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The nurse is caring for a 75-year-old female client. Nurses' Notes Laboratory Results Diagnostic Results Emergency Department
The client is transferred to the emergency department from a skilled nursing facility for a 3-day history of left lower quadrant abdominal pain rated 8 on a scale of 0-10, loss of appetite, and nausea. Although the client has a history of chronic constipation, she has had 2 or 3 loose stools daily for 1 week. The client reports tenderness on deep palpation of the left lower quadrant. There is an area of blanchable redness on the coccyx. The stool is positive for occult blood.
The client has residual left-sided weakness from an ischemic stroke 2 years ago and ambulates with a walker. The client reports falling several times in the past 6 months; the last fall was 3 weeks ago No ecchymosis or injuries are noted. The client had a hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine fibroids 20 years ago. Vital signs are T 100 F (37.8 C), P 98, RR 17, BP 126/68, and SpOz 97% on room air.
Medical-Surgical Unit: 4 Days Later
The client continues to experience left lower quadrant pain, decreased appetite, and nausea. Today, she developed chills. Stool frequency has not increased. Severe tenderness is noted in the left lower quadrant, and a mass is palpable. Vital signs are T 101.3 F (38.5 C), P 112, RR 17, BP 110/80, SpO, 97% on room air.
Click to highlight below the findings that are most concerning at this time.
- A. The client is transferred to the emergency department from a skilled nursing facility for a 3-day history of left lower quadrant abdominal pain rated 8 on a scale of 0-10, loss of appetite, and nausea.
- B. Although the client has a history of chronic constipation, she has had 2 or 3 loose stools daily for 1 week.
- C. The client reports tenderness on deep palpation of the left lower quadrant. There is an area of blanchable redness on the coccyx. The stool is positive for occult blood.
- D. The client has residual left-sided weakness from an ischemic stroke 2 years ago and ambulates with a walker.
- E. The client reports falling several times in the past 6 months; the last fall was 3 weeks ago. No ecchymosis or injuries are noted.
- F. The client had a hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine fibroids 20 years ago. Vital signs are T 100 F (37.8 C), P 98, RR 17, BP 126/68, and SpO2 97% on room air.
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Severe abdominal pain with nausea and tenderness with occult blood suggest acute diverticulitis, requiring urgent evaluation.
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The nurse is assisting the registered nurse with caring for a client who is at 36 weeks gestation. History and Physical Vital Signs
General - Client is gravida 2 para 1 at 36 weeks gestation; reports a throbbing headache rated as / on a scale of 0-10, blurred vision, and epigastric pain; client states that she took 1000 mg of acetaminophen 2 hours ago with no relief, medical history includes seasonal allergies and exercise-induced asthma
Neurological -Patellar deep tendon reflexes 2+ bilaterally, clonus absent
Cardiovascular -Heart tones normal; facial edema noted; +2 pitting edema in bilateral upper extremities; +3 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal -Client reports fetal movement, no contractions noted; soft uterine resting tone on palpation
Genitourinary -Cervical examination: 1 cm dilated, 0% effaced, -3 fetal station, cephalic fetal presentation, amniotic membranes intact; cesarean birth 5 years ago at 40 weeks gestation for breech fetal presentation, resulting in delivery of healthy newborn
Which finding is a priority for the nurse?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Cervical examination
- C. Deep tendon reflexes
- D. Gestational age of fetus Body
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure is a critical finding in suspected preeclampsia, indicating a risk for severe complications.
The nurse is caring for a 68-year-old client who is brought to the emergency department due to confusion.
History and Physical Body System Findings
General- Client's adult child reports the confusion started this morning, following 3 days of fever and productive cough; medical history includes small bowel resection 10 days ago, chronic heart failure, and coronary artery disease
Neurological- Client is drowsy and oriented to person only, but intermittently agitated Integumentary- Small abdominal surgical incision is present over lower left quadrant, edges are well approximated, and no redness or drainage is noted
Pulmonary- Vital signs are RR 24 and SpO 90% on room air; labored breathing is observed, and crackles and diminished breath sounds are auscultated over right lower chest; client is expectorating yellow sputum; history includes smoking a pack of cigarettes daily for the past 40 years
Cardiovascular- Vital signs are T 102.9 F (39.4 C), P 110, and BP 110/70; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; bilateral lower extremity edema is 1+; ECG shows sinus tachycardia
Gastrointestinal- Normoactive bowel sounds are auscultated; client's last bowel movement was 1 day ago
Genitourinary- Client voided concentrated yellow urine
Based on the clinical findings, the nurse should be most concerned about which 3 potential complications?
