The nurse assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old child hospitalized with a diagnosis of croup notes that the respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute. Based on this finding, which nursing action is appropriate?
- A. Begin administering supplemental oxygen.
- B. Document the findings according to facility policies.
- C. Notify the child's primary health care provider immediately.
- D. Reassess the respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth in 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a 3-year-old child is approximately 20 to 30 breaths per minute. Because the respiratory rate is normal, options 1, 3, and 4 are unnecessary actions. The nurse would document the findings.
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The nurse preparing to administer an intermittent tube feeding through a nasogastric (NG) tube assesses for residual volume. How do the resulting data assist in assuring the client's safety?
- A. Confirm proper NG tube placement.
- B. Determine the client's nutritional status.
- C. Evaluate the adequacy of gastric emptying.
- D. Assess the client's fluid and electrolyte status.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: All stomach contents are aspirated and measured before administering a tube feeding to determine the gastric residual volume. If the stomach fails to empty and propel its contents forward, the tube feeding accumulates in the stomach and increases the client's risk of aspiration. If the aspirated gastric contents exceed the predetermined limit, the nurse withholds the tube feeding and collaborates with the primary health care provider on a plan of care. Assessing gastric residual volume does not confirm placement or assess fluid and electrolyte status. The nurse uses clinical indicators, including serum albumin levels, to determine the client's nutritional status.
A client is experiencing acute cardiac and cerebral symptoms as a result of an excess fluid volume. Which nursing measure should the nurse implement to increase the client's comfort until specific therapy is prescribed by the primary health care provider?
- A. Cover the client with warm blankets.
- B. Minimize visual and auditory stimuli present.
- C. Elevate the client's head to at least 45 degrees.
- D. Administer oxygen at 4 L per minute by nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Excess fluid volume can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath and cerebral edema, which can be alleviated by elevating the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees to promote venous drainage and reduce intracranial pressure. This is a safe and effective nursing intervention to increase comfort until specific medical therapy is prescribed.
A clinic nurse is assessing a prenatal client who has been diagnosed with heart disease. The nurse carefully assesses the client's vital signs, weight, and fluid and nutritional status to detect for complications caused by which pregnancy-related concern?
- A. Rh incompatibility
- B. Fetal cardiomegaly
- C. The increase in circulating blood volume
- D. Hypertrophy and increased contractility of the heart
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pregnancy taxes the circulating system of every woman because the blood volume increases, which causes the cardiac output to increase. Stroke volume × heart rate = cardiac output (SV × HR = CO). Options 1, 2, and 4 are not directly associated with pregnancy in a client with a cardiac condition.
A postpartum nurse caring for a client who delivered vaginally 2 hours ago palpates the fundus and notes the character of the lochia. Which characteristic of the lochia should indicate to the nurse that the client's recovery is normal?
- A. Pink-colored lochia
- B. White-colored lochia
- C. Serosanguineous lochia
- D. Dark red-colored lochia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When checking the perineum, the lochia is monitored for amount, color, and the presence of clots. The color of the lochia during the fourth stage of labor (the first 1 to 4 hours after birth) is dark red. Options 1, 2, and 3 are not the expected characteristics of lochia at this time period.
The nurse creates a postoperative plan of care for a client scheduled for a hypophysectomy. Which interventions should be included in the plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Obtain daily weights.
- B. Monitor intake and output.
- C. Elevate the head of the bed.
- D. Use a soft toothbrush for mouth care.
- E. Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: A hypophysectomy is done to remove a pituitary tumor. Because temporary diabetes insipidus or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone can develop after this surgery, obtaining daily weights and monitoring intake and output are important interventions. The head of the bed is elevated to assist in preventing increased intracranial pressure. Tooth-brushing, sneezing, coughing, nose blowing, and bending are activities that should be avoided postoperatively in the client who underwent a hypophysectomy because of the risk of increasing intracranial pressure. These activities interfere with the healing of the incision and can disrupt the graft.