A patient underwent fiberoptic colonoscopy 18 hours ago and presents to the emergency department with increasing abdominal pain, fever, and chills. Which of the following conditions poses the most immediate concern?
- A. Bowel perforation
- B. Viral gastroenteritis
- C. Colon cancer
- D. Diverticulitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is bowel perforation. Bowel perforation is the most serious complication of fiberoptic colonoscopy, with signs such as progressive abdominal pain, fever, chills, and tachycardia indicating advancing peritonitis. Although colonoscopic perforation is rare (0.03% to 0.7% incidence), it can lead to high mortality and morbidity rates. Viral gastroenteritis (Choice B) typically presents with symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, but it is not the most immediate concern in this scenario. Colon cancer (Choice C) and diverticulitis (Choice D) are important conditions but are less likely to present acutely after colonoscopy compared to bowel perforation.
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A mother has recently been informed that her child has Down syndrome. You will be assigned to care for the child at shift change. Which of the following characteristics is not associated with Down syndrome?
- A. Simian crease
- B. Brachycephaly
- C. Oily skin
- D. Hypotonicity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Individuals with Down syndrome commonly have certain physical characteristics, such as a simian crease (single transverse palmar crease), brachycephaly (shortened front-to-back skull dimension), and hypotonicity (low muscle tone). Oily skin is not a characteristic associated with Down syndrome; instead, individuals with Down syndrome often have dry skin. Therefore, oily skin is the correct answer in this context.
The home health nurse visits a male client to provide wound care and finds the client lethargic and confused. His wife states he fell down the stairs two (2) hours ago. The nurse should
- A. Place a call to the client's healthcare provider for instructions
- B. Send him to the emergency room for evaluation
- C. Reassure the client's wife that the symptoms are transient
- D. Instruct the client's wife to call the doctor if his symptoms become worse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the client is presenting with concerning symptoms of lethargy and confusion after a fall. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying issue, such as a head injury or internal bleeding. The nurse's priority is to ensure the client receives immediate evaluation and treatment to prevent any further harm. Option B is the correct choice as it emphasizes the urgency of the situation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the critical nature of the client's condition. Contacting the healthcare provider, reassuring the wife, or waiting for symptoms to worsen could delay necessary medical intervention.
In a pediatric clinic, a nurse is assessing a child recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Which of the following later findings of this disease would the nurse not expect to see at this time?
- A. Positive sweat test
- B. Bulky greasy stools
- C. Moist, productive cough
- D. Meconium ileus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a child newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), noisy respirations and a dry, non-productive cough are typically the first respiratory signs to appear. The other options, including a positive sweat test, bulky greasy stools, and meconium ileus, are among the earliest findings of CF. CF is a genetic condition that affects the production of mucus, sweat, saliva, and digestive juices. Due to a defective gene, these secretions become thick and sticky instead of thin and slippery, leading to blockages in various passageways, especially in the pancreas and lungs. Respiratory failure is a severe consequence of CF, making it crucial to monitor respiratory symptoms closely in affected individuals. Therefore, a moist, productive cough would not be an expected finding in a newly diagnosed child with CF.
The nurse is caring for a 27-year-old female client with a venous stasis ulcer. Which nursing intervention would be most effective in promoting healing?
- A. Apply dressing using sterile technique
- B. Improve the client's nutrition status
- C. Initiate limb compression therapy
- D. Begin proteolytic debridement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Venous stasis occurs when venous blood collects and stagnates in the lower leg due to incompetent venous valves. This leads to inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply to the cells in the lower extremities, resulting in cell death or necrosis. Venous stasis ulcers, characterized by shallow brown wounds with irregular margins, typically develop on the lower leg or ankle. The primary goal in managing clients with venous stasis ulcers is to promote healing. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in wound healing. Nutritional deficiencies are common causes of venous ulcers, and a diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins C and A is recommended to enhance wound healing. Applying dressings with sterile technique, initiating limb compression therapy, and beginning proteolytic debridement are important interventions in wound care but may not directly address the underlying issue of poor nutrition that is essential for healing venous stasis ulcers.
Rhogam is most often used to treat____ mothers that have a ____ infant.
- A. RH positive, RH positive
- B. RH positive, RH negative
- C. RH negative, RH positive
- D. RH negative, RH negative
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rhogam is administered to RH-negative mothers who have an RH-positive infant to prevent the development of anti-RH antibodies in the mother's system. Choice A (RH positive, RH positive) is incorrect because Rhogam is not used when both mother and infant are RH positive. Choice B (RH positive, RH negative) is incorrect because Rhogam is used when the mother is RH negative, not RH positive. Choice D (RH negative, RH negative) is incorrect as Rhogam is not typically needed if both mother and infant are RH negative.