A nurse on an acute med-surgical unit is performing assessments on a group of clients. Which is the highest priority?
- A. Client with surgical hypoparathyroidism and positive Trousseau's sign
- B. Client with Clostridium difficile and acute diarrhea
- C. Client with acute kidney injury and low urine specific gravity
- D. Client with oral cancer and reports a sore on his gums
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A positive Trousseau's sign indicates hypocalcemia, which can lead to life-threatening complications like tetany or laryngospasm, making it the highest priority. Choices B, C, and D, while important, do not pose immediate life-threatening risks compared to the potential complications of severe hypocalcemia seen in a client with surgical hypoparathyroidism and a positive Trousseau's sign.
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A client who is having suicidal thoughts tells the nurse, "It just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Why not end my misery?" Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Why do you think your life is not worth it anymore?
- B. Do you have a plan to end your life?
- C. I need to know what you mean by misery
- D. You can trust me and tell me what you're thinking
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The appropriate response by the nurse is to ask about the client's plan to end their life. This question helps to assess the severity of the client's suicidal ideation and the immediacy of the risk, allowing the nurse to determine the appropriate level of intervention. Choices A, C, and D do not directly address the immediate risk assessment needed in this situation.
A nurse in a provider's office is interviewing a client who is requesting an oral contraceptive. Which of the following findings in the client's history is a contraindication to the use of combination oral contraceptives?
- A. Thyroid disease
- B. Allergy to penicillin
- C. Impaired liver function
- D. Abnormal blood glucose
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Impaired liver function is a contraindication to combination oral contraceptives. The liver metabolizes hormones, and any impairment can affect the metabolism of hormones, potentially leading to imbalances or toxicity. Thyroid disease, allergy to penicillin, and abnormal blood glucose levels are not contraindications to combination oral contraceptives.
A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus and is receiving desmopressin. Which of the following should the nurse monitor?
- A. Fasting blood glucose
- B. Carbohydrate intake
- C. Hematocrit
- D. Weight
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Weight. Desmopressin can cause fluid retention, so monitoring the client's weight is crucial to detect signs of water intoxication or overhydration, which can occur with the medication. Monitoring fasting blood glucose (choice A) is not directly related to desmopressin use in diabetes insipidus. Carbohydrate intake (choice B) is important for diabetes management but is not specifically relevant to monitoring desmopressin therapy. Hematocrit (choice C) is not typically influenced by desmopressin use in diabetes insipidus.
A nurse observes an assistive personnel (AP) providing care to a child who is in skeletal traction. Which of the following actions requires intervention?
- A. Providing a high-protein snack
- B. Assisting the child to reposition
- C. Placing weights on the child's bed
- D. Massaging pressure points
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Placing weights on the child's bed can alter the traction, which must remain constant to be effective. This action requires immediate intervention to prevent harm. Providing a high-protein snack (Choice A) is appropriate for the child's nutritional needs. Assisting the child to reposition (Choice B) helps prevent complications such as pressure ulcers. Massaging pressure points (Choice D) can help promote circulation and prevent skin breakdown. However, altering the traction by placing weights on the bed can be detrimental to the child's condition and must be corrected promptly.
A charge nurse is discussing the use of applying ice to a client's injured knee with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following is a benefit of this treatment?
- A. Systemic analgesic effect
- B. Increase in metabolism
- C. Decreased capillary permeability
- D. Vasodilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreased capillary permeability. Ice application helps decrease capillary permeability, which in turn reduces swelling and inflammation at the injury site. This vasoconstriction effect helps to limit the extent of the injury. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Applying ice locally does not produce a systemic analgesic effect but rather a localized numbing effect. It does not increase metabolism but rather slows down metabolic processes in the affected area. Additionally, ice application causes vasoconstriction, not vasodilation.
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