Nokea
A patient in the emergency room has a fractured left elbow and presents with an unequal radial pulse, swelling, and numbness in the left hand after waiting for 5 hours. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Place the patient in a supine position
- B. Ask the patient to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
- C. Wrap the fractured area with a snug dressing
- D. Start an IV in the other arm.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to start an IV in the other arm. In this scenario, the patient is showing signs of Acute Compartment Syndrome, a serious condition that occurs due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to decreased blood flow and potential tissue damage. Starting an IV is crucial as the patient may require emergency surgery, such as a fasciotomy, to relieve the pressure and prevent further complications. Placing the patient in a supine position, asking about pain levels, or wrapping the fractured area, though important, are not the priority interventions in this critical situation where immediate medical intervention is necessary to prevent irreversible damage or loss of limb.
You may also like to solve these questions
A mother brings her 26-month-old to the well-child clinic. She expresses frustration and anger due to her child's constant saying 'no' and refusal to follow her directions. The nurse explains this is normal for his age, as negativism is attempting to meet which developmental need?
- A. Trust
- B. Initiative
- C. Independence
- D. Self-esteem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In Erikson's theory of development, toddlers struggle to assert independence. They often use the word 'no' even when they mean yes. This stage is called autonomy versus shame and doubt. The child's behavior of saying 'no' and resisting directions reflects the developmental need for independence, not trust (option A), initiative (option B), or self-esteem (option D). Trust is typically associated with early infancy, initiative with preschool age, and self-esteem with later childhood and adolescence.
While caring for the client during the first hour after delivery, the nurse determines that the uterus is boggy and there is vaginal bleeding. What should be the nurse's first action?
- A. Check vital signs
- B. Massage the fundus
- C. Offer a bedpan
- D. Check for perineal lacerations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Massage the fundus. The nurse's first action should be to massage the fundus until it is firm as uterine atony is the primary cause of bleeding in the first hour after delivery. Checking vital signs, offering a bedpan, or checking for perineal lacerations are important assessments but addressing the boggy uterus and vaginal bleeding due to uterine atony takes precedence in this situation.
When supporting the psychosocial needs of a client experiencing negative side effects associated with chemotherapy, which intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Read the client's discharge instructions well in advance of dismissal
- B. Provide medications to reduce nausea and vomiting
- C. Give simple instructions about self-care while in the hospital
- D. Determine the levels of support from significant others
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a client is experiencing negative side effects associated with chemotherapy, addressing their psychosocial needs is crucial. One effective intervention is to determine the levels of support from significant others. This involves assessing the family, spouse, or friends who can provide help and support to the client when healthcare providers are not present. By identifying and organizing these resources, the nurse can help alleviate fears about the future, prepare caregivers for the client's needs, and facilitate a smoother transition for the client upon discharge. Reading discharge instructions, providing medications, or giving self-care instructions, although important, do not directly address the psychosocial needs of the client during this challenging time.
While working with an obese adolescent, it is important for the nurse to recognize that obesity in adolescents is most often associated with what other behavior?
- A. Sexual promiscuity
- B. Poor body image
- C. Dropping out of school
- D. Drug experimentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When addressing obesity in adolescents, it is crucial to consider that poor body image is a common behavior associated with obesity. As adolescents gain weight, they may experience a decrease in self-esteem and a negative perception of their body. This can contribute to a cycle of unhealthy behaviors and impact their overall well-being. The other choices are less commonly associated with obesity in adolescents. Sexual promiscuity may be influenced by various factors unrelated to obesity, dropping out of school is more often linked to academic challenges or social issues, and drug experimentation can stem from a range of influences but is not directly correlated with obesity.
The nurse is preparing to care for a child with a diagnosis of intussusception. The nurse reviews the child's record and expects to note which sign of this disorder documented?
- A. Watery diarrhea
- B. Ribbon-like stools
- C. Profuse projectile vomiting
- D. Bright red blood and mucus in the stools
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Intussusception is a condition where a part of the bowel slides into the next section, causing an obstruction. The classic presentation includes severe abdominal pain that is crampy, intermittent, and may cause the child to draw knees to the chest. While vomiting can occur, it is not typically projectile in nature. A key hallmark of intussusception is the passage of bright red blood and mucus in the stools, often described as currant jelly-like. Watery diarrhea and ribbon-like stools are not typical signs of intussusception and should not be expected in a child with this condition.