Nokea
The nurse evaluates a client after treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning following a burn injury. The nurse should document that the treatment was effective if which finding was present? Select all that apply.
- A. The client is sleeping soundly.
- B. The client is awake and talking.
- C. Respiratory rate is 26 breaths/minute.
- D. The client's heart rate is 84 beats/minute.
- E. Carboxyhemoglobin levels are less than 5%.
- F. The heart monitor shows normal sinus rhythm.
Correct Answer: D,E,F
Rationale: Normal carboxyhemoglobin levels are less than 5% for a nonsmoking adult. Clients can be awake and talking with abnormally high levels. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are tachycardia, tachypnea, and central nervous system depression.
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The nurse is caring for a client who had an orthopedic injury of the leg that required surgery and the application of a cast. Postoperatively, which nursing assessment is of highest priority to assure client safety?
- A. Monitoring for heel breakdown
- B. Monitoring for bladder distention
- C. Monitoring for extremity shortening
- D. Monitoring for blanching ability of toe nail beds
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: With cast application, concern for compartment syndrome development is of the highest priority. If postsurgical edema compromises circulation, the client will demonstrate numbness, tingling, loss of blanching of toenail beds, and pain that will not be relieved by opioids. Although heel breakdown, bladder distention, or extremity lengthening or shortening can occur, these complications are not potentially life-threatening complications.
The nurse is monitoring a client diagnosed with a ruptured appendix for signs of peritonitis. The nurse should assess for which manifestations of this complication? Select all that apply.
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Distended abdomen
- C. Subnormal temperature
- D. Rigid, boardlike abdomen
- E. Diminished bowel sounds
- F. Inability to pass flatus or feces
Correct Answer: B,D,E,F
Rationale: Peritonitis is an acute inflammation of the visceral and parietal peritoneum, the endothelial lining of the abdominal cavity. Clinical manifestations include distended abdomen; a rigid, boardlike abdomen; diminished bowel sounds; inability to pass flatus or feces; abdominal pain (localized, poorly localized, or referred to the shoulder or thorax); anorexia, nausea, and vomiting; rebound tenderness in the abdomen; high fever; tachycardia; dehydration from the high fever; decreased urinary output; hiccups; and possible compromise in respiratory status.
A client prescribed lithium carbonate for the treatment of bipolar disorder has a medication blood level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L). Which assessment question should the nurse ask to determine whether the client is experiencing signs of lithium toxicity associated with this level?
- A. Do you hear ringing in your ears?
- B. Have you noted that your vision is blurred?
- C. Have you fallen recently because you are dizzy?
- D. Have you been experiencing any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Normal lithium levels are between 0.8 to 1.2 mEq/L (0.8 to 1.2 mmol/L). One of the most common early signs of lower level lithium toxicity is gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The assessment questions in options 1, 2, and 3 are related to the findings in lithium toxicity at higher levels.
The nurse, while caring for a hospitalized infant being monitored for increased intracranial pressure (ICP), notes that the anterior fontanel bulges when the infant cries. Based on this assessment finding, which conclusion should the nurse draw?
- A. That no action is required.
- B. The head of the bed needs to be lowered.
- C. The infant needs to be placed on NPO status.
- D. The primary health care provider should be notified immediately.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A bulging anterior fontanel in an infant when crying is a normal finding, as crying increases intracranial pressure temporarily. This does not indicate a pathological condition requiring immediate intervention. Lowering the head of the bed or placing the infant on NPO status is not warranted, and notifying the primary health care provider is unnecessary unless other signs of increased ICP, such as persistent bulging at rest, irritability, or lethargy, are present.
The nurse is creating a discharge plan for a postoperative client who had a unilateral adrenalectomy. What area of instruction should the nurse include in the plan to minimize the client's risk for injury?
- A. Teaching the client to maintain a diabetic diet
- B. Encouraging the adoption of a realistic exercise routine
- C. Providing a detailed list of the early signs of a wound infection
- D. Explaining the need for lifelong replacement of all adrenal hormones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A client who had a unilateral adrenalectomy (one adrenal gland was removed) will be placed on corticosteroids temporarily to avoid a cortisol deficiency; lifelong replacement is not necessary. Corticosteroids will be gradually weaned in the postoperative period until they are discontinued. Also, because of the anti-inflammatory properties of corticosteroids produced by the adrenals, clients who undergo an adrenalectomy are at increased risk of developing wound infections. Because of this increased risk of infection, it is important for the client to know measures to prevent infection, early signs of infection, and what to do if an infection seems to be present.