Nokea
A hospitalized client awaiting repair of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm is frequently assessed by the nurse. Which assessment finding should the nurse identify as an early indication that the aneurysm has ruptured?
- A. Widened pulse pressure
- B. Unilateral motor weakness
- C. Unilateral slowing of pupil response
- D. A decline in the level of consciousness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm usually results in increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The first sign of pressure in the brain is a change in the level of consciousness. This change in consciousness can be as subtle as drowsiness or restlessness. Because centers that control blood pressure are located lower in the brain than those that control consciousness, blood pressure alteration is a later sign. Slowing of pupil response and motor weakness are also late signs.
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The nurse teaches a postpartum client about postdelivery lochia. The nurse determines that the education has been effective when the client says that on the second day postpartum, the lochia should be which color?
- A. Red
- B. Pink
- C. White
- D. Yellow
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The uterus rids itself of the debris that remains after birth through a discharge called lochia, which is classified according to its appearance and contents. Lochia rubra is dark red in color. It occurs from delivery to 3 days postpartum and contains epithelial cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, shreds of decidua, and occasionally fetal meconium, lanugo, and vernix caseosa. Lochia serosa is a brownish pink discharge that occurs from days 4 to 10. Lochia alba is a white discharge that occurs from days 10 to 14. Lochia should not be yellow or contain large clots; if it does, the cause should be investigated without delay.
A client who has sustained a burn injury receives a prescription for a regular diet. Which is the best meal for the nurse to provide to the client to promote wound healing?
- A. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, tea
- B. Chicken breast, broccoli, strawberries, milk
- C. Veal chop, boiled potatoes, Jell-O, orange juice
- D. Pasta with tomato sauce, garlic bread, ginger ale
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The meal with the best potential to promote wound healing includes nutrient-rich food choices, including protein, such as chicken and milk, and vitamin C, such as broccoli and strawberries. The remaining options include one or more items with a low nutritional value, especially the tea, jelly, Jell-O, and ginger ale.
The nurse has just administered a purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test) to a client who is at low risk for developing tuberculosis. The nurse determines that the test is positive if which occurs?
- A. An induration of 15 mm
- B. The presence of a wheal
- C. A large area of erythema
- D. Itching at the injection site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An induration of 10 mm or more is considered positive for clients in low-risk groups. The presence of a wheal would indicate that the skin test was administered appropriately. Erythema or itching at the site is not indicative of a positive reaction.
A client with a known history of panic disorder comes to the emergency department and states to the nurse, 'Please help me. I think I'm having a heart attack.' What is the priority nursing action?
- A. Assess the client's vital signs.
- B. Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques.
- C. Identify the manifestations related to the panic disorder.
- D. Determine what the client's activity involved when the pain started.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with a panic disorder can experience acute physical symptoms, such as chest pain and palpitations. The priority is to assess the client's physical condition to rule out a physiological disorder for these signs and symptoms. Although options 2, 3, and 4 may be appropriate at some point in the care of the client, they are not the priority.
The nurse is assessing the respiratory status of the client after a thoracentesis has been performed. The nurse would become concerned with which assessment finding?
- A. Equal bilateral chest expansion
- B. Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
- C. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
- D. Few scattered wheezes, unchanged from baseline
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After thoracentesis, the nurse assesses vital signs and breath sounds. The nurse especially notes increased respiratory rates, dyspnea, retractions, diminished breath sounds, or cyanosis, which could indicate pneumothorax. Any of these manifestations should be reported to the primary health care provider. Options 1 and 2 are normal findings. Option 4 indicates a finding that is unchanged from the baseline.