The nurse is assessing a trauma client in the emergency room when she notes a penetrating abdominal wound with exposed viscera. The nurse should:
- A. Apply a clean dressing to protect the wound.
- B. Cover the exposed viscera with a sterile saline gauze.
- C. Gently replace the abdominal contents.
- D. Cover the area with a petroleum gauze.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exposed viscera should be covered with sterile saline-soaked gauze to keep them moist and prevent infection until surgical repair. Replacing contents or using non-sterile/petroleum dressings is unsafe.
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A 60-year-old woman exhibits forgetfulness, emotional lability, confusion, and decreased concentration. She has been unable to perform activities of daily living without assistance. After a thorough medical evaluation, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was made. An appropriate nursing intervention to decrease the anxiety of this client would include:
- A. Allowing the client to perform activities of daily living as much as possible unassisted
- B. Confronting confabulations
- C. Reality testing
- D. Providing a highly stimulating environment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This answer is correct. The more the client is able to control her daily routine, the less anxiety she will experience. This answer is incorrect. Confrontation tends to increase anxiety. This answer is incorrect. Reality testing is an assessment tool. It does not decrease anxiety. This answer is incorrect. A highly stimulating environment increases distractibility and anxiety.
A client is admitted for suspected bladder cancer. Which one of the following factors is most significant in the client's diagnosis?
- A. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years
- B. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
- C. Eating foods with preservatives
- D. Past employment involving asbestos
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Smoking is the most significant risk factor for bladder cancer, as tobacco toxins are excreted in urine, directly irritating the bladder lining.
A male client had a right below-the-knee amputation 4 days ago. His incision is healing well. He has gotten out of bed several times and sat at the side of the bed. Each time after returning to bed, he has experienced pain as if it were located in his right foot. Which nursing measure indicates the nurse has a thorough understanding of phantom pain and its management?
- A. Phantom pain is entirely in the client's mind. The client should be instructed that the pain is psychological and should not be treated.
- B. The basis for phantom pain may occur because the nerves still carry pain sensation to the brain even though the limb has been amputated. The pain is real, intense, and should be treated.
- C. The cause of phantom pain is unknown. The nurse should provide the client with support, promote sleep, and handle the injured limb smoothly and gently.
- D. Phantom pain is caused by trauma, spasms, and edema at the incisional site. It will decrease when postoperative edema decreases. It should be treated with nonnarcotic medication whenever possible.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This statement is entirely false. Phantom pain may be caused by nerves continuing to carry sensation to the brain even though the limb is removed. It is real, intense, and should be treated as ordinary pain would. Although the cause of phantom pain is still unknown, these measures may promote the relief of any type of pain, not just phantom pain. Phantom pain is not caused by trauma, spasms, and edema and will not be relieved by decreasing edema.
A client with a history of a ventricular tachycardia is receiving Amiodarone (Cordarone). The nurse should monitor the client for:
- A. Hypotension
- B. Hyperglycemia
- C. Hypokalemia
- D. Pulmonary toxicity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary toxicity, a serious side effect requiring monitoring for cough or dyspnea. Hypotension is possible but less specific, and hyperglycemia/hypokalemia are unrelated.
The nurse teaches a pregnant client that a high-risk symptom occurring at any time during pregnancy that needs to be reported immediately to a healthcare provider is:
- A. Constipation
- B. Urinary frequency
- C. Breast tenderness
- D. Abdominal pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Abdominal pain may be an indication of early spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, or a placental abruption, requiring immediate medical attention.
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