A client with acute pancreatitis is receiving nothing by mouth (NPO) status. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer antiemetic medication as prescribed.
- B. Monitor the client's intake and output.
- C. Provide mouth care to keep the client comfortable.
- D. Elevate the client's head of the bed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the client's intake and output. When a client with acute pancreatitis is on NPO status, the nurse's priority intervention is to monitor the client's intake and output. This is crucial to assess for signs of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and to ensure the client is responding appropriately to treatment. Administering antiemetic medication (choice A) may be necessary for managing nausea and vomiting but is not the priority over monitoring intake and output. Providing mouth care (choice C) and elevating the client's head of the bed (choice D) are important aspects of care but do not take precedence over monitoring intake and output to prevent complications in clients with NPO status due to acute pancreatitis.
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What is the most important assessment for a nurse to conduct on a child diagnosed with intussusception?
- A. Monitor for signs of infection.
- B. Measure abdominal girth and monitor for pain.
- C. Check for bowel movement and changes in stool.
- D. Assess hydration status and monitor urine output.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Check for bowel movement and changes in stool.' Intussusception can cause obstruction in the bowel, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, and 'currant jelly' stools. Monitoring for changes in bowel movement, especially the passage of 'currant jelly' stools, is crucial for early detection of worsening conditions. Choices A, B, and D are important assessments in pediatric care but are not as specific or crucial as checking for changes in bowel movement in a child diagnosed with intussusception.
A client with type 1 diabetes is admitted to the emergency room with abdominal pain, polyuria, and confusion. What should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer intravenous insulin.
- B. Start an intravenous fluid bolus.
- C. Obtain a blood glucose level.
- D. Administer an antiemetic.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should first start an intravenous fluid bolus. This intervention is crucial in addressing severe dehydration associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes. Administering intravenous insulin (Choice A) is important but should follow fluid resuscitation. Obtaining a blood glucose level (Choice C) is necessary but not as urgent as addressing the dehydration. Administering an antiemetic (Choice D) is not the priority in this situation.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of septic shock. Which assessment finding indicates that the client's condition is deteriorating?
- A. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
- B. Temperature of 99.5°F (37.5°C)
- C. Blood pressure of 88/52 mmHg
- D. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A blood pressure of 88/52 mmHg indicates hypotension, which is a sign of worsening septic shock. Hypotension can lead to organ failure and requires immediate intervention. Elevated heart rate (choice A), mild fever (choice B), and slightly increased respiratory rate (choice D) are common in septic shock and may not necessarily indicate a deteriorating condition as much as hypotension does.
A client with type 1 diabetes reports blurry vision. What is the most important assessment the nurse should perform?
- A. Assess the client's most recent blood glucose levels.
- B. Check the client's hemoglobin A1C level.
- C. Check the client's blood pressure for signs of hypertension.
- D. Examine the client's feet for signs of neuropathy.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blurry vision in clients with type 1 diabetes may indicate hyperglycemia, which requires prompt assessment of recent blood glucose levels to determine the cause and appropriate intervention. Checking the client's hemoglobin A1C level (Choice B) is useful for assessing long-term glucose control, not for immediate management of blurry vision. Monitoring blood pressure (Choice C) is important in diabetes care but is not the most crucial assessment when blurry vision is reported. Examining the client's feet for signs of neuropathy (Choice D) is important in diabetic foot care but is not the priority when dealing with blurry vision.
A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
- B. Restrict fluid intake to manage fluid overload.
- C. Position the client in Fowler's position and assess for respiratory distress.
- D. Measure the client's abdominal girth daily.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Restrict fluid intake to manage fluid overload. In a client with cirrhosis developing ascites, the priority intervention is to restrict fluid intake. This helps manage fluid overload, prevent further complications, such as respiratory distress or kidney impairment, and reduce the accumulation of ascitic fluid. Administering diuretics may be a part of the treatment plan, but the primary focus should be on fluid restriction. Positioning the client in Fowler's position and measuring the abdominal girth are important interventions but not the priority when managing ascites in cirrhosis.