Following a laryngectomy, the nurse notices that the client has saliva collecting beneath the skin flaps. This finding is indicative of which of the following?
- A. Skin necrosis.
- B. Carotid artery rupture.
- C. Stomal Stenosis.
- D. Development of a fistula.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Saliva collecting beneath skin flaps post-laryngectomy indicates a fistula, where saliva leaks from the pharynx or esophagus into surrounding tissues, requiring immediate attention.
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The nurse is preparing a client with multiple sclerosis (MS) for discharge from the hospital to home. The nurse should tell the client:
- A. "You will need to accept the necessity for a quiet and inactive lifestyle."
- B. "Keep active, use stress reduction strategies, and avoid fatigue."
- C. "Follow good health habits to change the course of the disease."
- D. "Practice using the mechanical aids that you will need when future disabilities arise."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging activity, stress reduction, and fatigue management supports the client's quality of life and symptom control. Inactivity, changing disease course, or premature focus on aids are less appropriate.
A client with acute renal failure has metabolic acidosis. The nurse expects:
- A. Sodium bicarbonate administration.
- B. Increased potassium intake.
- C. Fluid bolus.
- D. High-protein diet.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium bicarbonate corrects metabolic acidosis in acute renal failure.
Contraindications to the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) include which of the following?
- A. Age greater than 60 years.
- B. History of cerebral hemorrhage.
- C. History of heart failure.
- D. Cigarette smoking.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A history of cerebral hemorrhage is an absolute contraindication to t-PA due to the risk of bleeding. Age, heart failure, and smoking are not contraindications.
A client has a chest tube attached to a waterseal drainage system and the nurse notes that the fluid in the chest tube and in the water-seal column has stopped fluctuating. The nurse should determine:
- A. The lung has fully expanded.
- B. The lung has collapsed.
- C. The chest tube is in the pleural space.
- D. The mediastinal space has decreased.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lack of fluctuation in the water-seal column suggests the lung has fully expanded, resolving the pneumothorax. Collapsed lung, tube placement, or mediastinal changes would show other signs.
A client has been in an automobile accident and the nurse is assessing the client for possible pneumothorax. The nurse should assess the client for:
- A. Sudden, sharp chest pain.
- B. Wheezing breath sounds over affected side.
- C. Hemoptysis.
- D. Cyanosis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden, sharp chest pain is a hallmark of pneumothorax due to pleural irritation. Wheezing, hemoptysis, and cyanosis are less specific or occur later.
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