The nurse is caring for an 84-year-old client with dementia.
Nurses' Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
Day 1: The left antecubital peripheral IV insertion site has no erythema or edema, and the catheter flushes easily. The dressing is clean, dry, and intact. Potassium chloride infusion is initiated.
Day 3: Potassium chloride is infusing. The area surrounding the IV site is taut, edematous, blanched, and cool to the touch. Small, fluid-filled vesicles are noted around the IV site. Capillary refill distal to the IV site is >3 seconds. The client is grimacing and unable to verbally report pain.
For each potential intervention, click to specify if the potential intervention is appropriate or not appropriate for the care of client.
- A. Elevate the affected extremity
- B. Apply pressure to the affected area
- C. Discontinue the potassium chloride infusion
- D. Aspirate the potassium chloride from the IV catheter
- E. Leave the IV catheter in place for potential antidote administration
Correct Answer: A: Appropriate, B: Not Appropriate, C: Appropriate, D: Not Appropriate, E: Appropriate
Rationale: The symptoms suggest IV infiltration with potassium chloride, which is caustic. Elevating the extremity (A) reduces swelling. Discontinuing the infusion (C) prevents further damage. Leaving the catheter in place (E) allows for potential antidote administration. Applying pressure (B) may worsen tissue damage, and aspirating (D) is not standard for infiltration.
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The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit.
History and Physical
General
The client is vomiting bright red blood; medical history includes alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension; the client was admitted a year ago for alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis
Neurological
The client is oriented to person and place; the pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Yellow scleras are noted
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18, SpO 94% on room air
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, BP 90/40; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses are 2+ in all extremities; 1+ edema is noted at the bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal
The abdomen is distended and nontender to palpation; the flanks are dull to percussion; bowel sounds are hypoactive; distended veins are present around the umbilicus
Genitourinary
Client is voiding amber-colored urine
The nurse is monitoring the transfusion of prescribed packed RBCs (PRBCs) initiated by the registered nurse. Which of the following actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
- A. The blood transfusion rate is set to infuse over 6 hours
- B. The blood transfusion tubing is primed with lactated Ringer solution
- C. The nurse stays with the client for the first 15 minutes of the transfusion
- D. The PRBCs are administered through Y-type tubing with an in-line filter
- E. The registered nurse verifies client and blood product identifiers with the licensed practical nurse
Correct Answer: C,D
Rationale: C) Appropriate: Staying for the first 15 minutes monitors for transfusion reactions. D) Appropriate: Y-type tubing with an in-line filter is standard for PRBCs to prevent complications. A) Inappropriate: PRBCs typically infuse over 2-4 hours, not 6, to avoid fluid overload. B) Inappropriate: Tubing is primed with normal saline, not lactated Ringer's, to prevent hemolysis. E) Inappropriate: Verification requires two registered nurses, not an LPN.
The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
Progress Notes
Emergency Department
0900: The client is brought to the emergency department by a family member after being found confused and lethargic. On arrival, the client is obtunded and does not respond to verbal stimuli.
Medical history includes major depressive disorder and chronic neck and back pain after a motor vehicle collision 2 years ago. The family member states that the client takes multiple medications but does not know which kind. The client was divorced a few months ago.
Physical examination shows 1-mm pupils, shallow breathing, and reduced bowel sounds. Fingerstick blood glucose is 78 mg/dL (4.3 mmol/L). ECG reveals normal sinus rhythm. Breath alcohol test is negative.
Vital signs: T 98.1 F (36.7 C), P 62, RR 8, BP 80/40, SpO, 94% on room air.
Select client findings that are most concerning to the nurse.
- A. The client is brought to the emergency department by a family member after being found confused and lethargic.
- B. The client is obtunded and does not respond to verbal stimuli.
- C. Medical history includes major depressive disorder and chronic neck and back pain after a motor vehicle collision 2 years ago.
- D. Physical examination shows 1-mm pupils, shallow breathing, and reduced bowel sounds.
- E. Fingerstick blood glucose is 78 mg/dL (4.3 mmol/L).
- F. Vital signs: T 98.1 F (36.7 C), P 62, RR 8, BP 80/40, SpO2 94% on room air.
