer an antipyretic
- C. Stop the transfusion immediately
- D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chills and back pain are signs of a possible transfusion reaction, which can indicate severe complications like a hemolytic reaction or sepsis. The priority action for the nurse is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further harm to the client. Slowing the rate of the transfusion or administering an antipyretic will not address the underlying cause of the reaction and could potentially worsen the client's condition. Notifying the healthcare provider should be done after ensuring the client's immediate safety by stopping the transfusion.
A client with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) is prescribed nitroglycerin. What is the primary action of this medication?
- A. Increases heart rate
- B. Lowers blood pressure
- C. Dilates coronary arteries
- D. Reduces myocardial oxygen demand
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. This helps increase oxygen supply to the heart tissue. Option A, 'Increases heart rate,' is incorrect because nitroglycerin does not directly affect heart rate. Option B, 'Lowers blood pressure,' is also incorrect as while nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure, its primary action in the context of MI is related to coronary artery dilation. Option D, 'Reduces myocardial oxygen demand,' is not the primary action of nitroglycerin in the treatment of myocardial infarction; its main action is to increase oxygen supply by dilating coronary arteries.
The nurse is caring for a client who is NPO (nothing by mouth) due to a small bowel obstruction. Which nursing intervention is most important?
- A. Monitor bowel sounds
- B. Provide frequent oral care
- C. Encourage ambulation
- D. Measure abdominal girth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Providing frequent oral care is crucial when a client is NPO to ensure comfort and prevent drying of the oral mucosa. In this situation, the priority is maintaining oral hygiene to prevent complications such as oral mucosa breakdown. Monitoring bowel sounds may be important in assessing bowel activity, but it is not the priority when the client is NPO due to a small bowel obstruction. Encouraging ambulation can be beneficial for other conditions, but in this case, oral care takes precedence. Measuring abdominal girth is more relevant for assessing abdominal distention, which is not the priority when the client is NPO. Therefore, the most important nursing intervention is to provide frequent oral care.