Nokea
The nurse is assisting with the triage of clients at a large community disaster and finds a man lying on the ground, who states that the blast threw him out of a second-story window. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Logroll the client to his side and assess for back injuries
- B. Perform a complete neurological assessment
- C. Open the client's airway immediately
- D. Place the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opening the client's airway immediately is the priority in this scenario. Ensuring the airway is clear takes precedence over other actions as it is crucial for the client's breathing and oxygenation. Logrolling the client to assess for back injuries may worsen the condition if there are spinal injuries, so this should not be done as the first step. Performing a complete neurological assessment is important but not the immediate priority over ensuring the airway is clear. Placing the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize is incorrect and could potentially harm the client, as neck stabilization should only be done if there is a suspected neck injury, which is not indicated in this case.
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The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Which laboratory result requires immediate intervention?
- A. Serum albumin of 3.5 g/dL.
- B. Prothrombin time (PT) of 12 seconds.
- C. Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL.
- D. Serum ammonia level of 180 mcg/dL.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, the serum ammonia level of 180 mcg/dL. An elevated serum ammonia level indicates hepatic dysfunction and can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Options A, B, and C are within normal ranges or slightly abnormal values for clients with cirrhosis and do not pose an immediate threat. Serum albumin levels may indicate malnutrition, prothrombin time may reflect liver synthetic function, and hemoglobin levels can be affected by various factors but do not require immediate intervention in this scenario.
A first-grade boy is sent to the school nurse after he fainted while playing tag during recess. When he arrives in the clinic he is alert and oriented and his vital signs include temperature of 97.8°F, pulse 96 bpm, respirations 15 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 80/56 mmHg. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. request transport of the child to his pediatrician's office
- B. call the child's parents and send him home for the day
- C. compare the child's body mass index to normal values
- D. measure the child's pulse and blood pressure every 15 minutes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the most important intervention for the nurse to implement is to measure the child's pulse and blood pressure every 15 minutes. The child experienced a syncopal episode (fainting) which could be due to various reasons, including dehydration or cardiac issues. Monitoring vital signs frequently will help detect any changes that may indicate underlying health issues. Requesting transport to the pediatrician's office or sending the child home without continuous monitoring may not provide immediate assessment and intervention. Comparing the child's body mass index to normal values is not relevant in addressing the immediate concern of monitoring vital signs after a syncopal episode.
A client with a history of coronary artery disease is admitted with chest pain. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Heart rate of 90 beats per minute.
- B. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
- C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute.
- D. Chest pain radiating to the left arm.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Chest pain radiating to the left arm can be a sign of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and requires immediate intervention. This symptom is known as a classic presentation of a heart attack and warrants urgent medical attention to prevent further cardiac damage. Choices A, B, and C are not directly indicative of an acute cardiac event and may not require immediate intervention in this scenario. While heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important vital signs to monitor, they do not specifically indicate the urgency associated with chest pain radiating to the left arm in a patient with a history of coronary artery disease.
The nurse is caring for a client with hyperthyroidism. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Heart rate of 100 beats per minute.
- B. Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg.
- C. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute.
- D. Weight loss of 5 pounds in one week.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Weight loss of 5 pounds in one week in a client with hyperthyroidism is concerning as it may indicate severe hypermetabolism, leading to potential complications such as cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and other metabolic disturbances. Rapid weight loss in hyperthyroidism indicates an accelerated metabolic rate and increased energy expenditure, which can be detrimental to the client's health. The other assessment findings (heart rate of 100 beats per minute, blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg, respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute) are commonly seen in clients with hyperthyroidism and may not necessarily require immediate intervention unless they are significantly outside the normal range or causing distress to the client.
A male client who had abdominal surgery has a nasogastric tube for suction, oxygen via nasal cannula, and complains of dry mouth. Which action should the nurse implement?
- A. Apply a petroleum-based lubricant to the lips.
- B. Give sips of water.
- C. Provide ice chips.
- D. Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the lips, oral mucosa, and nares.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct action is to apply a water-soluble lubricant to the lips, oral mucosa, and nares. This helps in keeping the mucous membranes moist, which is essential for a client with a dry mouth due to the nasogastric tube and oxygen therapy. Choice A, applying a petroleum-based lubricant to the lips, is not suitable as it may not be safe for internal use. Choice B, giving sips of water, is contraindicated as the client has a nasogastric tube in place for suction. Choice C, providing ice chips, is also not recommended as the client needs proper lubrication to address dryness, not cold stimulation.