The nurse assessing the level of consciousness of a child with a head injury documents that the child is obtunded. On the basis of this documentation, which observation did the nurse note?
- A. The child is unable to think clearly and rapidly.
- B. The child is unable to recognize place or person.
- C. The child always requires considerable stimulation for arousal.
- D. The child has limited interaction with the environment unless aroused.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: If the child is obtunded, the child sleeps unless aroused and, when aroused, has limited interaction with the environment. The remaining options describe confusion, disorientation, and stupor.
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An adult client seeks treatment in an ambulatory care clinic for reports of a left earache, nausea, and a full feeling in the left ear. The client has an elevated temperature. Which assessment question should the nurse ask first?
- A. Do you have a history of a recent brain abscess?
- B. Do you have a chronic hearing problem in the left ear?
- C. Do you successfully obtain pain relief with acetaminophen?
- D. Do you have a history of a recent upper respiratory infection (URI)?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Otitis media in the adult is typically one-sided and presents as an acute process with earache; nausea; and possible vomiting, fever, and fullness in the ear. The client may report diminished hearing in that ear during the acute process. The nurse takes a client history first, assessing whether the client has had a recent URI. It is unnecessary to question the client about a brain abscess. The nurse may ask the client if anything relieves the pain, but ear infection pain is usually not relieved until antibiotic therapy is initiated.
A child experienced a basilar skull fracture that resulted in the presence of Battle's sign. Which should the nurse expect to observe in the child?
- A. Bruising behind the ear
- B. The presence of epistaxis
- C. A bruised periorbital area
- D. An edematous periorbital area
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most serious type of skull fracture is a basilar skull fracture. Two classic findings associated with this type of skull fracture are Battle's sign and raccoon eyes. Battle's sign is the presence of bruising or ecchymosis behind the ear caused by a leaking of blood into the mastoid sinuses. Raccoon eyes occur as a result of blood leaking into the frontal sinus and causing an edematous and bruised periorbital area.
The nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving an oxytocin infusion for the induction of labor. The nurse should suspect water intoxication if which sign or symptom is noted?
- A. Fatigue
- B. Lethargy
- C. Sleepiness
- D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Oxytocin is a uterine stimulant. During an oxytocin infusion, the woman is monitored closely for signs of water intoxication, including tachycardia, cardiac dysrhythmias, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. The remaining options are not associated with water intoxication.
Which assessment finding should the nurse expect to note in the child hospitalized with a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome?
- A. Weight loss
- B. Constipation
- C. Hypotension
- D. Abdominal pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clinical manifestations associated with nephrotic syndrome include edema, anorexia, fatigue, and abdominal pain from the presence of extra fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Diarrhea caused by the edema of the bowel occurs and may cause decreased absorption of nutrients. Increased weight from fluid buildup and a normal blood pressure are noted.
A client who has been receiving long-term diuretic therapy is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. The nurse should assess for which sign that correlates with this fluid imbalance?
- A. Decreased pulse
- B. Bibasilar crackles
- C. Increased blood pressure
- D. Increased urinary specific gravity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment findings with fluid volume deficit are increased pulse and respirations, weight loss, poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, concentrated urine with increased specific gravity, increased hematocrit, and altered level of consciousness. The assessment findings in the remaining options are not associated with dehydration.
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