A client with a history of coronary artery disease is experiencing chest pain. What is the priority action for the LPN/LVN to take?
- A. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually.
- B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
- C. Measure the client's vital signs.
- D. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin sublingually. Administering nitroglycerin sublingually is the priority action for a client with chest pain and a history of coronary artery disease. Nitroglycerin helps dilate the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle and providing rapid relief of chest pain. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG, measuring vital signs, and administering oxygen are important actions but should follow the administration of nitroglycerin in the management of chest pain in a client with coronary artery disease.
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A nurse is reviewing evidence-based practice principles about the administration of oxygen therapy with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?
- A. Regulate oxygen via nasal cannula at a flow rate no more than 6 L/min
- B. Administer oxygen at a higher flow rate for better saturation
- C. Use a high-flow nasal cannula for all clients
- D. Adjust oxygen flow based on client comfort
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Regulating oxygen flow at no more than 6 L/min via nasal cannula is a safe practice to prevent potential complications such as oxygen toxicity. Option B suggesting administering oxygen at a higher flow rate for better saturation is incorrect as it can lead to adverse effects. Option C is incorrect because using a high-flow nasal cannula for all clients is not necessary and should be based on individual client needs. Option D is incorrect as adjusting oxygen flow solely based on client comfort without considering the prescribed flow rate can compromise the effectiveness of oxygen therapy.
The client with a diagnosis of chronic heart failure is receiving discharge teaching. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I will weigh myself every day at the same time.
- B. I will call my doctor if my legs swell more.
- C. I will take my water pill only when I feel short of breath.
- D. I will limit the amount of salt in my diet.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Taking water pills (diuretics) only when feeling short of breath is incorrect. Diuretics should be taken regularly as prescribed to help manage fluid retention in chronic heart failure. This statement indicates a need for further teaching as the client needs to understand the importance of consistent medication adherence. Choices A, B, and D demonstrate good understanding of self-care management in heart failure, including daily weight monitoring, prompt reporting of worsening symptoms to the healthcare provider, and dietary sodium restriction, respectively.
A nurse is preparing to provide tracheostomy care for a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Perform hand hygiene
- B. Identify the client using two identifiers
- C. Prepare the sterile field
- D. Don sterile gloves
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Performing hand hygiene is essential before any direct patient care procedure to prevent the spread of infection. Proper hand hygiene helps reduce the risk of introducing harmful microorganisms to the client, especially when dealing with a procedure like tracheostomy care. Identifying the client, preparing the sterile field, and donning sterile gloves are all important steps in tracheostomy care, but hand hygiene precedes them to maintain asepsis and ensure patient safety.
A postoperative client has been diagnosed with paralytic ileus. When performing auscultation of the client's abdomen, the nurse expects the bowel sounds to be:
- A. Absent
- B. Hyperactive
- C. Normal
- D. Hypoactive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In paralytic ileus, bowel sounds are typically absent or significantly reduced due to decreased motility of the intestines. This absence of bowel sounds is a key characteristic used in diagnosing paralytic ileus. Hyperactive bowel sounds are not expected in this condition as there is a lack of normal peristalsis. Normal bowel sounds would not be present in paralytic ileus, and hypoactive bowel sounds, which indicate decreased bowel motility, are more commonly associated with conditions like postoperative ileus or constipation, rather than paralytic ileus.
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.