Nurses' Notes
Emergency Department
A newborn is brought to the emergency department due to coughing and difficulty feeding. The client was born at home 6 hours ago via spontaneous vaginal birth. With each attempt to breastfeed, the client coughs, vomits, and "turns blue." The mother did not receive prenatal care. She reports a history of opioid use disorder but reports no opioid use during pregnancy.
Vital signs: T 98.6 F (37 C), P 120, RR 50, and SpO, 95% on room air. Abdominal distension is present. Ballard scoring estimates the client at 37 weeks gestation. Weight and length are consistent with the 25th and 50th percentiles for estimated age, respectively.
1 Hour Later
After attempting a bottle feed with 10 mL of formula, the client has a coughing episode, and there is formula mixed with saliva in the mouth. Coarse breath sounds are noted bilaterally with intercostal retractions. S1 and S2 are present with no murmurs. Neurologic examination shows normal neuromuscular findings.
A nasogastric tube insertion is attempted per prescription by the health care provider, and resistance is met at 10 cm of insertion.
The client has undergone surgical repair of tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia. The practical nurse is assisting the registered nurse to prepare the family for discharge home. Which of the following parent statements indicate that the teaching has been effective? Select all that apply.
- A. I can expect my newborn to have a barking cough while the surgical site is healing.
- B. I should ensure my newborn is in a semi-upright position during feedings.
- C. I will call the clinic if I notice an increase in drooling or regurgitation with eating.
- D. I will thin the texture of my newborn's formula by diluting it in sterile water.
- E. The gastrostomy tube may need to stay in place after we leave the hospital.
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: A semi-upright position during feedings reduces reflux, reporting drooling or regurgitation ensures monitoring for complications, and acknowledging the gastrostomy tube's potential continued use shows understanding. A barking cough is not expected, and diluting formula is unsafe.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old client who was brought to the emergency department after
becoming short of breath at school.
History and Physical
General
Well-nourished child; currently sitting in the tripod position; patches of dry, scaly, reddened skin are present in the creases of bilateral elbows and behind both knees; client reports that these areas itch
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time
Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client reports no nasal congestion
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 34, SpO 92% on room air, airway patent, intercostal retractions noted during inspiration; expiratory wheezes auscultated bilaterally; dry, spasmodic cough is noted; no stridor; difficulty speaking in complete sentences
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 110, BP 94/60; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; nom murmurs noted; peripheral pulses 2+; capillary refill 3 seconds; no edema
Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft; bowel sounds normal
Psychosocial
Client appears anxious and is crying, client speaks in short phrases, stating, "left my medicine at a friend's house" and "feels like I can't breathe"; client cannot remember the name of the prescribed home medication; client's parents were notified and are en route to hospital
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of anaphylaxis or asthma exacerbation.
- A. Stridor
- B. Wheezing
- C. Tachycardia
- D. Hypotension
- E. Generalized flushing and itching
Correct Answer: B,C: Asthma; C,D,E: Anaphylaxis
Rationale: B: Wheezing is characteristic of asthma exacerbation due to bronchoconstriction. C: Tachycardia can occur in both asthma (from hypoxia or stress) and anaphylaxis (from systemic reaction). D: Hypotension is typical in anaphylaxis due to vasodilation and fluid shifts. E: Generalized flushing and itching are hallmarks of anaphylaxis due to histamine release.
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 12-month-old male client.
History and Physical
Body System
General
The client is brought to the emergency department by the parents due to increased leg bruising and left knee swelling for 1 day; the parents report that the client seems more tired and less playful; both parents and the sister are healthy, but a maternal uncle died at age 7 after mild head trauma.
Integumentary
Good hygiene; no abrasions; no burns; bilateral scattered lower extremity bruising
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
The parents report that the client's gums have been bleeding when chewing on crackers
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 38, SpO 100% on room air, upper respiratory infection 3 weeks ago that completely resolved after 4 days.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.7 F (37.1 C), P 136
Musculoskeletal
Left knee redness and swelling with limited range of motion; the client can bear weight on both lower extremities; the parents state the child has recently started learning to walk by holding onto furniture and sometimes falls
Genitourinary
The parents state that urine output has been normal; urine is clear and pale yellow; the penis is uncircumcised
Psychosocial
The client is cooperative during examination; the client appears appropriately dressed for the season and weather; the mother says the child has no interest in toilet-training.
Laboratory Results.
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
Hematology.
Hematocrit
1-6 years: 39% (0.39)
30%-40%:
(0.30-0.40)
WBC
<_ 2 years: 8000/mm3 (8.0 × 10%/L)
6200-17,000/mm3
(6.2-17.0 × 10°/L)
Platelets
150,000-400,000/mm3: 163,000/mm3 (163 × 10°/L)
(150-400 × 10°/L)
aPTT (Activated partial thromboplastin time)
30-40 sec: 60 sec
PT
11-12.5 sec: 12 sec
Factor VIII
55%-145%: 6%
Factor IX
60%-140%: 100%
Which of the following statements by the client's parent indicate teaching was effective? Select all that apply.
- A. I can provide over-the-counter ibuprofen as needed for pain.
- B. If we have another child, there is a chance the child could have hemophilia too.
- C. My child should avoid playing contact sports.
- D. Tingling in the joints can be a sign of joint bleeding.
- E. We will need preventive clotting medicine only before major surgeries.
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: B: Correct - Hemophilia A is X-linked, so future children may inherit it. C: Correct - Contact sports increase bleeding risk and should be avoided. D: Correct - Tingling indicates possible joint bleeding, requiring prompt attention. A: Incorrect - Ibuprofen can increase bleeding risk. E: Incorrect - Preventive factor replacement is often needed regularly, not just before surgeries.
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.
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.
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