For each finding, click to specify whether the finding indic...

The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old client in the emergency department.
Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.

History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious

Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.

Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10

Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg

Diagnostic Results
CT pulmonary angiography
1030: Pulmonary embolism is confirmed

Lower extremity doppler ultrasound
1100: Deep venous thrombosis is noted in the right lower extremity.

For each finding, click to specify whether the finding indicates that the client's status has improved or declined.

A. HR 90
B. RR 18
C. SpO2 92% on room air
D. Decreased platelet count
E. Pain rated as 3 on a scale of 0-10

Correct Answer: A: Improved; B: Improved; C: Improved; D: Declined; E: Improved

Rationale: A: HR 90 (down from 110) indicates improved cardiovascular stability. B: RR 18 (down from 22) suggests improved respiratory status. C: SpO2 92% (up from 89%) indicates improved oxygenation. D: Decreased platelet count suggests a decline, possibly due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. E: Pain rated 3 (down from 7) indicates improved pain control.

Which of the following statements by the nurse indicate a correct understanding of heparin therapy? Select all that apply.

A. Clients who have had recent surgeries or have a history of hemorrhagic stroke should not receive heparin.
B. Heparin is administered via IV infusion pump.
C. Heparin requires two licensed health care personnel to verify the infusion rate.
D. Heparin should be discontinued if platelets decrease significantly.
E. I will collect a blood specimen for a complete blood count and coagulation panel before heparin is initiated.
F. The heparin dose is adjusted based on frequently checked PT/INR results.

Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E

Rationale: A: Correct, as recent surgery or hemorrhagic stroke are contraindications due to bleeding risk. B: Correct, as heparin is typically administered via IV infusion pump for precise dosing. C: Correct, as high-risk medications like heparin often require dual verification. D: Correct, as significant platelet decrease may indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, requiring discontinuation. E: Correct, as baseline CBC and coagulation panels are needed before starting heparin. F: Incorrect, as heparin dosing is adjusted based on aPTT, not PT/INR, which is used for warfarin.

Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.

History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious

Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.

Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10

Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg

For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism.

A. Dyspnea
B. Chest pain
C. Hypoxemia
D. Sinus tachycardia
E. Right lower extremity redness and edema

Correct Answer: A: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; B: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; C: Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; D: Myocardial infarction, Pulmonary embolism; E: Pulmonary embolism

Rationale: A: Dyspnea is common in all three due to impaired oxygenation or cardiac output. B: Chest pain occurs in all three, though the nature varies (e.g., pleuritic in pneumonia/PE, crushing in MI). C: Hypoxemia is typical in pneumonia (due to alveolar impairment) and PE (due to ventilation-perfusion mismatch). D: Sinus tachycardia is seen in MI (due to cardiac stress) and PE (due to hypoxia and embolism). E: Right lower extremity redness and edema suggest DVT, which is strongly associated with PE.

The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.

For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of postoperative ileus or small bowel obstruction.

A. Vomiting
B. Abdominal pain
C. Abdominal distension
D. Hypoactive bowel sounds

Correct Answer: A,B,C,D

Rationale: A: Consistent with both - Vomiting occurs in both postoperative ileus and small bowel obstruction due to impaired gut motility or blockage. B: Consistent with both - Abdominal pain is common in both conditions due to distension or obstruction. C: Consistent with both - Abdominal distension results from gas/fluid accumulation in both. D: Consistent with both - Hypoactive bowel sounds reflect reduced peristalsis in ileus or obstruction.

The nurse is caring for a 25-year-old female client.
History and Physical
Body System
General
Client reports jitteriness, anxiety, and palpitations for the past 2 months. Fine hand tremor is noted. Client reports insomnia for approximately 1 week.
Integumentary
Client is diaphoretic.
Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Exophthalmos is noted. Goiter is present.
Gastrointestinal
Client reports 10 lb (4.5 kg) weight loss over the past month. Bowel sounds are normoactive. Client reports diarrhea for the past few days.
Reproductive
Last menstrual period was 3 months ago.
Vital Signs
T 99.2 F (37.3 C)
P 164
RR 22
BP 156/92

For each potential prescription, click to specify whether the prescription is anticipated or not anticipated at this time.

A. Administer propranolol
B. Administer methimazole
C. Perform a pregnancy test
D. Maintain a high-calorie diet
E. Offer moisturizing eye drops
F. Maintain continuous cardiac monitoring
G. Administer thyroid hormone replacement

Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E,F

Rationale: A: Propranolol is anticipated to manage tachycardia and palpitations. B: Methimazole is anticipated to treat hyperthyroidism by reducing thyroid hormone production. C: A pregnancy test is anticipated due to the absence of menstruation for 3 months, as pregnancy can affect treatment choices. D: A high-calorie diet is anticipated to address weight loss and increased metabolism. E: Moisturizing eye drops are anticipated for exophthalmos-related eye dryness. F: Continuous cardiac monitoring is anticipated due to the high pulse rate (164). G: Thyroid hormone replacement is not anticipated, as the client has hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.

The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
History and Physical
Neurological
The client is alert and oriented to time, place, person, and situation; the client reports sudden-onset right-sided facial drooping, speech is slurred; positive right-sided arm drift is seen
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Bilateral pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation

Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 16, SpO, 95% on room air, lung sounds are clear bilaterally

Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 86, BP 166/90; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; no murmurs are noted; the client has a history of hypertension

Musculoskeletal
Right-sided lower extremity weakness is seen

Endocrine
The client has diabetes mellitus

Psychosocial
The client reports drinking one glass of wine each evening with dinner, no tobacco use, and a history of major depression; the client takes sertraline.

Select findings that require immediate follow-up.

A. The client is alert and oriented to time, place, person, and situation.
B. The client reports sudden-onset right-sided facial drooping.
C. Bilateral pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
D. Vital signs: RR 16
E. The client has a history of hypertension
F. The client has diabetes mellitus
G. Right-sided lower extremity weakness is seen

Correct Answer: B, G

Rationale: Sudden-onset right-sided facial drooping (B) and lower extremity weakness (G) are signs of a possible stroke, requiring urgent evaluation. Being alert (A), normal pupils (C), and normal respiratory rate (D) are stable findings. Hypertension (E) and diabetes (F) are chronic and less urgent in this context.