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The nurse has been assigned to care for four clients. Which client should the nurse plan to assess first?
- A. The 50-year-old client who has chronic pancreatitis and is reporting a pain level of 6 out of 10 on a numerical scale
- B. The 47-year-old client with esophageal varices who has influenza and has been coughing for the last 30 minutes
- C. The 60-year-old client who had an open cholecystectomy 15 hours ago and has been stable through the night
- D. The 54-year-old client with cirrhosis and jaundice who is reporting having itching all over the body
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. The client with a pain rating of 6 out of 10 on a numerical scale needs attention, but the pain is not a life-threatening concern. B. Bleeding esophageal varices are the most life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. Coughing can precipitate a bleeding episode. The nurse should assess this client first. C. The client who is postcholecystectomy is reported as being stable and could be assessed last. D. The client reporting itching needs attention, but the itching is not a life-threatening concern.
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The client diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease has a serum potassium level of 3.4 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Notify the health-care provider (HCP).
- B. Assess the client for muscle weakness.
- C. Request telemetry for the client.
- D. Prepare to administer potassium IV.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.4 mEq/L is slightly low, warranting assessment for symptoms like muscle weakness, which could indicate hypokalemia severity. Notification or intervention would follow based on clinical findings, but assessment is the first step.
The client is admitted to the medical unit with a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. Which healthcare provider's order should the nurse question?
- A. Insert a nasogastric tube.
- B. Start an IV with D5W at 125 mL/hr.
- C. Put the client on a clear liquid diet.
- D. Place the client on bedrest with bathroom privileges.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An NG tube is not routinely needed for acute diverticulitis unless there is vomiting or obstruction, which is not indicated. IV fluids, clear liquids, and bedrest are standard to rest the bowel and manage inflammation.
The nurse is discharging the client after Billroth II surgery (gastrojejunostomy). To assist the client to control dumping syndrome, which information should the nurse include in the client’s discharge instructions?
- A. Drink plenty of fluids with all your meals.
- B. Eat a high-carbohydrate, low-protein diet
- C. Wait to eat at least 5 hours between meals.
- D. Lie down for 20 to 30 minutes after meals.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A. Drinking fluids at mealtime increases the size of the food bolus that enters the stomach. B. Carbohydrates are more rapidly digested than fats and proteins and would cause the food bolus to pass quickly into the intestine, increasing the likelihood that dumping syndrome would occur. Meals high in carbohydrates result in postprandial hypoglycemia, which is considered a variant of dumping syndrome. C. Small, frequent meals are recommended to decrease dumping syndrome. D. Lying down after meals slows the passage of the food bolus into the intestine and helps to control dumping syndrome.
The female client presents to the clinic for an examination because she has not had a menstrual cycle for several months and wonders if she could be pregnant. The client is 5'10 tall and weighs 45 kg. Which assessment data should the nurse obtain first?
- A. Ask the client to recall what she ate for the last 24 hours.
- B. Determine what type of birth control the client has been using.
- C. Reweigh the client to confirm the data.
- D. Take the client's pulse and blood pressure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Low weight (BMI ~13.6) suggests anorexia, and vital signs (pulse, BP) assess for hemodynamic instability, a priority. Diet recall, birth control, and reweighing are secondary.
The nurse is caring for the client diagnosed with hemorrhoids. Which statement indicates further teaching is needed?
- A. I should increase fruits, bran, and fluids in my diet.
- B. I will use warm compresses and take sitz baths daily.
- C. I must take a laxative every night and have a stool daily.
- D. I can use an analgesic ointment or suppository for pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Daily laxatives are not necessary and may cause dependency; hemorrhoid management focuses on diet and symptom relief. Increased fiber/fluids, sitz baths, and analgesics are correct.