A client with rheumatoid arthritis is experiencing morning stiffness. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Encourage the client to avoid physical activity in the morning.
- B. Encourage the client to take NSAIDs before bedtime.
- C. Apply cold packs to the affected joints in the morning.
- D. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises before getting out of bed.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take is to apply cold packs to the affected joints in the morning. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation, and applying cold packs can help reduce inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Encouraging the client to avoid physical activity in the morning (Choice A) may worsen stiffness, as movement is beneficial for joint mobility. While NSAIDs (Choice B) can help with pain and inflammation, applying cold packs directly to the affected joints is more targeted and effective. Performing passive range-of-motion exercises (Choice D) can be helpful, but applying cold packs is the priority for reducing inflammation and stiffness.
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A patient refused a newly open fentanyl patch. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Ask another nurse to witness the disposal of the new patch
- B. Dispose of the patch in a sharps container
- C. Send the patch back to the pharmacy
- D. Document the refusal and remove the patch
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when a patient refuses a newly open fentanyl patch is to ask another nurse to witness the disposal of the new patch. This is essential for accountability and ensuring proper disposal procedures are followed. Choice B is incorrect because disposing of the patch in a sharps container without a witness does not ensure proper accountability. Choice C is incorrect as sending the patch back to the pharmacy is not the appropriate action for disposal. Choice D is incorrect because although documenting the refusal is important, it is also crucial to ensure proper disposal of the unused patch by having another nurse witness it.
Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving insulin therapy?
- A. Monitor blood glucose
- B. Monitor potassium levels
- C. Monitor calcium levels
- D. Monitor sodium levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor blood glucose levels. When a patient is receiving insulin therapy, it is crucial to monitor blood glucose levels regularly to prevent hypoglycemia, a potential side effect of insulin therapy. Monitoring potassium, calcium, or sodium levels is important for different medical conditions or treatments and is not directly related to insulin therapy.
A client has had a nasogastric tube in place for 2 days. Which of the following findings indicates that the client has developed an adverse effect?
- A. Dry mucous membranes
- B. Polyuria
- C. Epistaxis
- D. Diarrhea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Epistaxis.' Epistaxis (nosebleed) is a common adverse effect of prolonged nasogastric tube insertion due to irritation of the nasal mucosa. Dry mucous membranes (choice A) may indicate dehydration but are not a direct adverse effect of nasogastric tube insertion. Polyuria (choice B) is excessive urination and is not typically associated with nasogastric tube insertion. Diarrhea (choice D) is also not a common adverse effect of having a nasogastric tube in place.
What is the best dietary recommendation for a patient with chronic liver disease?
- A. Low protein diet
- B. High protein diet
- C. Low sodium diet
- D. High sodium diet
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The best dietary recommendation for a patient with chronic liver disease is a low protein diet. In liver disease, the liver may have difficulty processing protein, leading to the accumulation of toxins like ammonia in the body. A low protein diet helps reduce the burden on the liver and minimizes the production of these harmful substances. High protein diets can exacerbate the condition by increasing the workload on the liver. A low sodium diet (Choice C) is also important for liver disease patients as excess sodium can contribute to fluid retention and swelling, but reducing protein intake is the primary focus in these cases.
A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a hip arthroplasty. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
- A. Heart rate of 90/min
- B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
- C. Warmth and redness in the calf
- D. Pink-tinged urine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, warmth and redness in the calf. These symptoms may indicate a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication following hip arthroplasty that requires immediate attention. A heart rate of 90/min and blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg are within normal ranges for a postoperative client and do not indicate an urgent issue. Pink-tinged urine may suggest blood in the urine, which should be monitored but is not as critical as the potential DVT.