A nurse is preparing for intershift report when a nurse's aide pulls an emergency call light in a client's room. Upon answering the light, the nurse finds a client who returned from surgery earlier in the day experiencing tachycardia and tachypnea. The client's blood pressure is 88/60 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Calling the physician
- B. Checking the hourly urine output
- C. Checking the IV site for infiltration
- D. Placing the client in a modified Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client is exhibiting signs of shock, indicated by tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension. Placing the client in a modified Trendelenburg position is the initial action to improve venous return, cardiac output, and subsequently increase blood pressure. This position helps redistribute blood flow to vital organs. Calling the physician should follow once immediate intervention has been initiated. Checking the hourly urine output and IV site are important assessments but are secondary to addressing the client's hemodynamic instability and potential for shock.
You may also like to solve these questions
The patient will begin taking penicillin G procaine (Wycillin). The nurse notes that the solution is milky in color. What action will the nurse take?
- A. Call the pharmacist and report the milky color.
- B. Add normal saline to dilute the medication.
- C. Call the physician and report the milky appearance.
- D. Administer the medication as ordered by the physician.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the medication as ordered by the physician. Penicillin G procaine (Wycillin) is known to have a milky appearance, which is normal. The milky color should not raise concerns for the nurse as it is an expected characteristic of this medication. Calling the pharmacist (choice A) or the physician (choice C) unnecessarily would delay the administration of the medication. Adding normal saline to dilute the medication (choice B) is not appropriate and could alter the medication's effectiveness. Therefore, the nurse should proceed with administering the medication as prescribed without any further action based on its milky appearance.
A client with renal calculi is being assessed by a nurse. Which question should the nurse ask?
- A. Is there a family history of this problem?
- B. Do you consume cranberry juice?
- C. Do you urinate after sexual intercourse?
- D. Do you have burning sensation during urination?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When assessing a client with renal calculi, it is important for the nurse to inquire about a family history of the problem. There is a genetic predisposition associated with renal stone formation, making it essential to assess if other family members have experienced renal stones. Choices B, C, and D are not directly related to renal calculi. Consuming cranberry juice is more relevant to urinary tract health, urinating after sexual intercourse is related to preventing urinary tract infections, and experiencing a burning sensation during urination is a symptom commonly associated with urinary tract infections, not renal calculi.
A nurse is assessing a postoperative client on an hourly basis. The nurse notes that the client's urine output for the past hour was 25 mL. Based on this finding, the nurse first:
- A. Calls the physician
- B. Increases the rate of the IV infusion
- C. Checks the client's overall intake and output record
- D. Administers a 250-mL bolus of normal saline solution (0.9%)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients are at risk of hypovolemia postoperatively, and decreased urine output can be an early sign. However, to accurately interpret this finding, the nurse must assess the overall fluid balance by checking the client's intake and output records. Increasing the IV infusion rate or administering a bolus of normal saline solution without a physician's order would not be appropriate as these interventions require a prescription. The physician should be notified once the nurse has collected all necessary assessment data, including fluid status and vital signs.
Prior to a percutaneous kidney biopsy, which actions should a nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Keep the client NPO for 4 to 6 hours.
- B. Obtain coagulation study results.
- C. Maintain strict bedrest in a supine position.
- D. A & B
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prior to a percutaneous kidney biopsy, the nurse should ensure that the client is kept NPO for 4 to 6 hours to prevent aspiration during the procedure. Obtaining coagulation study results is crucial to assess the risk of bleeding during and after the biopsy. Strict bedrest in a supine position is not necessary before the procedure. It is important to note that blood pressure medications should be carefully managed, but it is not a pre-procedure action. Keeping the client on bedrest or assessing for blood in the urine are interventions that are more relevant post-procedure to monitor for complications.
A client with polycystic kidney disease (PKD is being assessed by a nurse. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to immediately contact the healthcare provider?
- A. Flank pain
- B. Periorbital edema
- C. Bloody and cloudy urine
- D. Enlarged abdomen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Periorbital edema would not typically be associated with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and could indicate other underlying issues that require immediate attention. Flank pain and an enlarged abdomen are common findings in PKD due to kidney enlargement and displacement of other organs. Bloody or cloudy urine can result from cyst rupture or infection, which are expected in PKD. Therefore, periorbital edema is the most alarming finding in this scenario and warrants prompt notification of the healthcare provider.