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During an assessment of a patient who sustained a head injury 24 hours ago, the medical-surgical nurse notes the development of slurred speech and disorientation to time and place. The nurse's initial action is to
- A. continue the hourly neurologic assessments.
- B. inform the neurosurgeon of the patient's status.
- C. prepare the patient for emergency surgery.
- D. recheck the patient's neurologic status in 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neurological changes could indicate worsening intracranial pressure, necessitating immediate physician notification.
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While suctioning the endotracheal tube of a client on a ventilator, the nurse notices an increase in the client's heart rate from 86/min to 110/min, with irregularity. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Obtain a cardiology consult.
- B. Suction the client less frequently.
- C. Administer an antidysrhythmic medication.
- D. Perform pre-oxygenation prior to suctioning.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Perform pre-oxygenation prior to suctioning. In this scenario, the increase in heart rate and irregularity could be due to hypoxia resulting from suctioning. Pre-oxygenation helps to ensure adequate oxygenation before the procedure, preventing hypoxia-induced dysrhythmias. By providing oxygen before suctioning, the nurse can minimize the risk of further complications.
Choice A (Obtain a cardiology consult) is incorrect because immediate action is required to address the potential hypoxia, which can be managed by pre-oxygenation.
Choice B (Suction the client less frequently) is incorrect as it does not address the immediate concern of potential hypoxia leading to dysrhythmias.
Choice C (Administer an antidysrhythmic medication) is incorrect as it is not the initial intervention needed in this situation; addressing the underlying cause of potential hypoxia is essential before considering antidysrhythmic medications.
When assessing the health beliefs and practices of an older Hispanic adult, the nurse observes that the client uses a traditional folk healer to manage health problems. How would you respond?
- A. Respectfully acknowledge the practice and integrate it where possible.
- B. Discredit the folk healer's methods.
- C. Insist on conventional medical treatment only.
- D. Ignore the client's preference.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Respecting and integrating traditional practices fosters trust and collaboration in care delivery.
A nurse is caring for four hospitalized clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as being at risk for fluid volume deficit?
- A. The client who has been NPO since midnight for endoscopy
- B. The client who has left-sided heart failure and has a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of 600 pg/mL
- C. The client who has end-stage renal failure and is scheduled for dialysis today
- D. The client who has gastroenteritis and is febrile
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: The client with gastroenteritis is at risk for fluid volume deficit due to vomiting and diarrhea, leading to loss of fluids.
Step 2: Febrile state increases fluid loss through sweating.
Step 3: Combining gastroenteritis and fever exacerbates fluid loss, making this client at high risk.
Step 4: Clients A, B, and C do not have immediate factors contributing to fluid volume deficit as evident from their conditions.
Summary: Client D is at risk due to gastroenteritis and fever causing significant fluid loss. Clients A, B, and C do not have conditions directly leading to fluid deficit.
Which test involves providing quick responses to words like 'mother...', 'work...', et ?
- A. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
- B. Word Association Test
- C. Rorschach Test
- D. Beck Depression Inventory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Word Association Test requires clients to quickly respond to words, revealing unconscious thoughts and emotions through their responses.
A nurse is observing the closed chest drainage system of a client who is 24 hr post thoracotomy. The nurse notes slow, steady bubbling in the suction control chamber. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Check the tubing connections for leaks.
- B. Check the suction control outlet on the wall.
- C. Clamp the chest tube.
- D. Continue to monitor the client's respiratory status.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Check the tubing connections for leaks.
1. Slow, steady bubbling in the suction control chamber indicates an air leak in the system.
2. Checking the tubing connections for leaks is the appropriate action to identify and fix the issue.
3. This helps maintain the integrity of the closed chest drainage system and prevent complications.
Other choices are incorrect:
B: Checking the suction control outlet on the wall is not necessary as the issue is likely within the tubing system.
C: Clamping the chest tube could lead to tension pneumothorax and is not recommended unless ordered by a physician.
D: Continuing to monitor the client's respiratory status does not address the underlying problem of the air leak.