Nokea
An emergency department nurse is performing an assessment on a child with a suspected diagnosis of intussusception. Which assessment question for the parents will elicit the most specific data related to this disorder?
- A. Does the child have any food allergies?
- B. What do the bowel movements look like?
- C. Has the child eaten any food in the last 24 hours?
- D. Can you describe the type of pain that the child is experiencing?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is asking the parents to describe the type of pain the child is experiencing because a report of severe colicky abdominal pain in a healthy, thriving child between 3 and 17 months of age is the classic presentation of intussusception. Typical behavior includes screaming and drawing the knees up to the chest. This specific question helps in identifying the key symptom of intussusception. Choices A, B, and C are important aspects of a health history but are not specific to the diagnosis of intussusception. Food allergies, bowel movements, and recent food intake are relevant for a comprehensive assessment but do not directly relate to the specific symptoms of intussusception.
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A client is admitted to the emergency room with renal calculi and is complaining of moderate to severe flank pain and nausea. The client's temperature is 100.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The priority nursing goal for this client is:
- A. Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
- B. Control nausea
- C. Manage pain
- D. Prevent urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the scenario presented, the priority nursing goal for a client with renal calculi experiencing moderate to severe flank pain and nausea should be to manage pain. Pain management is crucial as it alleviates suffering, improves comfort, and enhances the quality of life for the client. In the case of ureteral colic from renal calculi, the cornerstone of management is effective pain control. Prompt analgesia, typically achieved with parenteral narcotics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is essential to provide relief and facilitate the passage of the calculi. While maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance is important in clients with renal calculi, addressing pain takes precedence as it directly impacts the client's immediate well-being. Controlling nausea and preventing urinary tract infections are also important aspects of care, but they are secondary to managing the primary concern of pain in this urgent situation.
A 1-year-old child is diagnosed with intussusception, and the mother of the child asks the student nurse to describe the disorder. Which statement by the student nurse indicates correct understanding of this disorder?
- A. It is an acute bowel obstruction.
- B. It is a condition that causes an acute inflammatory process in the bowel.
- C. It is a condition in which a distal segment of the bowel prolapses into a proximal segment of the bowel.
- D. It is a condition in which a proximal segment of the bowel prolapses into a distal segment of the bowel.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Intussusception is a condition in which a proximal segment of the bowel telescopes or prolapses into a distal segment of the bowel. This leads to bowel obstruction and potential ischemia. It is not an acute bowel obstruction, as the obstruction is caused by the telescoping of bowel segments rather than a blockage in the bowel lumen. Intussusception is not primarily an inflammatory process; instead, it is a mechanical issue involving bowel invagination. Choice A is incorrect as it does not accurately describe the pathophysiology of intussusception. Choice C is incorrect because it presents the opposite scenario of what happens in intussusception.
Septic, anaphylactic, and neurogenic shock are all categorized as:
- A. Hypovolemic shock
- B. Cardiogenic shock
- C. Distributive shock
- D. Obstructive shock
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Septic, anaphylactic, and neurogenic shock are all types of distributive shock. Distributive shock is characterized by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance, leading to poor tissue perfusion. Septic shock is caused by severe infection, anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic reaction, and neurogenic shock results from damage to the nervous system. Hypovolemic shock (Choice A) is characterized by a decrease in intravascular volume, cardiogenic shock (Choice B) is due to heart failure, and obstructive shock (Choice D) results from obstruction of blood flow. Therefore, the correct categorization for septic, anaphylactic, and neurogenic shock is distributive shock.
A 15-year-old female who ingested 15 tablets of maximum strength acetaminophen 45
minutes ago is rushed to the emergency department. Which of these orders should the
nurse do first?
- A. Gastric lavage
- B. Administer acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) orally
- C. Start an IV Dextrose 5% with 0.33% normal saline to keep the vein open
- D. Have the patient drink activated charcoal mixed with water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acetaminophen overdose is extremely toxic to the liver causing
hepatotoxicity. Early symptoms of hepatic damage include nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If not treated immediately, hepatic necrosis occurs
and may lead to death. Removing as much of the drug as possible is the first step in
treatment for acetaminophen overdose, this is best done through gastric lavage.
Gastric lavage (irrigation) and aspiration consist of flushing the stomach with fluids
and then aspirating the fluid back out. This procedure is done in life-threatening
cases such as acetaminophen toxicity and only if less than one (1) hour has
occurred after ingestion.
Which of the following statements made by a client during an individual therapy session would the nurse most identify as reflecting schizoaffective disorder?
- A. ''I just want to stab myself with this pen.''
- B. ''What's the point in life anyways?''
- C. ''My thoughts are racing because of the conspiracies against me.''
- D. ''I hear voices every day and sometimes see old friends that don't exist.''
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is, ''My thoughts are racing because of the conspiracies against me.'' Schizoaffective disorder combines the symptoms of bipolar disorder (mania and depression) with those of schizophrenia (delusions and disturbed thought processes). Racing thoughts are a characteristic symptom of a manic episode, while beliefs in conspiracies indicate paranoia, which are common in schizoaffective disorder. Choices A, B, and D do not specifically align with the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder. Choice A suggests self-harm, which may be seen in various mental health conditions; choice B reflects existential questioning or depression; and choice D describes hallucinations, which are more characteristic of schizophrenia rather than schizoaffective disorder.