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 client is preparing for discharge after treatment for cellulitis and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The client expresses motivation to stop using alcohol and is prescribed naltrexone. Which of the following client statements indicate progress toward the goal of abstinence and long-term recovery? Select all that apply.
- A. Drinking alcohol contributed to my divorce and the loss of my job.
- B. I am planning to join a recovery program.
- C. I will be in control now and will drink only on special occasions.
- D. My friends encouraged me to drink more than usual.
- E. When cravings occur, I will call my sponsor.
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: A: Acknowledging alcohol's negative impact shows insight. B: Joining a recovery program supports sobriety. E: Having a plan to manage cravings (e.g., calling a sponsor) indicates commitment. C is incorrect as it suggests continued drinking, and D blames others without addressing personal responsibility.
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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
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism.
- A. Dyspnea
- B. Chest pain
- C. Hypoxemia
- D. Sinus tachycardia
- E. Right lower extremity redness and edema
Correct Answer: A: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; B: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; C: Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; D: Myocardial infarction, Pulmonary embolism; E: Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: A: Dyspnea is common in all three due to impaired oxygenation or cardiac output. B: Chest pain occurs in all three, though the nature varies (e.g., pleuritic in pneumonia/PE, crushing in MI). C: Hypoxemia is typical in pneumonia (due to alveolar impairment) and PE (due to ventilation-perfusion mismatch). D: Sinus tachycardia is seen in MI (due to cardiac stress) and PE (due to hypoxia and embolism). E: Right lower extremity redness and edema suggest DVT, which is strongly associated with PE.
The nurse is caring for a 52-year-old client on the orthopedic unit.
Nurses' Notes
Postoperative Day 1
0900:
The client's left leg was placed in balanced suspension skeletal traction for a fractured femur 12 hours ago. The client is positioned supine in the center of the bed with the foot of the bed elevated 15 degrees. Traction ropes are free of frays, centered in the pulleys, and moving freely with attached weights resting on the bed frame.
Serous drainage noted around the pin sites. Left foot slightly cool to the touch with posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses palpable at 2+ and capillary refill <2 seconds in the toes. Client has normal sensation and movement of the left toes. Client rates left leg pain as 8 on a scale of 0-10.
Vital signs are T 100.4 F (38 C), P 110, RR 18, and BP 132/68. Weight is 173 lb (78.5 kg).
For each potential prescription, click to specify if the prescription is expected or not expected for the care of the client.
- A. Restrict fluid intake
- B. Offer a low-fiber diet
- C. Use incentive spirometer
- D. Administer stool softener
- E. Administer anticoagulant
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: Expected prescriptions include using an incentive spirometer (C) to prevent atelectasis, administering a stool softener (D) for constipation, and an anticoagulant (E) for DVT prevention. Fluid restriction (A) and low-fiber diet (B) are not indicated.
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
Which of the following laboratory tests does the nurse anticipate to help determine the cause of the client's condition? Select all that apply.
- A. Clotting factors VIII and IX
- B. CT scan of the head
- C. Echocardiogram
- D. Platelet count
- E. PTT
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: A: Anticipated - Testing for clotting factors VIII and IX is essential to diagnose hemophilia, given the symptoms and family history. D: Anticipated - Platelet count helps rule out thrombocytopenia as a cause of bleeding. E: Anticipated - PTT (partial thromboplastin time) assesses the intrinsic clotting pathway, which is prolonged in hemophilia. B, C: Not indicated as they do not directly assess bleeding disorders.
The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
Prescriptions
0820:
• 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride at 75 m/hr continuous
• 50% dextrose 25 mg IV push as needed for blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Ketorolac 15 mg IV push every 6 hours as needed for severe pain
• Ondansetron 8 mg PO every 8 hours as needed for nausea
• Pantoprazole 40 mg PO daily
• Potassium chloride 40 mEq/100 mL IVPB once
• Sips of clear liquids, advance diet as tolerated
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range: 1 day postoperative
WBC count:
5000-10.000/mm3 (5-10 × 10%L): 12,000/mm3 (12 × 10°/L)
Urea nitrogen (BUN)
10-20 mg/dL (3.6-7.1 mmol/L): 24 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)
Creatinine
Male: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL(53-106 umol/L):
1.6 mg/dL (141.4 pmol/L)
Female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (44-97 umol/L):
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L (3.5--5.0 mmol/L): 3.3 mEq/L (3.3 mmol/L)
Sodium
135-145 mEq/L (135-145 mmol/L): 137 mEq/L (137 mmol/L)
Blood glucose level
74-106 mg/dL (4.1-5.9 mmol/L): 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L)
Nurses’ Notes
0900:
Continuous IV fluids and potassium chloride infusion initiated; opioids discontinued per health care provider prescription. Ondansetron administered once for nausea. Assisted client to ambulate in hallway once; client currently sitting up in chair.
2100:
No emesis since 0800. Client has ambulated two more times and has remained out of bed. Ketorolac administered for abdominal pain rated as 7 on a scale of 0-10. Tolerating small sips of clear liquids. Bowel sounds absent.
Surgical Unit: 1 Day Postoperative
0700:
Client reports no nausea. Client ambulated 50 ft (15 m) this morning. After ambulation, client reports one small, loose bowel movement. Pain remains at 7 on a scale of 0-10. Tolerating clear liquids. Bowel sounds hypoactive.
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results and Nurses' Notes. Which of the following findings indicate that the client condition is improving following treatment of postoperative ileus? Select all that apply.
- A. Glucose 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L)
- B. Hypoactive bowel sounds
- C. One loose stool
- D. Passing of flatus
- E. Potassium 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L)
Correct Answer: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Hypoactive bowel sounds (B), a loose stool (C), and passing flatus (D) indicate returning bowel function, a sign of resolving ileus. Normalized potassium (E) from 3.3 to 3.5 mEq/L shows effective treatment. Elevated glucose (A) is not relevant to ileus and indicates a new issue.
The nurse in an inpatient mental health unit is caring for a 43-year-old client.
History
Admission:
The client comes to the inpatient psychiatric facility for an evaluation. The client is having distressing nightmares, flashbacks, and feelings of being "on edge" since a severe motor vehicle collision 6 months ago that resulted in the death of the client's sibling. The client blames self for the sibling's death and verbalizes feelings of guilt. The client reports an inability to sleep well and being quick to anger, both of which led to job loss and the client seeking help. The client reports a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, such as working out and interacting with friends. The client has started smoking cigarettes daily since the collision and typically consumes ≥4 alcoholic beverages per day. Mental status examination reveals an irritable, guarded, and easily distracted mood. The client's appearance is well- kept, and grooming and hygiene are appropriate. The client’s speech is hyperverbal yet coherent, and thought process is organized. The client admits to feelings of hopelessness after the death of the sibling. The client reports occasionally seeing "shadows" but no visual hallucinations. The client has no homicidal ideations or history of violence toward others.
Vital signs: P 78, RR 17, BP 132/78.
The nurse suspects that the client is experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder. Which of the following symptoms are consistent with this condition? Select all that apply.
- A. Euphoric mood
- B. Flashbacks
- C. Hypervigilance
- D. Irritability
- E. Nightmares
- F. Self-blame
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E,F
Rationale: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, irritability, nightmares, and self-blame following a traumatic event. Euphoric mood is not associated with PTSD.
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