The nurse has just finished assisting the primary health care provider in placing a central intravenous (IV) line. Which is a priority intervention to assure the client's safety?
- A. Assessing the client's pain level
- B. Assessing the client's temperature
- C. Preparing the client for a chest x-ray
- D. Monitoring the client's blood pressure (BP)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A major risk associated with central line placement is the possibility of a pneumothorax developing from an accidental puncture of the lung. Assessing the results of a chest radiograph is one of the best methods to determine if this complication has occurred and verify catheter tip placement before initiating IV therapy. A temperature elevation related to central line insertion would not likely occur immediately after placement. Pain management is important but is not the priority at this point. Although BP assessment is always important in assessing a client's status after an invasive procedure, fluid volume overload is not a concern until IV fluids are started.
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A coronary care unit (CCU) nurse is caring for a client admitted with acute myocardial infarction (MI). The nurse should monitor the client for which most common complication of MI?
- A. Heart failure
- B. Cardiogenic shock
- C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
- D. Recurrent myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dysrhythmias are the most common complication and cause of death after an MI. Heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and recurrent MI are also complications but occur less frequently.
A client with a spinal cord injury is at risk of developing footdrop. What intervention should the nurse use as a preventive measure?
- A. Mole skin-lined heel protectors
- B. Regular use of posterior splints
- C. Application of pneumatic boots
- D. Avoiding dorsal flexion of the foot
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The effective means of preventing footdrop (plantar flexion) is the use of posterior splints or high-top sneakers. Dorsal flexing of the foot would help to counteract the effects of footdrop. Heel protectors protect the skin but do not prevent footdrop. Pneumatic boots prevent deep vein thrombosis but not footdrop.
What should the pregnant client be taught to immediately eliminate in the first trimester to promote normal fetal organ development?
- A. Smoking
- B. Caffeine
- C. Alcohol
- D. Fatty foods
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first trimester, 'organogenesis,' is characterized by the differentiation and development of fetal organs, systems, and structures. The effects of alcohol on the developing fetus during this critical period depend not only on the amount of alcohol consumed, but also on the interaction of quantity, frequency, type of alcohol, and other drugs that may be abused during this period by the pregnant woman. Eliminating consumption of alcohol during this time may promote normal fetal organ development. Although options 1, 2, and 3 may be concerns, they are not specifically associated with the first trimester of pregnancy.
A pregnant client reports that her last menstrual period was February 9, 2018. Using Nägele's rule, what will the nurse determine as the estimated date of birth?
- A. 7-Oct-18
- B. 16-Oct-18
- C. 7-Nov-18
- D. 16-Nov-18
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Accurate use of Nägele's rule requires that the woman has a regular 28-day menstrual cycle. To calculate the estimated date of birth, the nurse would subtract 3 months from the first day of the last menstrual period, add 7 days, and then adjust the year as appropriate. First day of last menstrual period: February 9, 2018; subtract 3 months: November 9, 2017; add 7 days: November 16, 2017; and add 1 year, November 16, 2018.
The nurse is monitoring a client in the telemetry unit who has recently been admitted with the diagnosis of chest pain and notes this heart rate pattern on the monitoring strip. What is the initial action to be taken by the nurse?
- A. Notify the primary health care provider.
- B. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- C. Continue to monitor the client and the heart rate patterns.
- D. Administer oxygen with a face mask at 8 to 10 L per minute.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The monitor is showing ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening dysrhythmia that requires CPR and defibrillation to maintain life. Although the primary health care provider must be notified, CPR is the initial action. Oxygen is necessary, but again the initiation of CPR is the priority because it will provide more than just oxygen to the client. Monitoring the client is necessary, but not as an initial action; emergency resuscitative treatment must be provided to the client immediately.