An 81-year-old male client has emphysema. He lives at home with his cat and manages self-care with no difficulty. When making a home visit, the nurse notices that this client's tongue is somewhat cracked, and his eyeballs appear sunken into his head. Which nursing intervention is indicated?
- A. Help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake.
- B. Obtain an appointment for the client to have an eye examination.
- C. Instruct the client to use oxygen at night and increase humidification.
- D. Schedule the client for tests to determine his sensitivity to cat hair.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client's cracked tongue and sunken eyes indicate dehydration. Therefore, the priority nursing intervention is to help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake. Dehydration can exacerbate the client's emphysema symptoms and lead to further complications. Monitoring and addressing the client's fluid intake is crucial for maintaining his health and well-being. Options B, C, and D are not the immediate priorities in this situation. While an eye examination, oxygen use, and sensitivity tests are relevant aspects of care, addressing dehydration through increased fluid intake takes precedence in this scenario.
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The healthcare professional is assessing a client who presents with jaundice. Which assessment finding is most important for the healthcare professional to follow up on?
- A. Urine specific gravity of 1.03
- B. Frothy, tea-colored urine
- C. Clay-colored stools
- D. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels are indicative of pancreatitis, a serious condition that can manifest with jaundice. Timely follow-up is crucial to manage pancreatitis and its complications effectively in a jaundiced client. Choices A, B, and C are less critical in this scenario. Urine specific gravity within normal range, frothy tea-colored urine, and clay-colored stools can be associated with various conditions but are not directly indicative of pancreatitis, which is the most concerning condition associated with jaundice.
The healthcare provider is evaluating the effects of care for a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which limb observations should the provider note as indicating the least success in meeting the outcome criteria for this problem?
- A. Pedal edema that is 3+
- B. Slight residual calf tenderness
- C. Skin warm, equal temperature in both legs
- D. Calf girth 1/8 inch larger than the unaffected limb
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Significant pedal edema, indicated by 3+, suggests ongoing or worsening venous insufficiency. This can be a sign that the care provided has not been effective in managing the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the associated complications. Monitoring and addressing pedal edema is crucial in the evaluation of DVT treatment outcomes and overall patient care. Choices B, C, and D are not indicative of the least success in meeting the outcome criteria for DVT. Slight residual calf tenderness, skin warmth, and a slightly larger calf girth do not necessarily point towards treatment failure or lack of improvement in DVT management.
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction should the nurse give to the client regarding lifestyle changes?
- A. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing.
- B. Use an electric razor to prevent cuts.
- C. Take your medication with a full glass of water.
- D. Eat a diet low in protein.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Using an electric razor is advised to prevent cuts, which is crucial for individuals taking warfarin due to the increased risk of bleeding associated with this medication. Lifestyle changes related to warfarin therapy focus on minimizing the risk of bleeding, and using safety measures such as an electric razor is a practical recommendation to reduce the likelihood of injury. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing is more related to preventing blood clots than to the bleeding risk of warfarin. Taking warfarin with a full glass of water is not a specific lifestyle change associated with its use. Eating a diet low in protein is not a typical recommendation for individuals on warfarin therapy.
Which of the following patients would be at higher risk of experiencing adverse drug reactions (ADRs):
- A. A 32-year-old male
- B. A 22-year-old female
- C. A 3-month-old female
- D. A 48-year-old male
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is correct because a 3-month-old female is at higher risk for ADRs due to immature liver and kidney function, reducing drug metabolism and excretion, increasing toxicity potential. Choice A is incorrect as a healthy 32-year-old male typically has mature systems. Choice B is wrong because a 22-year-old female also has developed metabolism. Choice D is incorrect since a 48-year-old male, unless compromised, has lower risk than an infant.
When a medication is added to a regimen for a synergistic effect, the combined effect of the drugs is:
- A. The sum of the effects of each drug individually
- B. Greater than the sum of the effects of each drug individually
- C. Less than the effect of each drug individually
- D. Not predictable, as it varies with each individual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is correct because synergy means the combined effect exceeds the sum of individual effects, enhancing therapeutic outcomes beyond additive results. Choice A is incorrect as it describes an additive, not synergistic, effect. Choice C is wrong because synergy doesn't reduce efficacy below individual effects. Choice D is incorrect since synergy is a predictable pharmacological principle, not entirely variable.