An 85 year-old client complains of generalized muscle aches and pains. The first action by the nurse should be
- A. assess the severity and location of the pain
- B. obtain an order for an analgesic
- C. reassure him that this is not unusual for his age
- D. encourage him to increase his activity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: assess the severity and location of the pain. Most older adults have 1 or more chronic painful illnesses, and in fact, they often must be asked about discomfort (rather than 'pain') to reveal the presence of pain. There is no evidence that pain of older adults is less intense, and it is necessary for the nurse to assess the pain thoroughly before implementing pain relief measures.
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The client's total WBC count is 20,000/mm3 two days after surgery. Which assessment finding should the nurse most associate with this laboratory result?
- A. Respiratory rate slow and shallow
- B. Skin incision pink, crusty, and intact
- C. Dark amber urine per urinary catheter
- D. Diminished lung sounds with crackles
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: D: Elevated WBC and crackles suggest a respiratory infection. A: Slow respiration is unrelated. B: Normal incision appearance doesn't correlate. C: Amber urine indicates dehydration, not infection.
A 14 year-old with a history of sickle cell disease is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of vaso-occlusive crisis. Which statements by the client would be most indicative of the etiology of this crisis?
- A. I knew this would happen. I've been eating too much red meat lately.'
- B. I really enjoyed my fishing trip yesterday. I caught two fish.'
- C. I have really been working hard practicing basketball.'
- D. I went to get a cold checked out last week, and I have gotten worse.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: I went to get a cold checked out last week, and I have gotten worse.' Any condition that increases the body's need for oxygen or alters the transport of oxygen, such as infection, trauma or dehydration may result in a sickle cell crisis.
The nurse has been teaching a client with congestive heart failure about proper nutrition. Which of these lunch selections indicates the client has learned about sodium restriction?
- A. Cheese sandwich with a glass of 2% milk
- B. Sliced turkey sandwich and canned pineapple
- C. Cheeseburger and baked potato
- D. Mushroom pizza and ice cream
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sliced turkey sandwich and canned pineapple. Sliced turkey sandwich is appropriate since it is not a highly processed food and canned fruits are low in sodium. All of the other choices contain one or more high-sodium foods.
A client has returned from a cardiac catheterization. Which one of the following findings would indicate the client is experiencing a complication from the procedure?
- A. Increased blood pressure
- B. Increased heart rate
- C. Loss of pulse in the extremity
- D. Decreased urine output
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of pulse in the extremity. Loss of the pulse in the extremity would indicate impaired circulation.
The provider order reads 'Aspirate nasogastric (NG) feeding tube every 4 hours and check pH of aspirate.' The pH of the aspirate is 10. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Hold the tube feeding and notify the provider
- B. Administer the tube feeding as scheduled
- C. Irrigate the tube with diet cola soda
- D. Apply intermittent suction to the feeding tube
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hold the tube feeding and notify the provider. A pH of less than 4 indicates that the tube is appropriately placed in the stomach, a highly acidic environment. A pH higher than 4 (alkaline pH) indicates intestinal placement.