Mr. G has been admitted to the hospital with a head injury after a 12-foot fall. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate when monitoring intracranial pressure?
- A. Administer hypotonic solutions
- B. Keep the head of the bed elevated
- C. Increase the client's core body temperature to 99.9 degrees
- D. Administer corticosteroids as ordered
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Administering corticosteroids as ordered is appropriate when monitoring intracranial pressure in clients at risk of increased pressure to reduce brain tissue swelling. Elevating the head of the bed helps in managing intracranial pressure by promoting venous drainage. Administering hypertonic solutions is used to reduce brain edema and control intracranial pressure. Increasing the client's core body temperature is not recommended as it can exacerbate brain injury. Corticosteroids are not routinely used for all head injuries but may be indicated in specific cases, such as certain types of brain injuries where swelling needs to be controlled.
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A client has a right-sided chest tube with 50 cc of serosanguinous fluid in the collection chamber and air bubbles are collecting in the water seal chamber. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take at this time?
- A. Do nothing; this is a normal response
- B. Strip the tubing to remove any clots
- C. Place a clamp on the tube near the client's chest
- D. Remove the collection chamber and connect the tubing to a new device
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The water seal of a chest tube acts as a one-way valve. Air bubbles in the water seal indicate a leak between the client and the chamber. The nurse should briefly clamp the tube near the client's chest to locate the source of the leak. Once identified, the nurse should unclamp the tubing and notify the physician immediately.
Choice A is incorrect because air bubbles in the water seal chamber are not a normal finding and indicate a leak. Choice B is incorrect as stripping the tubing could aggravate the issue and is not the initial appropriate action. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the immediate need to locate and address the leak.
A postpartum nurse has instructed a new mother regarding how to bathe her newborn. The nurse demonstrates the procedure to the mother and, on the following day, asks the mother to perform the procedure. Which observation by the nurse indicates that the mother is performing the procedure correctly?
- A. The mother cleans the ears and then moves to the eyes and the face.
- B. The mother begins to wash the newborn infant by starting with the eyes and face.
- C. The mother washes the arms, chest, and back followed by the neck, arms, and face.
- D. The mother washes the entire newborn infant's body and then washes the eyes, face, and scalp.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bathing should start at the eyes and face and with the cleanest area first. Next, the external ears and behind the ears are cleaned. The newborn infant's neck should be washed because formula, lint, and breast milk will often accumulate in the folds of the neck. The hands and arms are then washed. The newborn infant's legs are washed next, with the diaper area being washed last.
Which client does the nurse recognize as having the highest increased risk of developing breast cancer?
- A. a 68-year-old client with dense breasts
- B. a 34-year-old client pregnant with her first child
- C. an obese client with a body mass index of 30
- D. a client with two first-degree relatives with breast cancer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Family history with two first-degree relatives significantly increases breast cancer risk more than age, pregnancy, or obesity.
A nurse is caring for a client who is post-op day #1 after a total hip replacement. Although the client was alert with a normal affect in the morning, by lunchtime, the nurse notes the client is confused, has slurred speech, and is having trouble with her balance. Her blood glucose level is 48 mg/dl. What is the next action of the nurse?
- A. Contact the physician immediately
- B. Administer a bolus of 50 cc of D20W through the IV
- C. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
- D. Give the client 6 oz. of orange juice
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client with a blood glucose level of 48 mg/dl is experiencing significant hypoglycemia, as manifested by confusion, balance difficulties, and slurred speech. The nurse should work to correct this situation as rapidly as possible. The first measure that can be performed quickly and will have fast results is to give the client something to eat or drink that contains glucose, such as 6 oz. of orange juice. Administering a bolus of D20W through the IV (Choice B) would be too aggressive and could lead to complications in this scenario. Administering regular insulin (Choice C) would further lower the blood glucose level, worsening the client's symptoms. Contacting the physician (Choice A) is important, but immediate intervention to raise the blood glucose level is crucial to address the client's hypoglycemia.
A client diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) gets recurrent Candida infections of the mouth (thrush). The nurse has given the client instructions to minimize the occurrence of thrush and determines that the client understands the instructions if which statement is made by the client?
- A. I should use a mouthwash at least once a week.
- B. I should use warm saline or water to rinse my mouth.
- C. I should brush my teeth and rinse my mouth once a day.
- D. Increasing the amount of red meat in my diet will keep this from recurring.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To minimize the occurrence of oral thrush in a client with AIDS, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. Rinsing the mouth with warm saline or water helps keep the oral cavity clean and reduces the risk of Candida overgrowth. Using mouthwash once a week is insufficient, and brushing only once a day does not provide adequate oral hygiene. Increasing red meat intake does not directly affect thrush prevention, as dietary changes unrelated to sugar or carbohydrate reduction have little impact on Candida infections.
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