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An emergency room nurse is assessing a client who has asthma and difficulty breathing. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing status asthmaticus?
- A. Mild wheezing
- B. Use of accessory muscles
- C. Decreased respiratory rate
- D. Productive cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Use of accessory muscles. In status asthmaticus, a severe and life-threatening asthma exacerbation, the client's airways are severely constricted, leading to inadequate air exchange. The use of accessory muscles (such as intercostal and supraclavicular muscles) indicates significant respiratory distress as the body tries to compensate for the difficulty in breathing. Mild wheezing (choice A) may be present in asthma but does not necessarily indicate status asthmaticus. Decreased respiratory rate (choice C) is not consistent with the increased respiratory effort seen in status asthmaticus. Productive cough (choice D) is more indicative of conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia, not necessarily status asthmaticus.
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A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who is overusing prescribed diuretics and has a sodium level of 127 mEq/L. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Low urine specific gravity
- B. High urine specific gravity
- C. Elevated potassium levels
- D. Decreased potassium levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Low urine specific gravity. Excessive diuretic use can lead to volume depletion and low sodium levels. Low sodium levels cause the kidneys to excrete more water, resulting in dilute urine with low specific gravity. High urine specific gravity would indicate concentrated urine, which is not expected in this situation. Elevated potassium levels (choice C) are not typically associated with overuse of diuretics, as diuretics can actually lead to potassium loss. Similarly, decreased potassium levels (choice D) are commonly seen with diuretic use due to increased excretion of potassium by the kidneys.
A nurse is assessing a client who has an exacerbation of diverticular disease. In which of the following quadrants should the nurse anticipate the client to be experiencing abdominal pain?
- A. Right lower quadrant
- B. Left lower quadrant
- C. Upper left quadrant
- D. Mid-epigastric area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Left lower quadrant. Diverticular disease commonly causes pain in the left lower quadrant due to inflammation or infection of the diverticula, small pouches that can develop in the colon wall. This area corresponds to the location of the descending and sigmoid colon, where most diverticula occur. Pain in the right lower quadrant (choice A) is more indicative of appendicitis. Upper left quadrant pain (choice C) is more likely related to conditions involving the spleen or stomach. Mid-epigastric pain (choice D) is typically associated with issues related to the stomach or pancreas.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm 3 days ago. The clients vital signs are: temperature 38.3° C (100.9° F), heart rate 80/min, respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg. Which of the following actions is the nurses priority?
- A. Administer an antipyretic for the fever.
- B. Encourage the client to ambulate.
- C. Assess the surgical incision for signs of infection.
- D. Increase IV fluid administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Assess the surgical incision for signs of infection. This is the priority because the client has a fever (indicating possible infection) post-surgery, putting them at risk for complications. Assessing the surgical incision allows for early detection of infection, prompt treatment, and prevention of further complications. Administering an antipyretic (choice A) only addresses the symptom but not the underlying cause. Encouraging ambulation (choice B) and increasing IV fluids (choice D) are important but assessing for infection takes precedence due to the potential severity of an infected surgical site.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 hr postoperative and exhibiting signs of hypovolemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of hypovolemia?
- A. Rapid pulse rate
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Hypertension
- D. Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rapid pulse rate. Following surgery, hypovolemia can occur due to fluid loss. A rapid pulse rate is a common manifestation of hypovolemia as the body compensates for decreased blood volume by increasing heart rate to maintain perfusion. Bradycardia (B) is unlikely with hypovolemia as the body tries to increase cardiac output. Hypertension (C) is not typical in hypovolemia as blood pressure tends to decrease. Peripheral edema (D) is associated with fluid overload, not hypovolemia.
A nurse is assessing a client who takes salmeterol to treat moderate asthma. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication has been effective?
- A. The client has decreased mucus production.
- B. The clients daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures 85% above personal best.
- C. The client has a respiratory rate of 24/min.
- D. The client reports no nighttime coughing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because an increase in the client's daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) by 85% above their personal best indicates improved lung function, which is a positive response to salmeterol. This demonstrates that the medication is effectively managing the asthma symptoms.
Choice A is incorrect because decreased mucus production is not a direct indicator of salmeterol's effectiveness in treating asthma. Choice C is incorrect as the respiratory rate alone does not provide specific information about the medication's effectiveness. Choice D is incorrect since the absence of nighttime coughing may be due to various factors and not solely because of salmeterol's effectiveness.