Correct Answer: B,C,E,G
Rationale: B: Obtundation indicates severe CNS depression. C: Though listed as a choice, it repeats B and is likely a typo; assuming it refers to the same finding, it's concerning. E: Pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, and reduced bowel sounds suggest opioid intoxication. G: Low BP and slow respiratory rate are life-threatening. A is less urgent, D is historical, and F is normal.
The nurse is caring for a client on the medical-surgical unit.
History
Admission
0500: The client is admitted with an abscess and cellulitis of the right leg. The abscess is noted on the lateral aspect of the right calf, with redness, swelling, and warmth extending from the knee to the ankle. The abscess was incised in the emergency department, and a moderate amount of purulent, yellowish-green drainage was noted. The leg was wrapped with gauze, and the client received the first dose of IV antibiotics and opioids for pain control.
The client reports chronic lower back pain and gastrosophageal reflux disease, and he was admitted to the hospital once last year for gastrointestinal bleeding. He is currently prescribed daily pantoprazole but takes it only a few times a week.
Vital signs: T 100.9 F (38.3 C), P 82, RR 14, BP 130/80, SpO, 95% on room air
Progress Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
2300:
The client reports nausea, headache, and insomnia. The client is trembling, diaphoretic, and restless.
The client states, "I would sleep better if those mice and cats would stop climbing up and down the walls."
The upper portion of the clients dressing is saturated with yellowish-green drainage. The peripheral V was removed by the client, and dried blood is noted at the IV site. The IV catheter is on the floor. The client yelled and pushed the nurse's hands away during inspection of the IV site.
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, RR 18, BP 170/96, SpO≥ 95% on room air
The nurse is planning care with the registered nurse. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of the client.
- A. Keep the room well lit
- B. Keep the client on NPO status
- C. Administer 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion
- D. Place padding on the headboard and side rails of the bed
- E. Turn the television to a channel with news about current events
- F. Evaluate the client's behavior with a standardized assessment tool
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Rationale: A: Anticipated - Keeping the room well lit reduces confusion and hallucinations in alcohol withdrawal. B: Unanticipated - NPO status is not indicated unless specific conditions (e.g., surgery) apply. C: Anticipated - IV fluids support hydration during withdrawal. D: Anticipated - Padding prevents injury during potential seizures. E: Unanticipated - News may increase agitation. F: Anticipated - Standardized tools (e.g., CIWA-Ar) assess withdrawal severity.
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
Select the findings that require immediate follow-up.
- A. The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious
- B. Vital signs are RR 22, SpO2 89% on room air;
- C. Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60;
- D. chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10
- E. The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg
- G.
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: B: SpO2 of 89% indicates hypoxemia, requiring immediate oxygen supplementation. C: Tachycardia (P 110) and low BP (110/60) suggest cardiovascular instability, needing urgent evaluation. D: Severe chest pain (7/10) warrants immediate investigation for potential cardiac or pulmonary issues. A: Anxiety is noted but not immediately life-threatening. E: Musculoskeletal issues are chronic and do not require immediate follow-up.
The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit.
History and Physical
General
The client is vomiting bright red blood; medical history includes alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension; the client was admitted a year ago for alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis
Neurological
The client is oriented to person and place; the pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Yellow scleras are noted
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18, SpO 94% on room air
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, BP 90/40; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses are 2+ in all extremities; 1+ edema is noted at the bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal
The abdomen is distended and nontender to palpation; the flanks are dull to percussion; bowel sounds are hypoactive; distended veins are present around the umbilicus
Genitourinary
Client is voiding amber-colored urine
Which of the following complications are related to liver cirrhosis? Select all that apply.
- A. Abdominal ascites
- B. Coagulopathies
- C. Esophageal varices
- D. Hepatic encephalopathy
- E. Malnutrition
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: Liver cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension and impaired liver function, causing: A) Abdominal ascites due to fluid accumulation from portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia; B) Coagulopathies from decreased synthesis of clotting factors; C) Esophageal varices from portal hypertension causing collateral vein formation; D) Hepatic encephalopathy from ammonia buildup due to impaired liver detoxification; E) Malnutrition from impaired nutrient metabolism and absorption.
Nokea