The nurse is caring for a 75-year-old female client. Nurses' Notes Laboratory Results Diagnostic Results Emergency Department
The client is transferred to the emergency department from a skilled nursing facility for a 3-day history of left lower quadrant abdominal pain rated 8 on a scale of 0-10, loss of appetite, and nausea. Although the client has a history of chronic constipation, she has had 2 or 3 loose stools daily for 1 week. The client reports tenderness on deep palpation of the left lower quadrant. There is an area of blanchable redness on the coccyx. The stool is positive for occult blood.
The client has residual left-sided weakness from an ischemic stroke 2 years ago and ambulates with a walker. The client reports falling several times in the past 6 months; the last fall was 3 weeks ago No ecchymosis or injuries are noted. The client had a hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine fibroids 20 years ago. Vital signs are T 100 F (37.8 C), P 98, RR 17, BP 126/68, and SpOz 97% on room air.
Medical-Surgical Unit: 4 Days Later
The client continues to experience left lower quadrant pain, decreased appetite, and nausea. Today, she developed chills. Stool frequency has not increased. Severe tenderness is noted in the left lower quadrant, and a mass is palpable. Vital signs are T 101.3 F (38.5 C), P 112, RR 17, BP 110/80, SpO, 97% on room air.
For each potential intervention, click to specify the intervention is expected or not expected for the care of the client at this time.
- A. Keep NPO
- B. Maintain IV fluids
- C. Administer antibiotics
- D. Apply heating pad to abdomen
- E. Verify consent for abdominal surgery
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: NPO status , IV fluids , and antibiotics are expected for acute diverticulitis. Heating pads worsen inflammation, and surgery is not immediate.
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The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old client accompanied by the parents.
History and Physical
Body System
Findings
General
Client is brought to the emergency department due to
shortness of breath; medical history includes cystic fibrosis
and many previous hospital admissions for pneumonia; in the
3rd percentile for height and weight
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time; no neurologic
deficits
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 30, SpO, 87% on room air; moderate
subcostal retractions; bilateral wheezing and coarse crackles
throughout lung fields with fine inspiratory crackles at left lung
base; paroxysmal coughing that produces thick, yellow,
blood-tinged sputum; parents report that the client has begun
to become "winded" after showering and other activities Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 101.7 F (38.7 C), P 130, BP 94/58; skin warm
and dry; peripheral pulses palpable 2+; capillary refill 3
econds; mild finger clubbing noted
Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft with normoactive bowel sounds; parent states,
"Swallowing the enzyme capsules is very difficult for my child,
and I have noticed an increase in greasy, bulky stools"
The nurse should prioritize interventions for Select...
- A. Malabsorption of nutrients
- B. Alterations in blood glucose
- C. Decreased gastrointestinal motility
- D. Impaired clearance of airway secretions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Impaired airway clearance is a priority in cystic fibrosis exacerbations due to thick mucus causing respiratory distress and infection risk.
The nurse is caring for a 16-year-old client.
History and Physical Laboratory Results
Body System- Findings
General- The client comes to the emergency department with pain in the upper back, both knees, and the lower legs that is rated as 9 on a scale of 0-10; medical history includes sickle cell disease; the client reports attending an outdoor sports camp for the past 4 days; the client appears restless with frequent position changes and facial grimacing
Neurological- The client is alert and oriented to person, place, and time
Pulmonary- Vital signs: RR 24, SpOz 95% on room air, breath sounds are clear bilaterally Cardiovascular- Vital signs: T 98.4 F (36.9 C), P 120, BP 130/78; S1 and S2 are auscultated with no murmurs, continuous cardiac monitor shows sinus tachycardia
Gastrointestinal- The abdomen is soft and nontender with normal bowel sounds; the client vomited 30 mL of clear liquid
Musculoskeletal- The client has multiple, tender, bony points
Genitourinary- The client voided 50 mL of clear, amber-colored urine
For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is indicated or contraindicated for the care of the client.
