A nurse is planning care for a school-age child who is 4 hr postoperative following perforated appendicitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Offer small amounts of clear liquids 6 hr following surgery
- B. Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hr
- C. Give cromolyn nebulized solution every 8 hr
- D. Apply a warm compress to the operative site every 4 hr
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hr. Postoperative pain management is crucial for the comfort and well-being of the child. Scheduled analgesics help maintain a consistent level of pain relief, preventing peaks and valleys in pain intensity. This approach is especially important in the initial 24 hours following surgery when pain is typically more intense. Offering small amounts of clear liquids 6 hours post-surgery (Choice A) may not be appropriate as the child may still be recovering from anesthesia and at risk of nausea or vomiting. Giving cromolyn nebulized solution every 8 hours (Choice C) is not indicated for postoperative pain management. Applying a warm compress to the operative site every 4 hours (Choice D) may provide some comfort but does not address the underlying need for analgesia.
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A nurse is caring for a client in the active phase of labor who has decided to have a natural childbirth.
Which pain management technique should the nurse suggest?
- A. Provide information about the use of hydrotherapy during labor
- B. Encourage the use of breathing techniques to manage pain.
- C. Suggest the use of massage or counterpressure to relieve discomfort.
- D. Recommend positioning changes, such as walking or rocking, to ease pain.
- E. Support the use of relaxation techniques, such as visualization, to reduce stress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encourage the use of breathing techniques to manage pain. Breathing techniques help in pain management by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and increasing oxygen flow. This can help the laboring individual cope better with contractions. Other choices are less effective for pain management in labor. A: Hydrotherapy can be beneficial, but breathing techniques are more universally applicable. C: Massage and counterpressure can help, but may not be as effective as breathing techniques during labor. D: Positioning changes are helpful, but breathing techniques are more directly focused on pain management. E: Relaxation techniques like visualization are useful, but breathing techniques are more specifically targeted at managing pain.
A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative and has a history of pulmonary embolism. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
- A. Dyspnea
- B. Pain at the surgical site
- C. Mild nausea
- D. Temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dyspnea. Dyspnea in a postoperative client with a history of pulmonary embolism indicates a potential complication, such as a recurrent or new pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should report this finding to the provider immediately for further evaluation and intervention to prevent worsening respiratory distress and potential respiratory failure. Pain at the surgical site (choice B) is expected postoperatively and can be managed with appropriate pain medications. Mild nausea (choice C) is a common postoperative symptom and can be managed with antiemetic medications. A temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F) (choice D) may indicate a mild fever, which can be monitored unless accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
A nurse is providing teaching about home safety to an adult child of an older adult client who is postoperative following knee replacement surgery.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Mark the edges of the doorway to the house with tape.
- B. Remove loose rugs from the home to prevent falls.
- C. Place soft cushions on all chairs to reduce discomfort.
- D. Install bright overhead lighting in the bedroom only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Remove loose rugs from the home to prevent falls. This instruction is crucial in preventing falls, especially for elderly individuals who may have balance issues. Loose rugs are a common tripping hazard and removing them can significantly reduce the risk of falls. Marking the edges of the doorway with tape (A) may not be effective in preventing falls as it does not address the actual hazards. Placing soft cushions on all chairs (C) does not directly address fall prevention and may not be suitable for all individuals. Installing bright overhead lighting in the bedroom only (D) is important for visibility but does not address other fall risks in the home.
A charge nurse is observing A newly licensed nurse provide care for a client who is post-operative. The newly licensed nurse tells the client that she will insert a urinary catheter if the client will not void.
Which of the following torts should the charge nurse identify as having occurred?
- A. Assault
- B. Battery
- C. False imprisonment
- D. Negligence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The charge nurse should identify assault as having occurred. Assault is the intentional act that causes a person to fear they will be harmed. In this case, if a healthcare provider threatens a patient with a procedure without their consent, it constitutes assault. Battery, on the other hand, is the intentional harmful or offensive touching of a person without consent. False imprisonment involves restraining a person against their will, which is not described in the scenario. Negligence refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care, and it does not apply here as the situation involves intentional actions.
A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a traumatic brain injury 72 hours ago.
Which finding should the nurse identify as a potential indication of increased intracranial pressure?
- A. Increasingly severe headache
- B. Bradycardia and hypertension
- C. Dilated, non-reactive pupils
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, "All of the above." Increasingly severe headache is a common symptom of increased intracranial pressure due to brain tissue compression. Bradycardia and hypertension can occur as a result of increased intracranial pressure affecting the autonomic nervous system. Dilated, non-reactive pupils may indicate brainstem compression. Therefore, all of these findings are potential indications of increased intracranial pressure. Choices A, B, and C all individually point towards different manifestations of increased intracranial pressure, making them incorrect if considered in isolation.
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