Nokea
The client has acute pancreatitis. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority?
- A. Administer pain medication as prescribed.
- B. Monitor the client's serum amylase and lipase levels.
- C. Encourage oral intake of clear liquids.
- D. Assess the client's bowel sounds every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer pain medication as prescribed. This is the highest priority because acute pancreatitis is a painful condition, and managing pain is crucial for the client's comfort and well-being. Pain control also helps reduce stress on the pancreas and can aid in preventing complications.
Choice B is incorrect because while monitoring serum amylase and lipase levels is important in diagnosing pancreatitis and assessing response to treatment, it is not the highest priority intervention.
Choice C is incorrect as encouraging oral intake of clear liquids may exacerbate pancreatitis symptoms and lead to further complications.
Choice D is incorrect as assessing bowel sounds, while important for monitoring gastrointestinal function, is not the highest priority in the acute management of pancreatitis.
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A male client is admitted to the neurological unit. He has just sustained a C-5 spinal cord injury. Which assessment finding of this client warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Is unable to feel sensation in the arms and hands.
- B. Has flaccid upper and lower extremities.
- C. Blood pressure is 110/70 and the apical pulse is 68.
- D. Respirations are shallow, labored, and 14 breaths/minute.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because shallow, labored respirations at 14 breaths/minute indicate potential respiratory distress in a client with a C-5 spinal cord injury. This level of injury compromises the function of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, leading to impaired respiratory effort. Immediate intervention is crucial to prevent respiratory failure and subsequent complications. Choices A and B are common findings in clients with spinal cord injuries and do not require immediate intervention. Choice C indicates stable vital signs within normal range, which do not necessitate immediate action.
What dietary advice should the nurse provide to help reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in a post-menopausal client?
- A. Increase intake of spicy foods.
- B. Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption.
- C. Consume a high-protein diet.
- D. Eat more dairy products.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. Hot flashes can be triggered by stimulants like caffeine and alcohol. Limiting intake can help reduce their occurrence. Increasing spicy foods (A) can actually worsen hot flashes. High-protein diets (C) and consuming more dairy products (D) do not have a direct impact on hot flashes.
A healthcare provider is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of intravenous (IV) metoprolol (Lopressor) to a client. The client's apical pulse is 58 beats/minute. What action should the healthcare provider take?
- A. Administer the medication as prescribed.
- B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Give half the prescribed dose and recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
- D. Administer the medication and then recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider. The rationale is that metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can further decrease heart rate. With a low apical pulse of 58 beats/minute, administering metoprolol can potentially cause bradycardia or further slow down the heart rate to dangerous levels. Holding the medication and notifying the healthcare provider allows for further assessment and potential adjustment of the dosage or consideration of alternative treatments.
Incorrect choices:
A: Administering the medication as prescribed can lead to bradycardia and potential harm to the client.
C: Giving half the prescribed dose and rechecking the pulse in 30 minutes can still lead to further bradycardia and potential harm.
D: Administering the medication and then rechecking the pulse in 30 minutes is not appropriate as the initial pulse rate is already low, and waiting to recheck could lead to adverse effects before intervention.
In which situation is it most important for the registered nurse (RN) working on a medical unit to provide direct supervision?
- A. A graduate nurse needs to access a client's implanted port to start an infusion of Ringer's Lactate.
- B. A postpartum nurse pulled to the unit needs to start a transfusion of packed red blood cells.
- C. A practical nurse is preparing to assist the healthcare provider with a lumbar puncture at the bedside.
- D. An unlicensed assistive personnel is preparing to weigh an obese bedfast client using a bed scale.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because accessing an implanted port for infusion is a specialized skill that requires direct supervision to ensure the safety and accuracy of the procedure. Step 1: A graduate nurse may not have sufficient experience with accessing ports. Step 2: The RN needs to ensure proper technique and prevent complications. Step 3: Direct supervision allows for immediate intervention if any issues arise. Other choices are incorrect because B: starting a transfusion is within the scope of practice for a nurse, C: assisting with a lumbar puncture can be done under indirect supervision, and D: weighing a client is a task that can be delegated to unlicensed personnel with proper training.
The client has acute kidney injury (AKI). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Urine output of 50 ml in the last hour.
- B. Serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L.
- C. Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg.
- D. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition in AKI. High potassium levels can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and must be addressed immediately. Choice A is concerning but not as critical as hyperkalemia. Choice C, elevated blood pressure, needs monitoring but does not require immediate intervention. Choice D, elevated serum creatinine, indicates kidney dysfunction but does not pose an immediate threat compared to hyperkalemia.