Nokea
After assisting a client with a lower gastrointestinal bleed back to bed, the nurse finds approximately 600 mL of frank red blood in the toilet. The client is pale and diaphoretic and reports dizziness. Which action should the nurse perform first?
- A. Document the output and vital signs
- B. Draw blood for hemoglobin and hematocrit
- C. Lower the head of the bed
- D. Notify the registered nurse
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Significant bleeding (600 mL), pallor, diaphoresis, and dizziness suggest hypovolemia. Lowering the head of the bed improves cerebral perfusion, stabilizing the client. Notification, labs, and documentation follow stabilization.
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A 6-month-old infant is being seen in the doctor's office. Which observation by the nurse should be brought to the physician's attention?
- A. The baby sits up but needs slight support.
- B. The baby was 7 lb at birth and now weighs 10 lb.
- C. The baby frequently drops objects and looks for them.
- D. The baby smacks her lips and drools.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 6-month-old should double birth weight (14 lb expected for 7 lb); 10 lb suggests poor growth, requiring evaluation. Other findings are developmentally normal.
The nurse is caring for a client with trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux). To assist the client with nutrition needs, the nurse should
- A. Offer small meals of high calorie soft food
- B. Assist the client to sit in a chair for meals
- C. Provide additional servings of fruits and raw vegetables
- D. Encourage the client to eat fish, liver and chicken
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Offer small meals of high calorie soft food. High-calorie soft foods minimize chewing, providing nourishment with less pain.
The nurse is reinforcing teaching about ulcer prevention with a client newly diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease. Which of the following client statements indicate appropriate understanding of teaching? Select all that apply.
- A. I need to avoid taking medicines like ibuprofen without a prescription.
- B. I should avoid drinking excess coffee or cola.
- C. I should enroll in a smoking cessation program.
- D. I should reduce or eliminate my intake of alcoholic beverages.
- E. I will eliminate whole wheat foods, like breads and cereals, from my diet.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: Avoiding NSAIDs (ibuprofen), excess coffee/cola, smoking, and alcohol reduces ulcer irritation and promotes healing. Whole wheat foods are beneficial for digestion and not contraindicated.
The nurse is collecting data from assigned clients. It would require follow-up if a
- A. 3-week-old client has an anterior fontanel that pulsates slightly and bulges when crying
- B. 4-week-old client has a posterior fontanel that is soft and flat to palpation
- C. 6-month-old client had a birth weight of 7 lb 3 oz (3300 g) and now weighs 12 lb (5400 g)
- D. 12-month-old client had a birth weight of 6 lb 4 oz (2800 g) and now weighs 19 lb 2 oz (8700 g)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A 6-month-old weighing only 12 lb (5400 g) from a birth weight of 7 lb 3 oz (3300 g) indicates failure to thrive, requiring follow-up. Other findings (fontanels, 12-month-old weight) are within normal ranges.
The nurse is caring for a man who had a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy earlier today. He says he has to spit a lot. What nursing action is essential?
- A. Ask him to blow his nose.
- B. Do a glucose test on his mouth secretions.
- C. Have him rinse his mouth with water.
- D. Ask him if he needs an antiemetic.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive spitting may indicate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which contains glucose; testing secretions confirms this serious complication.