The nurse is assessing the client recovering from abdominal surgery who has a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The client has shallow respirations and refuses to deep breathe. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Insist the client take deep breaths.
- B. Notify the surgeon to request a chest x-ray.
- C. Determine the last time the client used the PCA pump.
- D. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Determining PCA use assesses if overmedication is causing shallow respirations, guiding further action. Insisting on breathing, x-rays, or oxygen are secondary without cause.
You may also like to solve these questions
The client diagnosed with IBD is prescribed sulfasalazine (Asulfidine), a sulfonamide antibiotic. Which statement best describes the rationale for administering this medication?
- A. It is administered rectally to help decrease colon inflammation.
- B. This medication slows gastrointestinal (GI) motility and reduces diarrhea.
- C. This medication kills the bacteria causing the exacerbation.
- D. It acts topically on the colon mucosa to decrease inflammation.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sulfasalazine reduces inflammation in IBD by acting topically on the colon mucosa, delivering its active component (mesalamine) to the inflamed areas. It is not primarily an antibiotic, does not slow motility, and is taken orally, not rectally.
The nurse is discussing the therapeutic diet for the client diagnosed with diverticulosis. Which meal indicates the client understands the discharge teaching?
- A. Fried fish, mashed potatoes, and iced tea.
- B. Ham sandwich, applesauce, and whole milk.
- C. Chicken salad on whole-wheat bread and water.
- D. Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad and coffee.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A high-fiber diet, like whole-wheat bread, prevents constipation and flare-ups in diverticulosis. Fried foods, low-fiber applesauce, and salads with seeds (e.g., tomatoes) are less appropriate.
The client is diagnosed with an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Provide a low-residue diet.
- B. Rest the client's bowel.
- C. Assess vital signs daily.
- D. Administer antacids orally.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, resting the bowel (often via NPO status or clear liquids) reduces inflammation and irritation. A low-residue diet is used in stable phases, daily vital signs are routine, and antacids are irrelevant.
A distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy is performed on a client with cancer of the pancreas. He is returned to his room postoperatively. The client is sleepy but can answer simple questions appropriately. His dressing is dry and intact. Vital signs are within normal limits. Which of the following nursing measures must be done before the nurse leaves the room?
- A. Inform his wife that he has returned to his room.
- B. Check to see if the indwelling urinary catheter bag is correctly attached to the bed frame.
- C. Assess to be sure he is not experiencing any discomfort.
- D. Put all four side rails in the high position.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Raising all four side rails ensures safety for a sleepy postoperative client, preventing falls.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a gnawing pain in the mid-epigastric area and black stools for the past week. A diagnosis of chronic duodenal ulcer is made. During the initial nursing assessment, the client makes all of the following statements. Which is most likely related to his admitting diagnosis?
- A. I am a vegetarian.'
- B. My mother and grandmother have diabetes.'
- C. I take aspirin several times a day for tension headaches.'
- D. I take multivitamin and iron tablets every day.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin is very irritating to the gastric mucosa and is known to cause ulcers. Vegetarianism, family history of diabetes, and multivitamins with iron are not directly linked to duodenal ulcers.
Nokea