Nokea
A young male client is admitted to rehabilitation following a right above-knee amputation (AKA) and reports aching in his right foot. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Encourage discussion about feelings of limb loss.
- B. Administer a prescription for gabapentin.
- C. Teach the client how to wrap the stump with an elastic bandage.
- D. Offer assistance to move to a quiet room to relax.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer a prescription for gabapentin. Gabapentin is used to treat phantom limb pain, which is common after amputations. Encouraging discussion about feelings of limb loss (choice A) is important for emotional support but does not address the physical pain. Teaching the client how to wrap the stump with an elastic bandage (choice C) is not indicated for aching in the 'right foot' as described. Offering assistance to move to a quiet room to relax (choice D) may provide comfort but does not address the underlying issue of phantom limb pain.
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The nurse is caring for a client who is post-op after a hip replacement. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate to prevent dislocation of the hip?
- A. Place an abduction pillow between the client's legs.
- B. Use an abduction pillow between the client's legs.
- C. Encourage the client to cross their legs while sitting.
- D. Encourage the client to sit upright for long periods.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using an abduction pillow between the client's legs is the most appropriate nursing action to prevent dislocation after hip replacement surgery. An abduction pillow helps maintain proper alignment and prevents the hip from dislocating. Placing the client in a high Fowler's position (Choice A) or encouraging them to sit upright for long periods (Choice D) may not provide the necessary support and stability needed to prevent hip dislocation. Encouraging the client to cross their legs while sitting (Choice C) can increase the risk of hip dislocation and should be avoided.
A client with diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky, dizzy, and sweaty. The nurse checks the client's blood glucose level and it is 55 mg/dL. What is the nurse's next action?
- A. Give the client a glucagon injection
- B. Encourage the client to eat a high-protein snack
- C. Administer 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
- D. Recheck the blood glucose level in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, which should be treated with a fast-acting carbohydrate to quickly raise the blood sugar. Administering 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets or juice, is the appropriate initial intervention for hypoglycemia. Giving a glucagon injection is reserved for severe cases or when the client is unconscious. Encouraging the client to eat a high-protein snack is not appropriate for treating acute hypoglycemia, as it is a slower-acting form of glucose. Rechecking the blood glucose level is important but should occur after providing immediate treatment to raise the blood sugar level.
A client with a history of closed head injury has a radial artery catheter in place and complains of numbness and pain distal to the insertion site. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Monitor the site for further complications.
- B. Promptly remove the catheter from the radial artery.
- C. Elevate the client's arm above the heart.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for surgery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A weak pulse and numbness distal to a radial artery catheter may indicate occlusion or damage to the artery, and immediate removal of the catheter is necessary to prevent complications. Therefore, promptly removing the catheter from the radial artery (Choice B) is the correct action. Monitoring the site (Choice A) would delay necessary intervention, elevating the client's arm (Choice C) may not address the underlying issue, and notifying the healthcare provider for surgery (Choice D) without removing the catheter promptly could lead to further complications.
A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What side effect should the nurse teach the client to monitor for?
- A. Monitor for a persistent cough.
- B. Monitor for bradycardia and dizziness.
- C. Report any signs of swelling or difficulty breathing.
- D. Monitor for headache and blurred vision.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Monitor for a persistent cough.' Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, is associated with a common side effect of a persistent dry cough. This cough can be bothersome to the client and should be reported to their healthcare provider. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because bradycardia, dizziness, swelling, difficulty breathing, headache, and blurred vision are not typically associated with lisinopril use.
A client with Cushing's syndrome presents with excessive bruising and elevated blood glucose. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Check the client's blood glucose level.
- B. Administer insulin per sliding scale protocol.
- C. Administer intravenous fluids.
- D. Check the client's skin for signs of bruising.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Excessive bruising and elevated blood glucose are common symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. The nurse should first check the client's blood glucose level to assess and address the hyperglycemia promptly. Administering insulin or IV fluids would be premature without knowing the current blood glucose level. Checking the skin for bruising, although important for overall assessment, does not address the immediate concern of elevated blood glucose.