During a change-of-shift assessment, a nurse is evaluating four clients. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider first?
- A. Client with cystic fibrosis who has a thick productive cough and reports thirst
- B. Client with gastroenteritis who is lethargic and confused
- C. Client with diabetes mellitus who has a morning fasting glucose of 185 mg/dL
- D. Client with sickle cell anemia who reports pain 15 minutes after receiving analgesic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should report the client with gastroenteritis who is lethargic and confused to the provider first. Lethargy and confusion in a client with gastroenteritis may indicate dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, both of which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. The other options indicate important assessments that require intervention but do not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to the client with signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia. The nurse asks the client to interpret the following statement: "When the cat's away, the mice will play." The client responds, "The mice come out when the cat is not around." The nurse should document this finding as:
- A. Echolalia
- B. Associative looseness
- C. Neologisms
- D. Concrete thinking
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client's literal interpretation of the statement is an example of concrete thinking, a cognitive symptom often seen in schizophrenia where abstract thinking is impaired. Choice A, Echolalia, is the repetition of words spoken by others, which is not demonstrated in this scenario. Choice B, Associative looseness, refers to a disturbance in the logical progression of thoughts, leading to a disorganized thought process. Choice C, Neologisms, involves creating new words or phrases with unique meanings, which is not evident in the client's response.
A nurse is assessing a client who has pericarditis. Which of the following findings is the priority?
- A. Paradoxical pulse
- B. Dependent edema
- C. Pericardial friction rub
- D. Substernal chest pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Paradoxical pulse. Paradoxical pulse, which is a significant drop in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, indicates cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening complication of pericarditis. This finding requires immediate attention as it suggests potential compromised cardiac function. Choices B, C, and D are associated with pericarditis but do not indicate the same level of urgency as paradoxical pulse.
A nurse is monitoring a client during an IV urography procedure. Which of the following client reports is the priority finding?
- A. Feeling flushed and warm
- B. Abdominal fullness
- C. Swollen lips
- D. Metallic taste in the mouth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Swollen lips indicate a potential allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to the contrast dye used during the procedure, which requires immediate medical intervention. Abdominal fullness and metallic taste are common side effects of IV urography and can be managed without urgent intervention. Feeling flushed and warm may also be a common reaction during the procedure and does not indicate a life-threatening situation like an allergic reaction.
A nurse is developing discharge care plans for a client who has osteoporosis. To prevent injury, the nurse should instruct the client to:
- A. Perform weight-bearing exercises
- B. Avoid crossing the legs beyond the midline
- C. Avoid sitting in one position for prolonged periods
- D. Splint the affected area
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Perform weight-bearing exercises. Weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones and help prevent fractures, which is crucial for clients with osteoporosis. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding crossing the legs beyond the midline and avoiding sitting in one position for prolonged periods are general recommendations for preventing musculoskeletal issues but are not specific to osteoporosis. Splinting the affected area is not a standard practice for managing osteoporosis and preventing fractures.
A charge nurse is discussing the use of applying ice to a client's injured knee with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following is a benefit of this treatment?
- A. Systemic analgesic effect
- B. Increase in metabolism
- C. Decreased capillary permeability
- D. Vasodilation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreased capillary permeability. Ice application helps decrease capillary permeability, which in turn reduces swelling and inflammation at the injury site. This vasoconstriction effect helps to limit the extent of the injury. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Applying ice locally does not produce a systemic analgesic effect but rather a localized numbing effect. It does not increase metabolism but rather slows down metabolic processes in the affected area. Additionally, ice application causes vasoconstriction, not vasodilation.
Nokea