The nurse is assessing a client who has just received a blood transfusion. The client reports chills and back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Slow the rate of transfusion.
- B. Administer an antipyretic.
- C. Stop the transfusion immediately.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Stop the transfusion immediately. Chills and back pain are indicative of a possible transfusion reaction, which is a critical situation. Stopping the transfusion is crucial to prevent further complications and ensure the client's safety. Slowing the rate of transfusion (Choice A) is not sufficient in this case as immediate action is required. Administering an antipyretic (Choice B) may help with fever but does not address the potential severe reaction. Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice D) can be done after stopping the transfusion, but the priority is to halt the infusion to prevent harm.
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Which nonfood item is the most common cause of respiratory arrest in young children?
- A. Broken rattles
- B. Buttons
- C. Pacifiers
- D. Latex balloons
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Latex balloons. Latex balloons can pose a significant choking hazard to young children if inhaled, potentially leading to respiratory arrest. Broken rattles, buttons, and pacifiers are not typically known to cause respiratory arrest in young children. While these items can present choking hazards as well, the most common cause of respiratory arrest among young children is due to inhaling latex balloons.
A client with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. What is the primary action of this medication?
- A. Increases joint lubrication
- B. Reduces inflammation by suppressing the immune system
- C. Enhances bone density
- D. Stimulates cartilage regeneration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant that works by suppressing the immune system, thereby reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate does not directly increase joint lubrication (Choice A) as its primary action is on the immune system. Choices C and D are incorrect since methotrexate does not enhance bone density or stimulate cartilage regeneration. It is crucial for healthcare providers to understand the mechanism of action of medications to provide safe and effective care to patients.
A client with hypothyroidism is being treated with levothyroxine (Synthroid). What is the most important information for the nurse to provide to the client?
- A. Take the medication on an empty stomach
- B. Monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism
- C. Expect to see results within a week
- D. Avoid exposure to sunlight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to provide to a client with hypothyroidism being treated with levothyroxine is to monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism. Too much levothyroxine can lead to symptoms of hyperthyroidism, indicating an overdose. Choice A is incorrect as levothyroxine is usually taken on an empty stomach to ensure optimal absorption. Choice C is inaccurate as it may take weeks to months to see the full effects of levothyroxine therapy due to the need for dosage adjustments. Choice D is unrelated to levothyroxine therapy and is not a crucial concern for this specific medication.
The nurse observes a client with new-onset tachycardia. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Check for the client's temperature
- B. Administer prescribed beta-blockers
- C. Assess for any chest pain or discomfort
- D. Monitor the client's blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a client presents with new-onset tachycardia, the first action the nurse should take is to assess for any associated symptoms like chest pain or discomfort. This is important to differentiate the potential causes of tachycardia and guide appropriate interventions. Checking the client's temperature (Choice A) may be relevant in certain situations but is not the priority when tachycardia is observed. Administering prescribed beta-blockers (Choice B) should only be done after a comprehensive assessment and healthcare provider's orders. Monitoring the client's blood pressure (Choice D) is important, but assessing for chest pain or discomfort takes precedence in this scenario to rule out cardiac causes of tachycardia.
A client reports feeling dizzy and light-headed when standing up. What is the nurse's best initial action?
- A. Instruct the client to sit or lie down
- B. Monitor blood pressure and pulse
- C. Administer an anti-dizziness medication
- D. Increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor blood pressure and pulse. When a client reports feeling dizzy and light-headed when standing up, the nurse's best initial action should be to monitor the client's blood pressure and pulse. These symptoms are indicative of orthostatic hypotension, which can be confirmed by changes in blood pressure and pulse when moving from lying to standing positions. Instructing the client to sit or lie down may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause. Administering an anti-dizziness medication should not be the initial action without assessing vital signs first. Increasing fluid intake is important for overall health but is not the priority in this situation where vital sign monitoring is needed to assess for orthostatic hypotension.