Nokea
An oncology patient has just returned from the postanesthesia care unit after an open hemicolectomy. This patients plan of nursing care should prioritize which of the following?
- A. Assess the patient hourly for signs of compartment syndrome.
- B. Assess the patients fine motor skills once per shift.
- C. Assess the patients wound for dehiscence every 4 hours.
- D. Maintain the patients head of bed at 45 degrees or more at all times.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because assessing the patient's wound for dehiscence every 4 hours is crucial post hemicolectomy to monitor for any signs of wound complications, such as infection or tissue breakdown. This allows for early detection and intervention, promoting optimal wound healing and preventing potential complications.
Choice A is incorrect as compartment syndrome is not a common complication after a hemicolectomy, and assessing for it hourly would be excessive and unnecessary.
Choice B is incorrect as assessing fine motor skills is not a priority in the immediate postoperative period following a hemicolectomy.
Choice D is incorrect as maintaining the patient's head of bed at 45 degrees or more is important for preventing respiratory complications, but it is not the top priority compared to wound assessment for dehiscence in this scenario.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which major neonatal complication is carefully monitored after the birth of the infant of a diabetic mother?
- A. Hypoglycemia
- B. Hypercalcemia
- C. Hypoinsulinemia
- D. Hypobilirubinemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypoglycemia. Infants of diabetic mothers are at risk for hypoglycemia due to excessive insulin production in response to high glucose levels in utero. Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial to prevent hypoglycemia-related complications.
B: Hypercalcemia is not a major neonatal complication seen in infants of diabetic mothers.
C: Hypoinsulinemia refers to low levels of insulin, which is not typically a concern in infants of diabetic mothers.
D: Hypobilirubinemia is not a common complication in infants of diabetic mothers.
In summary, monitoring for hypoglycemia is essential in infants of diabetic mothers to prevent potential complications.
The nurse is discharging a patient home after surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. What advice should the nurse provide to this patient in order to reduce the risk of injury?
- A. Avoid watching television or using a computer for more than 1 hour at a time.
- B. Use OTC antibiotic eye drops for at least 14 days.
- C. Avoid rubbing the eye on the affected side of the face.
- D. Rinse the eye on the affected side with normal saline daily for 1 week.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Trigeminal neuralgia involves severe facial pain, often triggered by touch or movement.
Step 2: Rubbing the eye on the affected side can trigger pain due to the trigeminal nerve involvement.
Step 3: Therefore, advising the patient to avoid rubbing the eye on the affected side is crucial to prevent pain exacerbation and potential injury.
Step 4: Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the risk of injury related to trigeminal neuralgia.
A nurse who provides care on an acute medical unit has observed that physicians are frequently reluctant to refer patients to hospice care. What are contributing factors that are known to underlie this tendency? Select all that apply.
- A. Financial pressures on health care providers
- B. Patient reluctance to accept this type of care
- C. Strong association of hospice care with prolonging death
- D. Advances in curative treatment in late-stage illness E) Ease of making a terminal diagnosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Financial pressures on health care providers. Physicians may be reluctant to refer patients to hospice care due to financial pressures. This could be because hospice care may be seen as less profitable compared to other treatments or services. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Patient reluctance is not a contributing factor from the physician's perspective. C: Hospice care is actually focused on comfort and quality of life, not prolonging death. D: Advances in curative treatment may not be directly related to physician reluctance to refer to hospice. E: Ease of making a terminal diagnosis is not a significant factor influencing physician reluctance.
The nurse care plan for a patient with AIDS includes the diagnosis of Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity. What nursing intervention should be included in the plan of care?
- A. Maximize the patients fluid intake.
- B. Provide total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
- C. Keep the patients bed linens free of wrinkles.
- D. Provide the patient with snug clothing at all times.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Keep the patient's bed linens free of wrinkles. This intervention is important in preventing pressure ulcers, a common complication in patients with impaired skin integrity. Wrinkles in bed linens can create pressure points on the skin, leading to skin breakdown. By keeping the bed linens smooth and wrinkle-free, the patient's skin is protected from excessive pressure, reducing the risk of impaired skin integrity.
A: Maximizing fluid intake is important for overall health but is not directly related to preventing impaired skin integrity.
B: Providing total parenteral nutrition may support the patient's nutritional needs but does not specifically address the risk of impaired skin integrity.
D: Providing snug clothing can increase friction and pressure on the skin, potentially worsening the risk of impaired skin integrity.
A 42-year-old man has come to the clinic for an annual physical. The nurse notes in the patients history that his father was treated for breast cancer. What should the nurse provide to the patient before he leaves the clinic?
- A. A referral for a mammogram
- B. Instructions about breast self-examination (BSE)
- C. A referral to a surgeon
- D. A referral to a support group
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: A referral for a mammogram. Given the family history of breast cancer in the patient's father, the nurse should recommend a mammogram as a preventive measure due to increased risk. Mammograms are effective in detecting breast cancer early, especially in individuals with a family history. This can help in early diagnosis and timely intervention if needed.
B: Instructions about breast self-examination (BSE) can be helpful, but in this case, a mammogram is a more definitive screening tool for high-risk individuals.
C: A referral to a surgeon is not necessary at this point as the patient does not exhibit any symptoms of breast cancer.
D: Referral to a support group may be beneficial for emotional support, but the priority should be on proactive screening measures like a mammogram.