The healthcare provider is assessing a client with a suspected pulmonary embolism. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Chest pain.
- B. Shortness of breath.
- C. Tachycardia.
- D. Cyanosis.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia and indicates severe oxygen deprivation, necessitating immediate intervention in a client with a suspected pulmonary embolism. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and tachycardia are also concerning symptoms in pulmonary embolism; however, cyanosis signifies critical oxygen deficiency and warrants urgent attention to prevent further complications.
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The nurse determines that a client's body weight is 105% above the standardized height-weight scale. Which related factor should the nurse include in the nursing problem, 'Imbalanced nutrition: More than body requirements'?
- A. Hypertension.
- B. Diabetes mellitus.
- C. Inadequate lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.
- D. Increased risk of chronic illnesses.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Inadequate lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.' When a client's weight exceeds the standardized height-weight scale significantly, it indicates an imbalance between nutrition intake and energy expenditure, leading to 'Imbalanced nutrition: More than body requirements.' Inadequate lifestyle changes in diet and exercise directly contribute to this imbalance by promoting excessive caloric intake and reduced physical activity. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and increased risk of chronic illnesses may be consequences of imbalanced nutrition, they are not the direct related factor that should be included in formulating the nursing problem.
The nurse is conducting a process evaluation of a prevention education program for older adults who are at risk for substance abuse. Which data source provides the information the nurse needs to conduct this process evaluation?
- A. client's score on an alcohol screening instrument
- B. results of a urine drug and alcohol screen
- C. most recent community census data
- D. documentation of client education in the nursing record
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Documentation of client education in the nursing record provides information on the implementation and progress of the educational program, which is crucial for evaluating its process. Choices A and B focus on individual client assessment rather than program evaluation. Choice C, community census data, is not directly related to evaluating the process of the prevention education program for older adults at risk for substance abuse.
A client with a history of coronary artery disease is admitted with chest pain. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Heart rate of 90 beats per minute.
- B. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
- C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute.
- D. Chest pain radiating to the left arm.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Chest pain radiating to the left arm can be a sign of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and requires immediate intervention. This symptom is known as a classic presentation of a heart attack and warrants urgent medical attention to prevent further cardiac damage. Choices A, B, and C are not directly indicative of an acute cardiac event and may not require immediate intervention in this scenario. While heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important vital signs to monitor, they do not specifically indicate the urgency associated with chest pain radiating to the left arm in a patient with a history of coronary artery disease.
The nurse is providing care for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which laboratory result requires immediate intervention?
- A. Serum sodium of 140 mEq/L.
- B. Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L.
- C. Serum osmolality of 280 mOsm/kg.
- D. Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L. In SIADH, there is excess release of antidiuretic hormone leading to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. A serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia, which can result in neurological symptoms, such as confusion, seizures, and coma. Therefore, immediate intervention is required to prevent further complications. Choice A, a serum sodium of 140 mEq/L, is within the normal range and does not require immediate intervention. Choice B, serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L, is also within the normal range and is not directly related to SIADH. Choice C, serum osmolality of 280 mOsm/kg, is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood and may not be the most critical parameter to address in a client with SIADH and severe hyponatremia.
During a home visit, the nurse observes that an elderly client has numerous bruises on her arms and appears fearful of her caregiver. What should the nurse do first?
- A. report the findings to adult protective services
- B. ask the client how she got the bruises
- C. document the observations in the client's medical record
- D. discuss the observations with the caregiver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The initial step for the nurse should be to ask the client how she got the bruises. This approach allows the nurse to directly assess the situation, gather information from the client, and potentially uncover signs of abuse. Reporting to adult protective services should come after obtaining more details from the client to ensure appropriate action. Documenting the observations is important but should follow gathering information from the client. Discussing the observations with the caregiver may not be appropriate as the caregiver could be the source of abuse, and involving them first may jeopardize the client's safety.