Nokea
A patient with severe pain and leg swelling is admitted. What should the nurse assess for?
- A. Check for signs of deep vein thrombosis.
- B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
- C. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
- D. Prepare the patient for surgery to relieve pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a patient presents with severe pain and leg swelling, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can develop due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised circulation and potential tissue damage. It is crucial to identify compartment syndrome promptly as it may require immediate intervention to prevent further complications. Checking for signs of deep vein thrombosis (Choice A) is also important in a patient with leg swelling, but in this scenario, the focus should be on assessing for compartment syndrome due to the severity of the symptoms. Increasing fluid intake (Choice C) may not address the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms. Preparing the patient for surgery (Choice D) without a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis is premature and may not be the appropriate initial intervention.
You may also like to solve these questions
What is the priority when assessing a patient for possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
- A. Dorsiflex the foot and check for pain.
- B. Measure the calf circumference of both legs.
- C. Check the skin for signs of redness.
- D. Perform a Doppler ultrasound scan.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to measure the calf circumference of both legs when assessing a patient for possible DVT. An increase in calf circumference in one leg can indicate the presence of a DVT. Option A is incorrect because dorsiflexing the foot and checking for pain are not primary assessments for DVT. Option C is incorrect as redness of the skin may not always be present in cases of DVT. Option D is incorrect as performing a Doppler ultrasound scan is usually done after clinical assessment and to confirm the diagnosis, not as the initial priority assessment.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. The nurse observes the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) turning off the handle faucet with bare hands. Which professional practice principle supports the need for follow-up with the NAP?
- A. The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient.
- B. This step is crucial in the process of handwashing.
- C. Different scopes of practice allow for procedure modifications.
- D. Leaving the water running wastes resources and money.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient. In this situation, the nurse should follow up with the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) who turned off the handle faucet with bare hands to ensure infection control practices are maintained. This action is crucial to prevent the spread of infections in the hospital setting. Choice B is incorrect because the question is not specifically about handwashing procedures but about infection control practices. Choice C is incorrect as it does not address the potential risk of infection transmission. Choice D is incorrect as it is unrelated to the main concern of infection control in this scenario.
A client reports pain and swelling at the IV site. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Flush the IV line and continue the infusion.
- B. Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Increase the IV infusion rate to reduce discomfort.
- D. Apply a warm compress to the IV site and continue monitoring.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider. Pain and swelling at an IV site can indicate infiltration or infection, which are serious complications. Stopping the infusion helps prevent further harm to the client, and notifying the healthcare provider promptly allows for appropriate assessment and intervention. Choice A is incorrect because flushing the IV line and continuing the infusion could exacerbate the issue. Choice C is incorrect as increasing the IV infusion rate is not the appropriate action for pain and swelling at the site. Choice D is incorrect because applying a warm compress may not address the underlying issue of infiltration or infection; it's crucial to stop the infusion and seek further guidance.
Which intervention is most effective for managing a patient with constipation?
- A. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
- B. Administer a stool softener as prescribed.
- C. Provide the patient with a high-fiber diet.
- D. Teach the patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most effective intervention for managing constipation in a patient is to administer a stool softener as prescribed. Stool softeners help relieve constipation by making the stool easier to pass, especially in postoperative patients. Increasing fluid intake can be beneficial but may not address the underlying cause of constipation. While a high-fiber diet is important for bowel health, it may not provide immediate relief for constipation. Teaching a patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers is not recommended for managing constipation as it can lead to adverse effects like increasing intra-abdominal pressure.
A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's immediate action?
- A. Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position.
- B. Administer oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula.
- C. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and cough.
- D. Assess the patient's lung sounds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula is the immediate action for a patient experiencing shortness of breath. This intervention helps to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress promptly. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (choice A) may also be beneficial but providing oxygen takes precedence in this scenario to address the underlying hypoxemia. Encouraging deep breaths and coughing (choice C) may not be appropriate as the first action, especially without assessing the patient first. Assessing lung sounds (choice D) is essential but should follow the initial intervention of administering oxygen.