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A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery with an external fixator to the left tibia. Which of the following assessment findings requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. The client's capillary refill in the left toe is 6 seconds.
- B. The client has 100 mL blood in the closed-suction drain.
- C. The client has an oral temperature of 36.3° C (90.9° F).
- D. The client reports a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10 at the operative site.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Capillary refill time of 6 seconds in the toe indicates poor circulation, which is a concerning finding post-surgery with an external fixator. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent complications like tissue ischemia. Choices B, C, and D do not require immediate intervention as they are within normal limits postoperatively. Blood in the drain is expected, the temperature is normal, and pain level 7 is manageable with appropriate pain management.
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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure. Which of the following findings indicate potential improvement?
- A. Hgb 8.4 g/dL (12 to 18 g/dL)
- B. Hct 42% (37% to 47%)
- C. WBC count 9
- D. Potassium 4.3 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Potassium 4.3 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L). In heart failure exacerbation, potassium levels can be affected due to medications or fluid shifts. A potassium level within the normal range indicates electrolyte balance, which is crucial for cardiac function. Hemoglobin (Choice A) and hematocrit (Choice B) are indicators of oxygen-carrying capacity and volume status, not directly related to heart failure improvement. White blood cell count (Choice C) is not specific to heart failure exacerbation. Therefore, the correct answer is D as it reflects a positive change in electrolyte balance, essential for cardiac function.
A nurse working in an outpatient clinic is planning a community education program about reproductive cancers. The nurse should identify which of the following manifestations as a possible indication of cervical cancer?
- A. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- B. Frequent diarrhea
- C. Urinary hesitancy
- D. Unexplained weight gain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Abnormal vaginal bleeding. This is a possible indication of cervical cancer because it can be a symptom of cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer. Bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or post-menopausal bleeding may indicate cervical cancer. Frequent diarrhea (B), urinary hesitancy (C), and unexplained weight gain (D) are not typically associated with cervical cancer. Diarrhea and urinary hesitancy are more commonly linked to gastrointestinal or urinary issues, while unexplained weight gain may be indicative of hormonal imbalances or other health conditions unrelated to cervical cancer.
A nurse is caring for a client who has moderate Alzheimer's disease. During weekly home visits, the nurse notices that the client's caregiver is tired, irritable, and impatient with the client. Which of the following actions should the nurse recommend to the caregiver?
- A. Pursue local protective services.
- B. Consider respite care services.
- C. Take a nonprescription sleeping medication.
- D. Contact hospice services for end-of-life care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Consider respite care services. Respite care provides temporary relief to caregivers, allowing them to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. This is important for the caregiver's well-being and can prevent burnout. It also ensures the client receives continuous care. Pursuing local protective services (A) may escalate the situation unnecessarily. Taking nonprescription sleeping medication (C) is not a long-term solution and may have adverse effects. Contacting hospice services for end-of-life care (D) is premature and not appropriate for a client with moderate Alzheimer's disease.
A nurse is preparing to administer fresh frozen plasma to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Administer the transfusion through a 25-gauge saline lock.
- B. Hold the transfusion if the client is actively bleeding.
- C. Administer the plasma immediately after thawing.
- D. Transfuse the plasma over 4 hr.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer the plasma immediately after thawing. Fresh frozen plasma should be administered promptly after thawing to ensure optimal effectiveness and prevent clotting. Delaying administration can lead to decreased clotting factor activity. Choice A is incorrect as a larger gauge needle is typically used for plasma transfusions. Choice B is incorrect because fresh frozen plasma is often indicated for bleeding disorders, so holding the transfusion would be counterproductive. Choice D is incorrect as fresh frozen plasma is usually infused rapidly, not over 4 hours.
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 action for the nurse to take is to reapply the weights to ensure proper traction. This is crucial to maintain the intended pulling force required for the skeletal traction to be effective in realigning the fractured bone. If the weights are resting on the floor, it means that the traction is not being applied as intended, which can lead to ineffective treatment and potential complications. Removing a weight (choice A) would decrease the traction force, tying knots in the ropes (choice B) would alter the mechanics of the system, and increasing the elevation of the extremity (choice C) would not address the issue of weights resting on the floor. Therefore, the best course of action is to reapply the weights to ensure proper traction and alignment of the fractured bone.