Nokea
The nurse is assessing a patient who has a history of alcohol use. Which of the following assessment data should the nurse expect?
- A. Low blood pressure
- B. Decreased heart rate
- C. Elevated temperature
- D. Abdominal tenderness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Abdominal pain associated with gastrointestinal tract and liver dysfunction is common in patients with persistent alcohol use. The other problems are not typically associated with alcohol use.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a patient admitted to hospital with chest pain who is a pack-a-day smoker and tells the nurse, 'I am just not ready to quit smoking yet.' Which of the following responses is the most appropriate?
- A. This would be a really good time to quit.
- B. Your smoking is the cause of your chest pain.
- C. Do you think that smoking has caused any health problems?
- D. Are you familiar with the various nicotine replacement options?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient is in the precontemplation stage of change, and the nurse's role is to assist the patient in identifying motivators to quitting. The current Clinical Practice Guidelines indicate that the nurse should ask the patient to identify any negative consequences from smoking. The responses 'This would be a really good time to quit.' and 'Your smoking is the cause of your chest pain.' express judgmental feelings by the nurse and are not likely to motivate the patient. Providing information about the various nicotine replacement options would be appropriate for a patient who has expressed a desire to quit smoking.
An agitated individual is brought to the emergency department by friends who state that the patient took a hallucinogenic drug at a party and then tried to jump from a second-story window. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is priority?
- A. Risk for injury related to altered sensation.
- B. Ineffective health maintenance related to ineffective coping strategies.
- C. Powerlessness related to insufficient knowledge to manage a situation.
- D. Ineffective denial related to insufficient sense of control.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Although all the diagnoses may be appropriate for the patient, the highest priority is to address the patient's immediate risk for injury.
The nurse is caring for a young adult patient who has inhaled cocaine and has been admitted to the emergency department with palpitations and shortness of breath. Which of the following actions ordered by the health care provider will the nurse implement first?
- A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
- B. Start O2 at 4 L/minute.
- C. Draw blood for drug screening.
- D. Infuse normal saline at 100 mL/hour.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority here is to ensure that oxygenation is adequate. The other orders also should be accomplished as soon as possible but are not the first priority.
The nurse is caring for a patient with alcohol dependence who has been admitted to the hospital with chest pain. Twenty-four hours after admission, the patient becomes very tremulous and anxious. Which of the following actions should the nurse implement?
- A. Insert an IV line and infuse fluids.
- B. Promote oral intake to 3000 mL/day.
- C. Provide a quiet, well-lit environment.
- D. Administer opioids to provide sedation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's symptoms suggest acute alcohol withdrawal, and a quiet and well-lit environment will help to decrease agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. There is no indication that the patient is dehydrated. Benzodiazepines, rather than opioids, are used to prevent withdrawal. IV lines are avoided whenever possible.
An older adult has been taking alprazolam and calls the clinic asking for a refill of the prescription 1 month before it should need to be refilled. Which of the following responses is most appropriate?
- A. The prescription cannot be refilled for another month. What happened to all of your pills?
- B. Do you have any muscle cramps or tremors if you don't take the medication frequently?
- C. I will ask the doctor to prescribe a few more pills, but you will not be able to get any more for another month.
- D. I am concerned that you may be overusing the alprazolam. Let's make an appointment for you to see the doctor today.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient should be assessed for problems that are causing overuse of the alprazolam, such as anxiety or memory loss. The other responses by the nurse will not allow for the needed assessment and possible referral for support services or treatment of drug dependence.