Nokea
A pregnant client receives news that the fetus has polycystic kidney disease. The client states to the nurse, 'I am so afraid my baby is going to die.' Which response by the nurse to the client is best?
- A. Finding out your baby has a serious health problem must be painful.
- B. How does your husband feel about this problem?
- C. How is your baby doing now?
- D. What you need to do is to focus on the present.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s pain validates their fear and opens therapeutic communication, supporting emotional processing. Asking about others, focusing on the fetus’s status, or directing focus to the present dismisses the client’s expressed fear.
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The nurse provides care for a client diagnosed with dementia. The nurse instructs the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) about bathing the client. Which strategies will the nurse identify as appropriate for the client? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Sing or talk to the client throughout the activity.
- B. Expose only one area at a time while bathing.
- C. Complete the bath as quickly as possible.
- D. Organize all supplies before starting the bath.
- E. Bathe the client slowly and explain each action.
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: For a client with dementia, appropriate bathing strategies include: (A) Singing or talking to provide comfort and reduce anxiety; (B) Exposing only one area to maintain dignity and prevent chilling; (D) Organizing supplies to minimize disruption; (E) Bathing slowly and explaining actions to reduce confusion. Completing the bath quickly (C) may increase agitation and is not appropriate.
A client who is in halo traction states to the visiting nurse, 'I can't get used to this contraption. I can't see properly on the side, and I keep misjudging where everything is.' Which therapeutic response should the nurse make to the client?
- A. If I were you, I would have had the surgery rather than suffer like this.
- B. No one ever gets used to that thing! It's horrible. Many of our sports people who are in it complain vigorously.
- C. Halo traction involves many difficult adjustments. Practice scanning with your eyes after standing up and before you move around.
- D. Why do you feel like this when you could have died from a broken neck? This is the way it is for several months. You need to be more accepting, don't you think?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In option 3, the nurse employs empathy and reflection. The nurse then offers a strategy for problem-solving, which helps increase the peripheral vision of the client in halo traction. In option 1, the nurse undermines the client's faith in the medical treatment being employed by giving advice that is insensitive and unprofessional. In option 2, the nurse provides a social response that contains emotionally charged language that could increase the client's anxiety. In option 4, the nurse uses excessive questioning and gives advice, which is nontherapeutic.
The nurse is caring for a client who presented to the ED with a blood alcohol level of 208 mg/dL. The client states that his last drink was about 8 hours ago. He exhibits coarse tremors of the hands, anxiety, and elevated blood pressure. Which of the following would the nurse expect if his condition progresses to withdrawal delirium? Select all that apply.
- A. fever of 100°F to 103°F
- B. increased appetite, especially for sweets
- C. excessive sleeping of 14 hours or more daily
- D. onset of delirium 12 to 24 hours after the last drink
- E. onset of delirium 48 to 72 hours after the last drink
- F. disorientation and fluctuating levels of consciousness
Correct Answer: A,E,F
Rationale: Withdrawal delirium typically includes fever, disorientation, and fluctuating consciousness, with onset 48-72 hours after the last drink. Increased appetite or excessive sleeping are not typical.
The nurse is caring for a client who is having surgery the next morning. The client says, 'I'm really scared about surgery. I've never been put to sleep before and I'm afraid I might not wake up.' Which response by the nurse is the most therapeutic?
- A. Why are you worried about such a minor procedure?
- B. We can call the doctor and cancel the surgery if you would prefer.
- C. It's normal to be afraid of something new like surgery. Tell me how you feel.
- D. Don't worry, you have a really good doctor and he will see to it that nothing goes wrong.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acknowledging fear as normal and encouraging the client to express feelings (C) is therapeutic, promoting open communication. Minimizing concerns (A), suggesting cancellation (B), or offering false reassurance (D) dismisses the client's emotions.
The nurse obtains an electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm strip for an adult client who is anxious about the results. The ECG shows that the heart rate is 90 beats per minute. Which statement should the nurse make to the client to relieve anxiety?
- A. The rate is normal.
- B. There is no need to worry.
- C. A slower heart rate is preferred.
- D. Medication specific to the problem will be prescribed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A normal adult resting pulse rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute; therefore, the rate is normal. The nurse would not tell a client not to worry. Options 3 and 4 indicate that the ECG is abnormal.