A nurse is assessing a client who reports increased pain following physical therapy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask when assessing the quality of the client's pain?
- A. Is your pain constant or intermittent?
- B. What would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?
- C. Does the pain radiate?
- D. Is your pain sharp or dull?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: "Is your pain sharp or dull?" This question helps the nurse determine the characteristic of the pain, which is crucial in identifying the underlying cause. Sharp pain is often associated with acute conditions like nerve irritation, whereas dull pain may indicate musculoskeletal issues. Choices A, B, and C are important in pain assessment but do not specifically address the quality of pain. Asking about pain intensity (choice B) or radiation (choice C) can provide valuable information but do not directly address whether the pain is sharp or dull. Therefore, option D is the most appropriate for assessing the quality of the client's pain in this scenario.
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A nurse is assessing an older adult client's risk for falls. Which of the following assessments should the nurse use to identify the client's safety needs? (Select all that apply)
- A. Lacrimal apparatus
- B. Pupil clarity
- C. Appearance of bulbar conjunctivae
- D. Visual fields
- E. Visual acuity
Correct Answer: D,E
Rationale: The correct assessments for identifying an older adult client's safety needs are visual fields (D) and visual acuity (E). Visual fields evaluate peripheral vision, important for detecting obstacles and hazards. Impaired visual acuity can affect depth perception and balance, increasing fall risk. Lacrimal apparatus (A) assesses tear production, not directly related to fall risk. Pupil clarity (B) and appearance of bulbar conjunctivae (C) are more related to eye health but do not directly assess fall risk in older adults.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client about self-administering heparin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Stir the needle to 15° before administration.
- B. Aspire the syringe prior to administration.
- C. Administer the medication to the abdomen.
- D. Massage the site following the injection.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Administer the medication to the abdomen.
Rationale: Heparin is typically administered subcutaneously. The abdomen has a larger subcutaneous tissue area compared to other sites, allowing for better absorption and reducing the risk of tissue damage. Administering heparin in the abdomen also minimizes the risk of hitting blood vessels and nerves. It is important to rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage and ensure consistent absorption.
Summary of other choices:
A: Stirring the needle to a specific angle is unnecessary and can increase the risk of needle breakage or improper administration.
B: Aspiration is not required for subcutaneous injections as it may cause unnecessary tissue trauma.
D: Massaging the site after injection can lead to bruising and discomfort.
E, F, G: Choices left blank as they are not relevant to the administration of heparin.
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. The client reports increasing shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness. Which of the following findings in the assessment should the nurse identify as most concerning?
- A. Weak pulses with +2 dependent edema in lower extremities.
- B. Slightly labored respirations at rest.
- C. Wheezes and crackles in the chest.
- D. Reports productive cough during the overnight hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Wheezes and crackles in the chest. This finding is most concerning in a client with heart failure as it indicates potential fluid overload in the lungs, leading to impaired gas exchange and worsening respiratory status. Wheezes suggest bronchoconstriction, while crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the alveoli, both of which can exacerbate shortness of breath. Weak pulses with dependent edema (choice A) are expected in heart failure but do not directly point to acute decompensation. Slightly labored respirations at rest (choice B) may be common in heart failure but do not indicate immediate deterioration. Reports of a productive cough (choice D) can be a sign of fluid retention but are less urgent compared to wheezes and crackles.
A nurse is caring for a client who is expressing anger about his diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Discuss the risk factors for colon cancer.
- B. Focus teaching on what the client will need to do in the future to manage his illness.
- C. Provide the client with written information about the phases of loss and grief.
- D. Reassure the client that this is an expected response to grief.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide the client with written information about the phases of loss and grief. This is the most appropriate action as the client is expressing anger, which is a normal part of the grieving process. By providing information about the phases of loss and grief, the nurse can help the client understand his emotions and cope with them effectively.
A: Discussing risk factors for colon cancer is not the immediate priority when the client is expressing anger.
B: Focusing on future management may be overwhelming for the client at this stage when he is dealing with emotional distress.
D: Reassuring the client that his response is expected is helpful, but providing information on coping mechanisms is more beneficial in this situation.
A nurse is responding to a call light and finds a client lying on the bathroom floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Check the client for injuries.
- B. Move hazardous objects away from the client.
- C. Notify the provider.
- D. Ask the client to describe how she felt prior to the fall.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action is A: Check the client for injuries. This is the first priority to ensure the client's immediate safety and well-being. By assessing for injuries first, the nurse can determine the severity of the situation and provide appropriate care. Moving hazardous objects (B) can wait until the client's safety is ensured. Notifying the provider (C) can be done after assessing the client's condition. Asking the client to describe how she felt prior to the fall (D) is important but not as urgent as checking for injuries.