The nurse has attended a staff education program about administering intramuscular injections. Which of the following statements by the nurse would indicate a correct understanding of the program?
- A. I will insert the needle at a 45-degree angle.
- B. I will wait 3 seconds after injecting the medication before removing the needle.
- C. I will gently massage the injection site after removing the needle.
- D. I will use my hand to displace subcutaneous tissue prior to inserting the needle.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Displacing subcutaneous tissue (D) via the Z-track method prevents leakage and irritation. IM injections use a 90-degree angle (A is incorrect), waiting 3 seconds (B) is not standard, and massaging (C) is avoided for some medications.
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A nurse is caring for an elderly client who had a colectomy for removal of cancer 2 days ago. The client is becoming increasingly restless and has been given IV morphine every 2 hours for severe pain. Respirations are 28/min and shallow. Which arterial blood gas results best indicate that the client is in acute respiratory failure and needs immediate intervention?
- A. PaO2 49 mm Hg (6.5 kPa), PaCO2 60 mm Hg (8.0 kPa)
- B. PaO2 64 mm Hg (8.5 kPa), PaCO2 45 mm Hg (6.0 kPa)
- C. PaO2 70 mm Hg (9.3 kPa), PaCO2 30 mm Hg (4.0 kPa)
- D. PaO2 86 mm Hg (11.5 kPa), PaCO2 25 mm Hg (3.33 kPa)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PaO2 < 50 mm Hg and PaCO2 > 50 mm Hg (A) indicate acute respiratory failure, requiring immediate intervention. Other options show less severe hypoxemia or normal values.
An RN who usually works in a spinal rehabilitation unit is floated to the emergency department. Which of these clients should the charge nurse assign to this RN?
- A. A middle-aged client who says 'I took too many diet pills' and 'my heart feels like it is racing out of my chest.'
- B. A young adult who says 'I hear songs from heaven. I need money for beer. I quit drinking 2 days ago for my family. Why are my arms and legs jerking?'
- C. An adolescent who was recently diagnosed with leukemia and started chemotherapy with an initial assessment finding of pinpoint pupils and a relaxed respiratory rate of 10
- D. An elderly client who reports having taken a 'large crack hit' 10 minutes prior to walking into the emergency room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses who are floated to other units should be assigned to a client who has minimal anticipated immediate complications of their problem. The client in option C exhibits opioid toxicity with the pinpoint pupils and has the least risk of complications occurring in the near future.
An adult has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy and asks what causes it. The nurse knows that which of the following is correct?
- A. Bell's palsy is caused by the chickenpox virus.
- B. The cause is unknown.
- C. Bell's palsy usually follows a cold or influenza.
- D. Trauma to the area brings on the symptoms.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The exact cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, though it may be associated with viral infections or inflammation, but not specifically chickenpox, flu, or trauma.
The family of a 90-year-old resident in a long-term care facility asks the nurse why the client only gets a shower three times a week. What information is most important for the nurse to include when answering the question?
- A. The staff members have limited time and must schedule all the residents.
- B. The client's skin is dry; too many showers will dry the skin further.
- C. The client has limited energy and must conserve it.
- D. The client is not very active and doesn't get very dirty.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent showers can exacerbate dry skin in elderly clients, increasing irritation or breakdown risk. Staffing, energy, or activity levels are less relevant to skin health.
The morning weight for a client with emphysema indicates that the client has gained 5 pounds in less than a week, even though his oral intake has been modest. The client's weight gain may reflect which associated complication of COPD?
- A. Polycythemia
- B. Cor pulmonale
- C. Left ventricular failure
- D. Compensated acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in a client with emphysema, despite modest intake, suggests fluid retention, which is commonly associated with cor pulmonale, a complication of COPD involving right heart failure due to lung disease. Answer A (polycythemia) is a blood disorder, not directly linked to weight gain. Answer C (left ventricular failure) is less likely in COPD compared to cor pulmonale. Answer D (compensated acidosis) does not cause weight gain.