A nurse is collecting data from a client who is reporting pain despite taking analgesics. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to determine the intensity of the client's pain?
- A. Ask the client what precipitates the pain.
- B. Question the client about the location of the pain.
- C. Offer the client a pain scale to measure their pain.
- D. Use open-ended questions to identify the client's pain sensations.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Offering the client a pain scale is the most appropriate action to determine the intensity of the client's pain. Pain scales help quantify the intensity of pain, providing a standardized way to assess and compare pain levels. Asking about precipitating factors (choice A) may help identify triggers but does not directly measure pain intensity. Questioning about the location of pain (choice B) helps with localization but not with quantifying intensity. Using open-ended questions (choice D) may provide insights into the quality and experience of pain but does not provide a standardized measure of intensity.
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A client is being treated for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory value would be most concerning?
- A. Blood glucose of 350 mg/dL
- B. Serum bicarbonate of 18 mEq/L
- C. Arterial pH of 7.20
- D. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the most concerning laboratory value is an arterial pH of 7.20. An arterial pH of 7.20 indicates severe acidosis, which is a critical condition requiring immediate intervention. This pH level reflects a significant imbalance in the body's acid-base status, potentially leading to serious complications. High blood glucose levels (choice A) are expected in DKA but do not directly indicate the severity of acidosis. A serum bicarbonate level of 18 mEq/L (choice B) is low but not as immediately critical as a pH of 7.20. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq/L (choice D) is elevated, which can occur in DKA due to insulin deficiency, but it is not the most concerning value in this scenario.
A nurse offers pain medication to a client who is postoperative before ambulation. The nurse understands that this aspect of care delivery is an example of which of the following ethical principles?
- A. Fidelity
- B. Autonomy
- C. Justice
- D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Beneficence. Beneficence involves actions intended to benefit the client, such as providing pain relief. In this scenario, the nurse is demonstrating beneficence by offering pain medication to alleviate the client's discomfort and promote their well-being. Fidelity (A) relates to being faithful to agreements and commitments, autonomy (B) refers to respecting a client's right to make decisions about their care, and justice (C) involves fairness and equal treatment. While these ethical principles are important in healthcare, the situation described primarily exemplifies the principle of beneficence.
A client who had a cerebrovascular accident has persistent problems with dysphagia. The nurse caring for the client should initiate a referral with which of the following members of the interprofessional care team?
- A. Social worker
- B. Certified nursing assistant
- C. Occupational therapist
- D. Speech-language pathologist
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists specialize in assessing and treating dysphagia, which is a common issue following a cerebrovascular accident. They are trained to evaluate swallowing function and provide appropriate interventions to help clients improve their ability to swallow safely. Choice A, Social worker, is incorrect as their role does not typically involve addressing dysphagia specifically. Choice B, Certified nursing assistant, is not the appropriate professional to address dysphagia concerns as they do not have the training or scope of practice for this specialized area. Choice C, Occupational therapist, focuses more on activities of daily living and functional abilities rather than the specialized treatment of dysphagia.
Which action by the nurse will be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage?
- A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
- B. Limit caloric and protein intake.
- C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
- D. Assess for pain during a bath.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most important action for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage is to assess for pain during a bath. Assessing pain during a bath helps in evaluating sensory nerve function by checking for touch, pain, heat, cold, and pressure. This assessment is crucial in identifying areas of potential skin breakdown and implementing preventive measures. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter (Choice A) is not directly related to preventing skin impairment in this context. Limiting caloric and protein intake (Choice B) is not pertinent to skin impairment prevention for a mobile patient with local nerve damage. While turning the patient every 2 hours (Choice C) is a good practice for preventing pressure ulcers, in this case, assessing for pain during a bath is more directly related to preventing skin impairment associated with nerve damage.
What are the correct steps used for abdominal assessment?
- A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
- B. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
- C. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
- D. Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Inspection allows the nurse to visually assess the abdomen for any abnormalities or distension. Auscultation follows to listen for bowel sounds and vascular sounds. Percussion helps to assess the density of underlying structures and detect any abnormal masses. Palpation is performed last to assess tenderness, organ size, and detect any masses. Choices B, C, and D have the steps in the incorrect order, making them the wrong choices.