A pregnant client comes into the prenatal clinic accompanied by her spouse. The spouse states they were in a car accident and his wife's abdomen hit the steering wheel. The nurse observes the client wringing her hands and not making eye contact. The client's record shows two recently missed prenatal appointments. Which action does the nurse take?
- A. Make eye contact with the client and ask about the accident.
- B. Accompany the client into the restroom to obtain a urine sample.
- C. Ask the husband if the wife had been drinking alcohol.
- D. Escort the couple to an examining room to await the health care provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Escorting the couple to an examining room prioritizes a safe, private assessment of the client’s condition post-accident, especially given signs of possible abuse (missed appointments, anxiety). Direct questioning or accusations may escalate tension, and a urine sample is not the priority.
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Which psychosocial factor obtained during an assessment of an older client places the client most at risk for abuse?
- A. The client resides in an apartment in a low-income neighborhood.
- B. The client shows several signs and symptoms of clinical depression.
- C. The client is completely dependent on family members for both food and medicine.
- D. The client has been diagnosed with and is being treated for several chronic illnesses.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elder abuse is sometimes the result of frustrated adult children who find themselves caring for dependent parents. Increasing demands by parents for care and financial support can cause resentment and a feeling of being burdened. The issues of abuse are not bound to socioeconomic status (option 1). Option 2 relates to depression rather than the risk for abuse. Option 4 relates to a physical factor rather than a psychosocial factor.
A client having premature ventricular contractions states to the nurse, 'I'm so afraid that something bad will happen.' Which action by the nurse provides the most immediate help to the client?
- A. Telephoning the client's family
- B. Using a television to distract the client
- C. Having a staff member stay with the client
- D. Giving reassurance that nothing will happen to the client
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a client experiences fear, the nurse can provide a calm, safe environment by offering appropriate reassurance, using therapeutic touch, and having someone remain with the client as much as possible. Options 1 and 2 do not address the client's fear, and option 4 provides false reassurance.
A client with arterial leg ulcers tells the nurse, 'I'm so discouraged. I have had this pain for more than a year now. The pain never seems to go away. I can't do anything, and I feel as though I'll never get better.' The nurse determines that which is the priority client concern?
- A. Fatigue
- B. Uneasiness
- C. Chronic pain
- D. An acute illness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The major focus of the client's complaint is the experience of pain. Pain that has a duration of more than 3 months is defined as chronic pain and does not indicate an acute illness. There are no data in the question that indicate fatigue or uneasiness.
The nurse is planning interventions for counseling a maternal client who has been newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Which would be the most important psychosocial intervention at this time?
- A. Help the client identify her concerns.
- B. Avoid discussing the details of the disease.
- C. Allow the client to be alone if she is crying.
- D. Encourage family and friends to visit the client frequently.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: One of the most important nursing roles is providing emotional support to the client and family during the counseling process. Option 2, like option 4, is nontherapeutic. Option 3 is only appropriate if the client requests to be alone; if this is not requested, the nurse is abandoning the client in a time of need. Option 4 overwhelms the client with information while she is trying to cope with the news of the disease.
A client diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney is scheduled for a nephrectomy. The right kidney appears to be normal at this time. The client is anxious about whether dialysis will ultimately be a necessity. Which information should the nurse initially provide to the client?
- A. It is very likely that the client will need dialysis within 5 to 10 years.
- B. One kidney is adequate to meet the needs of the body, as long as it has normal function.
- C. There is absolutely no chance of the client needing dialysis because of the nature of the surgery.
- D. Dialysis could become likely, but it depends on how well the client complies with fluid restriction after surgery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fears about having only one functioning kidney are common among clients who must undergo nephrectomy for renal cancer. These clients need emotional support and reassurance that the remaining kidney should be able to fully meet the body's metabolic needs as long as it has normal function. This information supports that the remaining options are inaccurate.
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