The health care provider confirms that the client is experie...

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 health care provider confirms that the client is experiencing bleeding from esophageal varices secondary to complications from liver cirrhosis. For each potential prescription, specify if the prescription is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of this client.

A. Maintain NPO status
B. Start octreotide infusion
C. Administer IV fluid bolus
D. Transfuse packed RBCs
E. Gather supplies for paracentesis
F. Prepare client for esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Correct Answer: A: Anticipated, B: Anticipated, C: Anticipated, D: Anticipated, E: Unanticipated, F: Anticipated

Rationale: A) Anticipated: NPO prevents aspiration and supports esophageal varices management. B) Anticipated: Octreotide reduces portal pressure to control variceal bleeding. C) Anticipated: IV fluids address hypovolemia (BP 90/40). D) Anticipated: PRBCs treat blood loss from variceal bleeding. E) Unanticipated: Paracentesis is for ascites, not urgent here. F) Anticipated: EGD is standard to visualize and treat varices.

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

Based on the client's history and physical examination findings, which disease process is the most likely cause of this client's current condition?

A. Atherosclerosis
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C. Pulmonary infection
D. Venous thromboembolism

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The client's recent immobility (wheelchair dependence post-femoral fracture), right lower extremity redness and edema (suggesting DVT), dyspnea, chest pain, hypoxemia (SpO2 89%), and sinus tachycardia strongly indicate venous thromboembolism, likely a pulmonary embolism secondary to DVT.

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.

The nurse should prioritize administration of........... to...........

A. Thiamine
B. Naloxone
C. Oral activated charcoal
D. Prevent respiratory failure

Correct Answer: B,D

Rationale: B to D: Naloxone reverses opioid intoxication to prevent respiratory failure. The client's obtundation, shallow breathing, and pinpoint pupils indicate opioid overdose, requiring urgent reversal to restore breathing. Thiamine is for alcohol-related conditions, and charcoal is for recent ingestions, not specified here.

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

Based on the client's clinical manifestations, which condition should the nurse suspect?

A. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
B. Gastrointestinal bleeding
C. Opioid withdrawal
D. Sepsis

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Trembling, diaphoresis, restlessness, hallucinations, and elevated vital signs (P 102, BP 170/96) are classic signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, especially given the absence of gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms and the presence of neurological symptoms.

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.

During a diaper change, the client becomes cyanotic with frothy secretions from the mouth and nose. What action should nurse perform first?

A. Activate the rapid response team
B. Initiate rescue breathing with a bag valve mask
C. Perform nasal and oropharyngeal suction
D. Prepare the newborn for intubation

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Suctioning clears the airway of frothy secretions, addressing the immediate cause of cyanosis. This is the first priority before other interventions.

What condition should the nurse suspect?

A. Bacterial meningitis
B. Opioid intoxication
C. Transient ischemic attack
D. Wernicke encephalopathy

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Opioid intoxication is indicated by pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, obtundation, and hypotension, consistent with the client's history of chronic pain and positive opioid urine screen. Meningitis typically involves fever and neck stiffness, TIA involves focal neurological deficits, and Wernicke's involves confusion with ocular abnormalities and ataxia.