- A. Initiate NPO status
- B. Administer IV fluids
- C. Initiate opioid analgesics
- D. Avoid constrictive clothing and devices
- E. Apply cold compresses to the affected joints
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: IV fluids , opioids , and avoiding constriction manage sickle cell crisis. NPO is unnecessary, and cold compresses worsen vaso-occlusion.
The newborn nurse is attending births in the labor and delivery unit.
Nurses' Notes
Labor and Delivery Unit
0000: A 39-year-old client, gravida 4 para 3, at 38 weeks gestation arrives at the labor and delivery unit reporting contractions every 2-3 min. During this pregnancy, the client was diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus and prescribed insulin, but she reports not taking the insulin. The client reports cigarette smoking (3-5 cigarettes/day) but denies alcohol or recreational drug use. The client received treatment for bacterial vaginosis during the second trimester. The client has gained 55 lb (25 kg) during the pregnancy. Group B Streptococcus result is negative. 1400: The newborn is delivered via forceps-assisted vaginal birth at
1400. The newborn was immediately placed in skin-to-skin contact with the mother, dried, and stimulated. Apgar scores are 7 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes
1405: Newborn vital signs are T 97.3 F (36.3 C), P 156, and RR 52.
1415: Newborn weight is obtained. The newborn is 9 lb 15 oz (4500 g). The maternal client is assisted to latch the newborn onto the breast.
1430: Slight bruising to the scalp is noted where forceps were applied. Newborn vital signs are T 97.2 F (36.2 C), P 160, RR 55, and SpO 95% on room air.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate when caring for this newborn? Select all that apply.
- A. Administer oral glucose water with each feeding
- B. Allow skin-to-skin contact with the mother when possible
- C. Check the newborn's blood glucose levels
- D. Initiate newborn feeding within the first hour after birth
- E. Monitor the newborn's respiratory rate frequently
- F. Wrap the newborn in warm blankets to alleviate tremors
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E,F
Rationale: Skin-to-skin contact , glucose checks , early feeding , respiratory monitoring , and warming prevent hypoglycemia and respiratory issues.
The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old client accompanied by the parents.
History and Physical
Body System
Findings
General
Client is brought to the emergency department due to
shortness of breath; medical history includes cystic fibrosis
and many previous hospital admissions for pneumonia; in the
3rd percentile for height and weight
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time; no neurologic
deficits
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 30, SpO, 87% on room air; moderate
subcostal retractions; bilateral wheezing and coarse crackles
throughout lung fields with fine inspiratory crackles at left lung
base; paroxysmal coughing that produces thick, yellow,
blood-tinged sputum; parents report that the client has begun
to become "winded" after showering and other activities Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 101.7 F (38.7 C), P 130, BP 94/58; skin warm
and dry; peripheral pulses palpable 2+; capillary refill 3
econds; mild finger clubbing noted
Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft with normoactive bowel sounds; parent states,
"Swallowing the enzyme capsules is very difficult for my child,
and I have noticed an increase in greasy, bulky stools"
Which prescription should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler
- B. Administer hypertonic saline via a nebulizer
- C. Contact respiratory therapy to initiate chest physiotherapy
- D. Reinforce teaching on how to use a positive expiratory pressure device
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is prioritized to relieve acute bronchospasm and improve airflow in respiratory distress.
The nurse is caring for a 68-year-old client in the emergency department.
History Physical Vital Signs
Admission: The client comes to the emergency department with progressively worsening back pain that began 3 weeks ago. The pain has become significantly worse over the past 12 hours. Pain level is rated as 8 on a scale of 0-10. The client was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and has had a poor response to treatment. This morning, the client had trouble walking and reports decreased sensation in the feet. The client also reports mild nausea, difficulty urinating, decreased urinary sensation, and no bowel movement in the past 3 days
Which 3 findings require immediate follow-up?
- A. Cardiovascular findings
- B. Genitourinary symptoms
- C. Musculoskeletal symptoms
- D. Neurologic symptoms
- E. Vital signs
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: Urinary retention , trouble walking , and decreased sensation suggest spinal cord compression, requiring urgent intervention.
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