A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed water-seal drainage system. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber
- B. Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber
- C. Clear drainage of 50 mL over 8 hours
- D. Mild pain at the insertion site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber. Constant bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the chest tube system, which can lead to lung collapse or pneumothorax. This finding should be reported to the provider immediately for further evaluation and intervention. Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber (choice B) is expected and indicates that the suction is working properly. Clear drainage of 50 mL over 8 hours (choice C) is within normal limits and does not require immediate reporting. Mild pain at the insertion site (choice D) is common after a chest tube insertion and can be managed with pain medication.
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A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Take stimulant laxatives daily to relieve constipation.
- B. Avoid fiber-rich foods to prevent bloating.
- C. Increase water intake and use bulk-forming laxatives.
- D. Eat a low-carbohydrate diet to reduce symptoms.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C. Increase water intake and use bulk-forming laxatives.
Rationale: Increasing water intake helps soften stool, easing constipation in IBS-C. Bulk-forming laxatives add fiber to stool, improving bowel movements. Stimulant laxatives (A) can lead to dependency. Avoiding fiber-rich foods (B) worsens constipation. A low-carbohydrate diet (D) may exacerbate constipation.
A nurse is assessing a client who has skeletal traction for a femoral fracture. The nurse notes that the weights are resting on the floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Remove one of the weights.
- B. Tie knots in the ropes near the pulleys to shorten them.
- C. Increase the elevation of the affected extremity.
- D. Reapply the weights to ensure proper traction.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Reapply the weights to ensure proper traction. When the weights are resting on the floor, it means that there is no longer effective traction on the affected limb. To maintain proper skeletal traction, the weights should be suspended freely in the air. By reapplying the weights and ensuring they are hanging freely, the nurse can restore the necessary traction force to immobilize the fractured bone and facilitate healing. Removing a weight (choice A) may compromise the traction. Tying knots in the ropes (choice B) may alter the mechanics of the traction system. Increasing the elevation of the extremity (choice C) does not address the issue of the weights resting on the floor.
A nurse in the emergency department is monitoring a client who is receiving dopamine to treat hypovolemic shock. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication for increasing the client's dopamine dosage?
- A. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
- B. Oxygen saturation 95%
- C. Heart rate 60/min
- D. Respiratory rate 14/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg. Dopamine is a vasopressor used to increase blood pressure in hypovolemic shock. A low blood pressure reading of 90/50 mm Hg indicates inadequate perfusion, warranting an increase in dopamine dosage to improve cardiac output. Oxygen saturation (B) and respiratory rate (D) are not direct indicators for adjusting dopamine dosage. A heart rate of 60/min (C) may be within normal limits depending on the client's condition.
A nurse is caring for a client immediately following a lumbar puncture. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Limit the client's fluid intake.
- B. Measure blood glucose every 2 hr.
- C. Instruct the client to expect tingling in their extremities.
- D. Instruct the client to lie flat.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Instruct the client to lie flat. This is important to prevent post-lumbar puncture headache by promoting the closure of the dural puncture site. Lying flat helps reduce the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and subsequent headache. Limiting fluid intake (A) is not necessary post-lumbar puncture. Monitoring blood glucose (B) is not directly related to lumbar puncture care. Expecting tingling in extremities (C) is not a common post-lumbar puncture symptom.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following is the priority intervention by the nurse?
- A. Check potassium levels.
- B. Begin bicarbonate continuous IV infusion.
- C. Initiate a continuous IV insulin infusion.
- D. Administer 0.9% sodium chloride.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Administer 0.9% sodium chloride. The priority intervention in DKA is fluid resuscitation to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. 0.9% sodium chloride helps restore intravascular volume and improves kidney perfusion. Checking potassium levels (A) is important but can wait until after fluid resuscitation. Beginning bicarbonate infusion (B) is not recommended as it can worsen acidosis. Initiating continuous IV insulin infusion (C) is important but should follow fluid resuscitation. Administering 0.9% sodium chloride takes precedence in managing DKA.