Nokea
A healthcare professional is admitting a client who has decreased circulation in his left leg. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take first?
- A. Evaluate pedal pulses
- B. Assess skin temperature
- C. Check for capillary refill
- D. Measure the leg circumference
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Evaluating pedal pulses should be the first action taken as it provides immediate information about circulation. This assessment helps in determining the adequacy of blood flow in the client's leg. Assessing skin temperature, checking for capillary refill, and measuring leg circumference are important assessments; however, evaluating pedal pulses is the most crucial initial step in this scenario. Skin temperature assessment and capillary refill check can provide additional valuable information about perfusion, while measuring leg circumference is useful in monitoring for edema. Therefore, for a client with decreased circulation in the left leg, evaluating pedal pulses takes precedence over the other assessments.
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A group member is being taught about expected changes of aging by a nurse. Which statement by the group member shows effective learning?
- A. ''I should expect my heart rate to take longer to return to normal after excessive exercise as I get older.''
- B. ''I should expect my vision to improve as I age.''
- C. ''I should expect my skin to become more elastic as I age.''
- D. ''I should expect my hearing to become more acute as I age.''
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer because as individuals age, there is a normal decline in cardiac efficiency, leading to a slower return to baseline heart rate after exercise. This statement demonstrates an understanding of an expected change related to aging. Choice B is incorrect as vision typically declines with age due to changes in the eye's structure. Choice C is incorrect because aging usually leads to a decrease in skin elasticity. Choice D is incorrect as hearing tends to decline rather than become more acute with age.
A healthcare professional is preparing to transfer a client who can bear weight on one leg from the bed to a chair. After securing a safe environment, which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take next?
- A. Assess the client for orthostatic hypotension
- B. Obtain a gait belt
- C. Ensure the client has proper footwear
- D. Ask the client to perform range-of-motion exercises
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing the client for orthostatic hypotension is the priority before transferring a client who can bear weight on one leg. This assessment helps identify the risk of dizziness or fainting when the client moves from a supine to an upright position. Obtaining a gait belt may be necessary for the transfer, but assessing for orthostatic hypotension comes first to ensure the safety of the client. Ensuring the client has proper footwear is important for preventing falls during ambulation but is not the immediate next step in this situation. Asking the client to perform range-of-motion exercises is not necessary before the transfer and does not address the immediate safety concern of orthostatic hypotension.
A client with diabetes mellitus is being taught by a nurse how to perform a capillary blood glucose test. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Don sterile gloves after cleansing the site
- B. Puncture the site after cleansing and before the antiseptic dries
- C. Gently wipe the puncture site until a large droplet of blood forms
- D. Hold the finger below the heart level to puncture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct instruction is to puncture the site after cleansing and before the antiseptic dries. This sequence helps ensure proper blood collection without introducing contaminants. Choice A is incorrect because wearing sterile gloves is not necessary for capillary blood glucose testing. Choice C is incorrect as wiping the puncture site can introduce contaminants and alter the blood sample. Choice D is incorrect as holding the finger below the heart level is not required for a capillary blood glucose test.
A client is being taught how to self-administer daily low-dose heparin injections. Which of the following factors is most likely to increase the client's motivation to learn?
- A. The client's belief that his needs will be met through education
- B. The nurse's empathy regarding the client's self-injection
- C. The client seeking family approval by agreeing to a teaching plan
- D. The nurse explaining the need for education to the client
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client's belief that his needs will be met through education is the most likely factor to increase motivation to learn. When individuals perceive that their educational efforts will directly benefit them, they are more motivated to engage in the learning process. Empathy from the nurse, seeking family approval, or the nurse explaining the need for education may not be as directly tied to the client's personal benefit and may not necessarily increase motivation to learn.
The client is being taught about the use of syringes and needles for home administration of medications. Which action by the client indicates an understanding of standard precautions?
- A. Remove the needle after discarding used syringes
- B. Wear gloves while disposing of the needle and syringe
- C. Wear a face mask during medication administration
- D. Wash hands before handling the needle and syringe
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Washing hands before handling the needle and syringe is a critical step in infection control and adherence to standard precautions. Clean hands help prevent the transfer of microorganisms and reduce the risk of infection. Choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to standard precautions. Removing the needle after discarding used syringes (Choice A) can increase the risk of needlestick injuries. Wearing gloves while disposing of the needle and syringe (Choice B) is important for personal protection but does not specifically address standard precautions. Wearing a face mask during medication administration (Choice C) is not directly related to handling syringes and needles, which are more pertinent to standard precautions.