Nokea
The nurse creates a postoperative plan of care for a client undergoing an arthroscopy. The nurse should include which priority action in the plan?
- A. Monitor intake and output.
- B. Assess the tissue at the surgical site.
- C. Monitor the area for numbness or tingling.
- D. Assess the complete blood cell count results.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Arthroscopy provides an endoscopic examination of the joint and is used to diagnose and treat acute and chronic disorders of the joint. The priority nursing action is to monitor the affected area for numbness or tingling, which could indicate neurovascular compromise.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client newly diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease asks the nurse to explain again what the most serious complication of the disorder might be. The nurse will provide the client with information concerning which condition?
- A. Diabetes insipidus
- B. End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
- C. Chronic urinary tract infection (UTI)
- D. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In polycystic kidney disease, cystic formation and hypertrophy of the kidneys occur. The most serious complication of polycystic kidney disease is ESRD, which is managed with dialysis or transplant. There is no reliable way to predict who will ultimately progress to ESRD. Chronic UTIs are the most common complication because of the altered anatomy of the kidney and from development of resistant strains of bacteria. Diabetes insipidus and SIADH secretion are unrelated disorders.
A multidisciplinary team working with the spouse of a home care client who has end-stage liver failure is teaching the spouse about pain management. Which statement by the spouse indicates the need for further teaching?
- A. My husband can use breathing exercises to control pain.
- B. I will help prevent constipation with increased fluids.
- C. If the pain increases, I will report it to the nurse promptly.
- D. The medication causes very deep sleep that my husband needs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the client with liver disease, the ability to metabolize medication is affected. A decreased level of consciousness is a potential clinical indicator of medication overdose, as well as fluid, electrolyte, and oxygenation deficiencies; thus, the nurse teaches the client's spouse about the differences between sleep related to pain relief and a deteriorating change in neurological status. Options 1, 2, and 3 all indicate an understanding of suitable steps to be taken in pain management.
A client with a known history of panic disorder comes to the emergency department and states to the nurse, 'Please help me. I think I'm having a heart attack.' What is the priority nursing action?
- A. Assess the client's vital signs.
- B. Encourage the client to use relaxation techniques.
- C. Identify the manifestations related to the panic disorder.
- D. Determine what the client's activity involved when the pain started.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with a panic disorder can experience acute physical symptoms, such as chest pain and palpitations. The priority is to assess the client's physical condition to rule out a physiological disorder for these signs and symptoms. Although options 2, 3, and 4 may be appropriate at some point in the care of the client, they are not the priority.
A client was admitted to the hospital 24 hours ago after sustaining blunt chest trauma. Which is the earliest clinical manifestation of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) the nurse should monitor for?
- A. Cyanosis with accompanying pallor
- B. Diffuse crackles and rhonchi on chest auscultation
- C. Increase in respiratory rate from 18 to 30 breaths per minute
- D. Haziness or 'white-out' appearance of lungs on chest radiograph
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ARDS usually develops within 24 to 48 hours after an initiating event, such as chest trauma. In most cases, tachypnea and dyspnea are the earliest clinical manifestations as the body compensates for mild hypoxemia through hyperventilation. Cyanosis and pallor are late findings and are the result of severe hypoxemia. Breath sounds in the early stages of ARDS are usually clear but then progress to diffuse crackles and rhonchi as pulmonary edema occurs. Chest radiographic findings may be normal during the early stages but will show diffuse haziness or 'white-out' appearance in the later stages.
The nurse admits a client who is bleeding freely from a scalp laceration that resulted from a fall. The nurse should take which action first in the care of this wound?
- A. Prepare for suturing the area.
- B. Determine when the client last had a tetanus vaccine.
- C. Cleanse the wound by flushing with sterile normal saline.
- D. Apply direct pressure to the laceration to stop the bleeding.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the presence of active bleeding from a scalp laceration, the priority is to control the bleeding to prevent further blood loss and stabilize the client. Applying direct pressure to the laceration is the most effective initial action to achieve this. Preparing for suturing, determining tetanus vaccine status, and cleansing the wound are important but secondary actions that follow after bleeding is controlled.