A nurse is planning care for a group of postoperative clients. Which of the following interventions should the nurse identify as the priority?
- A. Administer IV pain medication to a client who reports pain as a 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
- B. Administer oxygen to a client who has an oxygen saturation of 91%
- C. Instruct a client who is 1 hr postoperative about coughing and deep breathing exercises
- D. Initiate an infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride for a client who has just had abdominal surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority intervention is administering oxygen. Postoperatively, the client's oxygen saturation should be at or above 95%. Oxygen is essential for tissue perfusion and cellular oxygenation. While managing pain is important, oxygenation takes precedence. Instructing a client about coughing and deep breathing exercises is important for preventing respiratory complications but is not as urgent as addressing low oxygen saturation. Initiating an infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride is a routine postoperative intervention for fluid balance but is not the priority when oxygen saturation is low.
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A client at high risk for iron deficiency anemia should increase the consumption of which of the following foods?
- A. Yogurt
- B. Apples
- C. Raisins
- D. Cheddar cheese
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Raisins. Raisins are a good source of iron, making them beneficial for a client at high risk for iron deficiency anemia. Yogurt (Choice A), apples (Choice B), and cheddar cheese (Choice D) are not significant sources of iron. Other iron-rich foods include dried fruits, red meat, and green leafy vegetables.
A patient is receiving discharge instructions for GERD. Which of the following statements by the patient demonstrates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. I should take my medication with orange juice.
- B. Having a bedtime snack will prevent heartburn.
- C. I will lie down after meals.
- D. I will limit activities that require bending at the waist.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Patients with GERD should avoid activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as bending at the waist, as this can lead to reflux. Choice A is incorrect because medications for GERD are usually taken with water, not citrus juices. Choice B is incorrect as having a bedtime snack can worsen GERD symptoms. Choice C is incorrect because lying down after meals can also exacerbate reflux due to the effects of gravity.
A client scheduled for electromyography (EMG) will have small needle electrodes inserted into the muscles. What should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. You will receive a fixed dose of radioisotope 2 hours before the procedure.
- B. Momentary flushing will occur at the beginning of the procedure.
- C. You should inform your provider if you are claustrophobic.
- D. You should expect insertion of small needle electrodes into the muscles.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. During an electromyography (EMG) procedure, small needle electrodes are inserted into the muscles to assess muscle weakness and nerve responses. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because radioisotope is not used in EMG, flushing is not a typical occurrence, and claustrophobia is more relevant for imaging procedures like MRI or CT scans, not EMG.
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has sustained multiple injuries. The nurse observes the client's thorax moving inward during inspiration and outward during expiration. The nurse should suspect which of the following injuries?
- A. Flail chest
- B. Hemothorax
- C. Pulmonary contusion
- D. Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Flail chest. Flail chest results from multiple rib fractures, causing paradoxical chest movement where the injured part moves inward during inspiration and outward during expiration, interfering with ventilation. Choice B, Hemothorax, involves blood in the pleural cavity and does not typically cause paradoxical chest movement. Choice C, Pulmonary contusion, is a bruise to the lung tissue and does not present with paradoxical chest movement. Choice D, Pneumothorax, is the presence of air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse, but it does not demonstrate paradoxical chest movement like in flail chest.
A client who has burn injuries covering their upper body is concerned about their altered appearance. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
- A. It is okay to not want to touch the burned areas of your body.
- B. Cosmetic surgery should be performed within the next year to be effective.
- C. Reconstructive surgery can completely restore your previous appearance.
- D. It could be helpful for you to attend a support group for people who have burn injuries.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should encourage the client to attend a support group for individuals who have burn injuries. Support groups can provide emotional support, shared experiences, and coping strategies for accepting their altered appearance. Choice A is not the best response as it does not offer proactive support. Choice B is not appropriate as the timing of cosmetic surgery should be determined by healthcare providers, not immediate. Choice C is misleading as reconstructive surgery may improve appearance but may not completely restore the previous look.