A nurse is caring for an elderly client who had a colectomy for removal of cancer 2 days ago. The client is becoming increasingly restless and has been given IV morphine every 2 hours for severe pain. Respirations are 28/min and shallow. Which arterial blood gas results best indicate that the client is in acute respiratory failure and needs immediate intervention?
- A. PaO2 49 mm Hg (6.5 kPa), PaCO2 60 mm Hg (8.0 kPa)
- B. PaO2 64 mm Hg (8.5 kPa), PaCO2 45 mm Hg (6.0 kPa)
- C. PaO2 70 mm Hg (9.3 kPa), PaCO2 30 mm Hg (4.0 kPa)
- D. PaO2 86 mm Hg (11.5 kPa), PaCO2 25 mm Hg (3.33 kPa)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PaO2 < 50 mm Hg and PaCO2 > 50 mm Hg (A) indicate acute respiratory failure, requiring immediate intervention. Other options show less severe hypoxemia or normal values.
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A client has been on lithium carbonate therapy for 7 days. Which of the following findings would be most important to report to the health care provider?
- A. Diarrhea, vomiting, and mild tremor
- B. Dry mouth and mild thirst
- C. Hyperactivity and auditory hallucinations
- D. Lithium level of 1.3 mEq/L (1.3 mmol/L)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diarrhea, vomiting, and tremor (A) suggest lithium toxicity, requiring immediate reporting. Dry mouth (B) is common, hallucinations (C) are unrelated, and a lithium level of 1.3 (D) is within therapeutic range.
The nurse is assessing a 7-year-old client who was recently admitted with nausea, vomiting, severe right lower quadrant pain, and an elevated WBC count. Which of the following statements by the client would be a priority to follow up?
- A. I feel so tired.
- B. I am hungry and I want to eat.
- C. My stomach does not hurt anymore.
- D. I do not like hospitals and I want to go home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Resolution of pain (C) in suspected appendicitis may indicate perforation, a surgical emergency, requiring urgent follow-up. Fatigue (A), hunger (B), and dislike of hospitals (D) are less critical.
The charge nurse in a long-term memory care facility is making assignments for the Alzheimer unit. Which tasks may be delegated to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel? Select all that apply.
- A. Assisting clients with bathing and hair care
- B. Evaluating safety hazards in clients' rooms
- C. Monitoring clients for behavioral changes
- D. Placing bed alarms at night for clients at risk for wandering
- E. Reporting a client's swallowing difficulties during mealtime
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Bathing/hair care (A), placing bed alarms (D), and reporting swallowing issues (E) are within UAP scope. Evaluating hazards (B) and monitoring behavior changes (C) require nursing judgment.
The nurse is assisting in planning care for a client experiencing an acute attack of Ménière disease. Which action is a high priority to include in the plan of care?
- A. Initiate fall precautions
- B. Keep the emesis basin at bedside
- C. Provide a quiet environment
- D. Start IV fluids
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A quiet environment (C) reduces sensory overload, a priority in Ménière disease attacks. Fall precautions (A), emesis basin (B), and IV fluids (D) are supportive but less critical.
The nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client with suspected Cushing syndrome who has a 24-hour urine specimen. Which of the following information should the nurse reinforce? Select all that apply.
- A. An indwelling urinary catheter will be inserted for this test and your urine will be collected in an attached drainage bag.
- B. Discard your first void in the toilet and then record the start time of the urine collection so that the start time coincides with an empty bladder.
- C. Keep the collection container in the refrigerator or a cooled ice chest when it is not in use.
- D. Only daytime urine should be collected in the container because cortisol levels are higher in the morning.
- E. You will be given an opaque plastic container to collect your urine to protect it from light.
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Discarding the first void and recording the start time (B) ensures accurate collection, and refrigerating the container (C) preserves the sample. Catheters (A) are not needed, all urine is collected (D is incorrect), and light protection (E) is unnecessary.
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