A client with acute pancreatitis is prescribed nothing by mouth (NPO). What should the nurse prioritize in this client's care?
- A. Administer oral pain medication.
- B. Monitor the client's intake and output.
- C. Monitor the client for signs of infection.
- D. Insert a nasogastric tube for decompression.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the client's intake and output. When a client with acute pancreatitis is prescribed nothing by mouth (NPO), the nurse should prioritize monitoring the client's intake and output. This is crucial for assessing the client's fluid balance and ensuring that they are not becoming dehydrated or developing complications related to fluid status. Option A is incorrect because oral pain medication should not be administered to a client who is NPO. Option C is not the priority at this time, although monitoring for infection is important in the overall care of the client. Option D is not the initial priority unless there are specific indications for decompression, which would be determined by the healthcare provider.
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After a lumbar puncture, a client reports a severe headache. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer a dose of acetaminophen.
- B. Elevate the head of the bed.
- C. Encourage the client to rest in a dark room.
- D. Administer caffeine to relieve the headache.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After a lumbar puncture, a severe headache is often caused by cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Elevating the head of the bed or having the client lie flat can reduce cerebrospinal fluid pressure and alleviate the headache. These positions help prevent further fluid loss and relieve discomfort. While acetaminophen or caffeine may help in relieving the headache, changing the client's position is the priority to address the underlying cause. Resting in a dark room may be beneficial for headache relief but is not the priority intervention compared to adjusting the position to manage cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
A client with cirrhosis is receiving lactulose. What is the most important assessment for the nurse to monitor?
- A. Monitor the client's ammonia levels.
- B. Monitor the client's blood glucose level.
- C. Monitor the client's potassium levels.
- D. Monitor the client's level of consciousness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's level of consciousness. Lactulose is used to reduce ammonia levels in hepatic encephalopathy. Monitoring the level of consciousness helps assess the effectiveness of lactulose therapy in improving the client's condition. Monitoring ammonia levels (choice A) is important, but assessing the client's response to therapy through their level of consciousness is more crucial. Blood glucose levels (choice B) and potassium levels (choice C) are not directly related to lactulose therapy for cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.
Why is it important for the healthcare provider to monitor blood pressure in clients receiving antipsychotic drugs?
- A. Orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect.
- B. Most antipsychotic drugs cause elevated blood pressure.
- C. This provides information on the amount of sodium allowed in the diet.
- D. It will indicate the need to institute antiparkinsonian drugs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Question: Monitoring blood pressure in clients receiving antipsychotic drugs is crucial because orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect. Orthostatic hypotension can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, increasing the risk of falls and related injuries. Therefore, regular blood pressure monitoring helps healthcare providers detect and manage this potential side effect.
Incorrect Choices Rationale:
- Choice B is incorrect because while antipsychotic drugs can have various side effects, causing elevated blood pressure is not a common effect associated with them.
- Choice C is unrelated to blood pressure monitoring in clients receiving antipsychotic drugs. Monitoring blood pressure in this context aims to detect and manage side effects of the medication, not to assess sodium intake.
- Choice D is incorrect as monitoring blood pressure in clients receiving antipsychotic drugs is primarily aimed at detecting orthostatic hypotension, not as an indicator for instituting antiparkinsonian drugs.
Following discharge teaching, a male client with a duodenal ulcer tells the nurse that he will drink plenty of dairy products, such as milk, to help coat and protect his ulcer. What is the best follow-up action by the nurse?
- A. Encourage the client to drink milk
- B. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and cream
- C. Instruct the client to take antacids instead
- D. Advise the client to monitor their symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client should be advised to avoid foods rich in milk and cream. Although they provide temporary relief, dairy products, especially milk, stimulate gastric acid secretion, which can exacerbate the symptoms of a duodenal ulcer. Encouraging the client to drink milk (Choice A) would be counterproductive and could worsen the condition. Instructing the client to take antacids (Choice C) may provide symptomatic relief but does not address the root cause of the issue. Advising the client to monitor their symptoms (Choice D) is vague and does not provide specific guidance on managing the duodenal ulcer. Therefore, the best action is to review with the client the need to avoid foods rich in milk and cream to ensure proper ulcer management.
A client in heart failure (HF) presents with weakness and poor urine output. Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
- A. Heart rate of 122 bpm and respiratory rate of 28.
- B. Yellow sputum expectorated.
- C. Temperature of 100.5°F (38.1°C).
- D. Shortness of breath on exertion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An elevated temperature may indicate infection and should be treated immediately in a client with heart failure.
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