Nokea
The client with liver cirrhosis needs immediate intervention for which abnormal laboratory result?
- A. Prothrombin time (PT) of 14 seconds.
- B. Bilirubin of 1.2 mg/dL.
- C. Albumin of 4 g/dL.
- D. Ammonia level of 80 mcg/dL.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An elevated ammonia level of 80 mcg/dL indicates hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver cirrhosis that requires immediate intervention. Ammonia is a neurotoxin that accumulates in the blood due to impaired liver function, leading to cognitive impairment and altered mental status. Monitoring and lowering ammonia levels are crucial in managing hepatic encephalopathy to prevent further neurological deterioration. Prothrombin time, bilirubin, and albumin levels are important parameters in assessing liver function and overall health status in clients with liver cirrhosis, but an elevated ammonia level poses an immediate threat to neurological function and warrants prompt attention.
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The healthcare provider is conducting a health assessment for a family living in a high-crime area. Which intervention should the healthcare provider prioritize to ensure the family's safety?
- A. providing information on local crime statistics
- B. teaching the family self-defense techniques
- C. helping the family develop a safety plan
- D. encouraging the family to move to a safer neighborhood
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Developing a safety plan is the most appropriate intervention as it helps the family prepare for potential emergencies and enhances their overall sense of security. Providing information on local crime statistics may raise awareness but does not directly address safety planning. Teaching self-defense techniques may have limited effectiveness in a high-crime area where the family may face multiple threats. Encouraging the family to move to a safer neighborhood is not always feasible due to various reasons such as financial constraints or social ties to the current community.
A homeless client with alcohol dependency will be dismissed from the emergency department in 24 hours. The nurse notes that a tuberculin skin test was prescribed by the healthcare provider. What intervention is most important for the nurse to implement prior to discharge?
- A. Identify how the client will follow-up to have the results read
- B. Give the client written information about the tuberculosis test
- C. Determine if the client understands the purpose of the tuberculin test
- D. Explain to the client results should be read between 48 and 72 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most important intervention for the nurse to implement prior to the discharge of a homeless client with alcohol dependency who had a tuberculin skin test prescribed is to identify how the client will follow-up to have the results read. This is crucial to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Providing written information (Choice B) is helpful but not as critical as ensuring the follow-up plan. Determining if the client understands the purpose of the test (Choice C) is important but not as immediate as ensuring the follow-up plan. Explaining when the results should be read (Choice D) is important, but the priority is to make sure the client has a plan in place for follow-up.
When developing a program to support caregivers of elderly patients, which topic should be prioritized in the first session?
- A. Managing medication schedules
- B. Recognizing signs of caregiver burnout
- C. Effective communication with healthcare providers
- D. Navigating insurance and financial issues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recognizing signs of caregiver burnout is the most critical topic to prioritize in the first session. Caregiver burnout can have detrimental effects on both the caregiver and the elderly patient's well-being. By addressing this issue early on, caregivers can learn to identify the signs of burnout, take necessary steps to prevent it, and ensure they can continue providing effective care for their loved ones. Managing medication schedules, effective communication with healthcare providers, and navigating insurance and financial issues are also important aspects to cover in the program. However, recognizing signs of caregiver burnout is essential for the overall health and quality of care provided by the caregivers.
A female client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being treated at home and is currently receiving oxygen at 2 liters via nasal cannula. The spouse, who is the caregiver, reports that the client requires assistance when ambulating short distances, including going to the bathroom. Which suggestion should the health care nurse provide to the caregiver?
- A. disconnect oxygen when ambulating to the bathroom
- B. administer a breathing treatment prior to ambulation
- C. suggest obtaining a bedside commode for toileting
- D. ask for additional assistance to reduce the risk of falls
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a client with COPD requiring assistance for short-distance ambulation, suggesting a bedside commode for toileting is the most appropriate intervention. This recommendation helps reduce the need for the client to walk long distances, thereby minimizing the risk of exertion and potential falls. Disconnecting oxygen during ambulation (Choice A) is not safe for a client with COPD, as oxygen therapy should be continuous. Administering a breathing treatment before ambulation (Choice B) may not directly address the client's need for assistance with toileting. Asking for additional assistance (Choice D) can be beneficial but providing a bedside commode specifically addresses the current issue of ambulating short distances for toileting.
The healthcare professional is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with anemia. Which action is most important to prevent a transfusion reaction?
- A. Check the client's vital signs before starting the transfusion.
- B. Use a blood filter when administering the transfusion.
- C. Verify the blood type and Rh factor with another healthcare professional.
- D. Administer antihistamines before starting the transfusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Verifying the blood type and Rh factor with another healthcare professional is the most crucial action to prevent a transfusion reaction. Ensuring compatibility between the donor blood and the recipient is essential in preventing adverse reactions such as hemolytic transfusion reactions. Checking vital signs is important for monitoring the client during the transfusion process but does not directly prevent a transfusion reaction. Using a blood filter can help remove clots and debris but does not address the risk of a reaction due to blood type incompatibility. Administering antihistamines before the transfusion is not a standard practice to prevent transfusion reactions related to blood type incompatibility.