A patient verbalizes a low pain level of 2 out of 10 but exhibits extreme facial grimacing while moving around in bed. What is the nurse’s initial action in response to these observations?
- A. Proceed to the next patient’s room to make rounds.
- B. Determine the patient does not want any pain medicine.
- C. Ask the patient about the facial grimacing with movement.
- D. Administer the pain medication ordered for moderate to severe pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct initial action for the nurse is to ask the patient about the facial grimacing with movement (Choice C). This is important because the patient may not accurately express their pain level verbally. By addressing the discrepancy between the patient's verbal report and non-verbal cues, the nurse can gather more information to assess the patient's pain accurately. By directly communicating with the patient, the nurse can ensure that the appropriate interventions are provided.
Choice A is incorrect because it disregards the need to address the patient's pain assessment. Choice B assumes the patient's preference without further clarification. Choice D jumps to administering pain medication without fully assessing the situation, which could lead to inappropriate treatment.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is collecting data from a home care client. In addition to information about the client’s health status, what is another observation the nurse should make?
- A. Number of rooms in the house
- B. Safety of the immediate environment
- C. Frequency of home visits to be made
- D. Friendliness of the client and family
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Safety of the immediate environment. This is crucial for the client's well-being and can impact their health. The nurse should assess for hazards like loose rugs, clutter, or slippery floors. This ensures a safe living environment for the client. The other choices (A, C, D) are not directly related to the client's immediate safety or well-being. The number of rooms in the house (A) is not as important as ensuring the safety of the environment. The frequency of home visits (C) can be planned later based on the initial assessment. The friendliness of the client and family (D) is important for building rapport but does not address the immediate safety concerns of the client.
The nurse notes that a client’s wound has not improved despite consistent wound care as outlined in the care plan. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Reassess the wound and client’s condition.
- B. Discontinue the current care plan.
- C. Increase the frequency of wound dressing changes.
- D. Refer the client to a specialist immediately.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Reassessing the wound and client's condition allows the nurse to identify any factors contributing to the lack of improvement.
Step 2: It helps determine if the current care plan needs modifications or if there are underlying issues affecting healing.
Step 3: This step ensures a comprehensive evaluation before making any changes to the care plan, promoting evidence-based practice.
Step 4: Choosing this option aligns with the nursing process of assessment, which is crucial for making informed decisions in client care.
Summary:
Option A is correct as it emphasizes the importance of reassessment to gather more information and make informed decisions. Discontinuing the care plan (Option B) without assessment can be harmful. Increasing dressing changes (Option C) may not address the underlying issue. Referring immediately (Option D) may be premature without reassessment.
A nurse has developed a plan of care with nursing interventions designed to meet specific client outcomes. The outcomes are not met by the time specified in the plan. What should the nurse do now in terms of evaluation?
- A. Continue to follow the written plan of care.
- B. Make recommendations for revising the plan of care.
- C. Ask another health care professional to design a plan of care.
- D. State 'goal will be met at a later date.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Make recommendations for revising the plan of care. When client outcomes are not met within the specified time frame, the nurse should reassess the plan of care to identify any potential reasons for the lack of progress. By making recommendations for revising the plan of care, the nurse can adjust interventions to better align with the client's needs and facilitate goal achievement. Continuing to follow the written plan of care (choice A) without modification may not address the underlying issues preventing goal attainment. Asking another health care professional to design a plan of care (choice C) may not be necessary if the nurse can assess and revise the current plan. Stating 'goal will be met at a later date' (choice D) does not address the need for immediate action to reassess and modify the plan for better outcomes.
To treat cervical cancer, a client has had an applicator of radioactive material placed in the vagina. Which observation by the nurse indicates a radiation hazard?
- A. The client is maintained on strict bed rest
- B. The head of the bed is at 30-degree angle
- C. The client receives a complete bed bath each morning
- D. The nurse checks the applicator’s position every 4 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because maintaining the head of the bed at a 30-degree angle can cause the radioactive material to shift within the client's body, increasing the risk of radiation exposure. This position should be avoided to prevent displacement of the applicator.
A: Strict bed rest is appropriate to minimize movement and dislodgement of the applicator, ensuring proper treatment delivery.
C: Providing a bed bath does not pose a radiation hazard as long as proper precautions are taken.
D: Checking the applicator's position every 4 hours is essential for monitoring and ensuring it remains in place to deliver the intended treatment.
A nurse finds Mr. Gabatan under the wreckage of the car. He is conscious, breathing satisfactorily, and lying on the back complaining of pain in the back and an inability to move his legs. The nurse should first:
- A. Leave Mr. Gabatan lying on his back with instructions to move and then go seek additional help
- B. Gently raise Mr. Gabatan to a sitting position to see if the pain either
- C. Roll Mr. Gabatan on his abdomen, place, a pad under his head, and cover him with any material available
- D. Gently lift Mr. Gavatan into a flat piece of lumber and using any available transportation, rush him to the nearest medical institution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because in cases of suspected spinal injury, it is crucial to keep the spine immobilized to prevent further damage. Rolling Mr. Gabatan onto his abdomen helps protect his spine by maintaining alignment. Placing a pad under his head provides support and covering him with any material available helps maintain his body temperature. Moving him without proper spinal precautions (options A, B, D) could worsen his condition. Seeking additional help is important, but ensuring spinal immobilization comes first. Sitting him up or moving him onto a flat piece of lumber can exacerbate spinal injuries. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate initial action.