The newborn nursery nurse is performing an admission assessment on a newborn with the diagnosis of subdural hematoma. Which intervention should the nurse implement to assess for the primary symptom associated with subdural hematoma?
- A. Monitor the urine for blood.
- B. Monitor the urinary output pattern.
- C. Test for contractures of the extremities.
- D. Test for equality of extremity reflexes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A subdural hematoma can cause pressure on a specific area of the cerebral tissue. This can cause changes in the stimuli responses in the extremities on the opposite side of the body, especially if the newborn is actively bleeding. Options 1 and 2 are incorrect. After delivery, a newborn would normally be incontinent of urine. Blood in the urine would indicate abdominal trauma and would not be a result of the hematoma. Option 3 is incorrect because contractures would not occur this soon after delivery.
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The nurse instructs a mother of a child who had a plaster cast applied to the arm about measures that will help the cast dry. Which instructions should the nurse provide to the mother? Select all that apply.
- A. Lift the cast using the fingertips.
- B. Place the child on a firm mattress.
- C. Direct a fan toward the cast to facilitate drying.
- D. Support the cast and adjacent joints with pillows.
- E. Place the extremity with the cast in a dependent position.
- F. Reposition the extremity with the cast every 2 to 4 hours.
Correct Answer: B,C,D,F
Rationale: To help the cast dry, the child should be placed on a firm mattress. A fan may be directed toward the cast to facilitate drying. Once the cast is dry, the cast should sound hollow and be cool to touch. The cast and adjacent joints should be elevated and supported with pillows. To ensure thorough drying, the extremity with the cast should be repositioned every 2 to 4 hours. The cast is lifted by using the palms of the hands (not the fingertips) to prevent indentation in the wet cast surface. Indentations could possibly cause pressure on the skin under the cast.
Which questions should the nurse ask when assessing a client for possible manifestations of Ménière's disease? Select all that apply.
- A. Do you experience ringing in your ears?
- B. Are you prone to vertigo that can last for days?
- C. Can you hear better out of one ear than the other?
- D. Is there a history of Ménière's disease in your family?
- E. Have you ever experienced a head injury in the area of your ears?
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: Ménière's disease is characterized by dilation of the endolymphatic system by overproduction or decreased reabsorption of endolymphatic fluid. Manifestations include tinnitus, vertigo that can last for days, and one-sided sensorineural hearing loss. Although the exact cause of the disease is unknown, there does not seem to be a connection with either genetics or head trauma.
The nurse is caring for a 33-week pregnant client who has experienced a premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Which interventions should the nurse expect to be part of the plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Perform frequent biophysical profiles.
- B. Monitor for elevated serum creatinine.
- C. Monitor for manifestations of infection.
- D. Teach the client how to count fetal movements.
- E. Use strict sterile technique for vaginal examinations.
- F. Inform the client about the need for tocolytic therapy.
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) increases the risk of infection, preterm labor, and fetal compromise. Frequent biophysical profiles assess fetal well-being. Monitoring for manifestations of infection is critical due to the risk of chorioamnionitis. Teaching the client to count fetal movements helps monitor fetal activity and detect potential distress. Strict sterile technique for vaginal examinations minimizes infection risk. Monitoring serum creatinine is not directly related to PROM management. Tocolytic therapy may be considered but is not universally required unless preterm labor is confirmed.
A client who undergoes a gastric resection is at risk for developing dumping syndrome. Which manifestation should the nurse monitor the client for? Select all that apply.
- A. Pallor
- B. Dizziness
- C. Diaphoresis
- D. Bradycardia
- E. Constipation
- F. Extreme thirst
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: Dumping syndrome is the rapid emptying of the gastric contents into the small intestine that occurs after gastric resection. Early manifestations of dumping syndrome occur 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Manifestations also include vasomotor disturbances such as dizziness, tachycardia, syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, and the desire to lie down.
The nurse caring for a client diagnosed with a neurological disorder is planning care to maintain nutritional status. The nurse is concerned about the client's swallowing ability. Which food item should the nurse eliminate from this client's diet?
- A. Spinach
- B. Custard
- C. Scrambled eggs
- D. Mashed potatoes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Raw vegetables; chunky vegetables such as diced beets; and stringy vegetables such as spinach, corn, and peas are foods commonly excluded from the diet of a client with a poor swallowing reflex. In general, flavorful, warm, or well-chilled foods with texture stimulate the swallowing reflex. Soft and semisoft foods such as custards or puddings, egg dishes, and potatoes are usually effective.