- A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- B. Deep venous thrombosis
- C. Pressure injury
- D. Sepsis
- E. Urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: A,D
Rationale: Pneumonia risks include ARDS and sepsis due to infection and respiratory compromise.
The nurse is assisting the registered nurse with caring for a client who is at 36 weeks gestation. History and Physical Vital Signs
General - Client is gravida 2 para 1 at 36 weeks gestation; reports a throbbing headache rated as / on a scale of 0-10, blurred vision, and epigastric pain; client states that she took 1000 mg of acetaminophen 2 hours ago with no relief, medical history includes seasonal allergies and exercise-induced asthma
Neurological -Patellar deep tendon reflexes 2+ bilaterally, clonus absent
Cardiovascular -Heart tones normal; facial edema noted; +2 pitting edema in bilateral upper extremities; +3 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal -Client reports fetal movement, no contractions noted; soft uterine resting tone on palpation
Genitourinary -Cervical examination: 1 cm dilated, 0% effaced, -3 fetal station, cephalic fetal presentation, amniotic membranes intact; cesarean birth 5 years ago at 40 weeks gestation for breech fetal presentation, resulting in delivery of healthy newborn
After collecting data on the client, which action should the nurse perform immediately?
- A. Alert the registered nurse
- B. Collect a blood specimen for serum magnesium level
- C. Perform fundal massage
- D. Request a prescription for IV fluids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alerting the registered nurse ensures rapid escalation of care for potential postpartum complications in preeclampsia.
The nurse is caring for a 68-year-old client in the emergency department.
History Physical Vital Signs
Admission: The client comes to the emergency department with progressively worsening back pain that began 3 weeks ago. The pain has become significantly worse over the past 12 hours. Pain level is rated as 8 on a scale of 0-10. The client was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and has had a poor response to treatment. This morning, the client had trouble walking and reports decreased sensation in the feet. The client also reports mild nausea, difficulty urinating, decreased urinary sensation, and no bowel movement in the past 3 days
For each finding, click to specify whether the finding indicates that the client's condition has improved or not improved.
- A. Muscle strength is rated 4/5
- B. Deep tendon reflexes are rated 2+
- C. Client is experiencing constipation
- D. The client rates pain as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
- E. Reports feeling sensation with touch to the lower extremities
- F. Bladder scan immediately after voiding indicates residual urine
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Improved strength , normal reflexes , and sensation indicate recovery. Constipation , pain , and residual urine suggest ongoing issues.
The nurse is caring for a 55-year-old client in the clinic.
History and Physical
Body System
Findings: General - The client reports cramping pain in the left calf that has worsened over the past year. The pain is precipitated by walking and is partially relieved with rest. The client reports difficulty walking more than 3 blocks. Height: 72 in (182.9 cm), weight: 250 lb (113.4 kg), BMI: 33.9 kg/m?
Pulmonary- Vital signs are RR 16, SpO, 97% on room air. Client reports smoking 1 pack of cigarettes daily for the past 35 years. Breath sounds are mildly decreased throughout with mild prolonged expiration. Client has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Cardiovascular- Vital signs are T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 82, BP 146/82. S1 and S2 heard on auscultation. The left lower extremity (LLE) is cooler to touch than the right and appears shiny with sparse hair. LLE pulses: femoral 2+, popliteal 1+, posterior tibia 1+, dorsalis pedis audible with Doppler. LLE capillary refill >3 sec. Client has a history of hypertension.
Gastrointestinal- Client is obese. No tenderness, guarding, masses, bruits, or hepatosplenomegaly.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.
- A. Elevate your legs several times during the day to relieve pain.'
- B. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.'
- C. Inspect your feet daily for any wounds.'
- D. Use a heating blanket if your legs get cold.'
- E. Walk each day until you have leg pain, rest for 10 minutes, and then continue walking.'
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: Healthy diet , foot inspections , and supervised walking are appropriate. Elevation is for venous issues, and heating blankets risk burns in poor perfusion.