Nokea
Nurses Notes
Emergency Department
0900:
The client has new-onset tremors, extreme restlessness, nausea, and anxiety. The client recently had a back
injury and was prescribed tramadol. The client also takes sertraline for major depression. On examination,
the client is flushed and diaphoretic. The client's voice is tremulous. Mild rigidity and tremors are noted in the
lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes are 3+. Pupillary dilation and ocular clonus are present.
Vital Signs
0900
T
100.9 F (38.3 C)
P
125
RR
20
BP
160/100
Sp02
99% on room air
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
0900
TSH
0.3-5 uU/mL
(0.3-5 mU/L)
2 pU/mL
(2 mU/L)
WBC
5000-10,000/mm3
(5.0-10.0 × 10%/L)
7800/mm3
(7.8 × 10%L)
The nurse is caring for a 42-year-old client in the emergency department. The nurse is reviewing the collected client data to assist with preparing the client's plan of care. Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to measure the client's progress.
- A. Administer phenytoin, Discontinue sertraline, Administer methimazole, Administer a benzodiazepine, Prepare to administer radioactive iodine
- B. Panic attack, Hyperthyroidism, Serotonin syndrome, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- C. Clonus, TSH level, WBC count, Temperature, Feelings of impending doom
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome (ie, serotonin toxicity) is a life-threatening condition caused by excess serotonin in the central nervous
system. Tramadol is an analgesic medication with serotonergic activity that can lead to serotonin syndrome when taken with a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (eg, sertraline).
Clinical manifestations include mental status changes (eg, anxiety, restlessness, agitation), autonomic dysregulation (eg,
diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia), and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Treatment involves discontinuing all
serotonergic medications (eg, sertraline, tramadol) and administering a benzodiazepine to improve agitation and
decrease muscle contraction (eg, clonus), which reduces temperature.
You may also like to solve these questions
History and Physical
Body System
Findings
General
Client reports a 1-week history of general malaise, fever and chills, night sweats, fatigue, and
poor appetite. Client has poorly controlled hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and mitral
valve prolapse and regurgitation.
Eye, Ear, Nose, and
Throat (EENT)
Poor dental hygiene. Client reports having 2 teeth extracted 3 weeks ago.
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18 and SpO, 96% on room air. Lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 100.4 F (38 C), P 105, and BP 140/82. Sinus tachycardia with occasional
premature ventricular contractions on cardiac monitor. S1 and S2 heard on auscultation with
loud systolic murmur at the apex. Peripheral pulses 2+; no edema noted.
Integumentary
Small, erythematous macular lesions on both palms. Thin, brown longitudinal lines on several
nail beds.
For each potential prescription, click to specify whether the prescription is expected or not expected for the care of the client.
- A. Administer IV antibiotics
- B. Prepare client for echocardiography
- C. Initiate low-flow supplemental oxygen
- D. Gather supplies for pericardiocentesis
- E. Place peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
- F. Collect a blood specimen for culture and sensitivity
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Expected prescriptions for clients with suspected infective endocarditis (IE) include:
• Administering IV antibiotics to kill the infectious pathogen
• Preparing the client for echocardiography to identify valvular dysfunction, chamber enlargement, and vegetations
• Placing a peripherally inserted central catheter for long-term IV antibiotic therapy
• Collecting a blood specimen for culture and sensitivity to identify the infectious pathogen
Initiating low-flow supplemental oxygen is not expected because the client is not exhibiting signs of respiratory distress.
Pericardiocentesis is performed to remove excess fluid from the pericardial cavity and prevent progression to cardiac
tamponade. Pericardial effusions are not commonly expected with IE. Furthermore, this client is not exhibiting signs of
pericardial effusion (eg, muffled heart sounds, substernal pain). Therefore, gathering supplies for pericardiocentesis is not
expected.
The nurse is caring for a 24-year-old client.
Nurses' Notes
Emergency Department
1300:
The client is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision in which the driver's side airbag deployed.
The client was driving the vehicle and was not restrained by a seat belt. The client reports shortness of breath and chest
pain on inspiration and expiration.
History and Physical
Body System ,Findings
Neurological,
Awake, alert, and oriented to person; pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client is
agitated and moves all extremities spontaneously but does not follow commands
Integumentary, Superficial lacerations to the face; diffuse bruising noted on upper extremities and chest wall
Pulmonary,
Vital signs: RR 30, SpOz 92% via nonrebreather mask; unilateral chest wall expansion observed on inspiration;
left-sided tracheal deviation noted; breath sounds diminished throughout the right lung field
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs: P 104, BP 90/58; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; all pulses palpable; no extremity peripheral edema
noted
Psychosocial ,Alcohol odor noted on the client's breath
Which of the following findings are consistent with a tension pneumothorax? Select all that apply.
- A. Diminished breath sounds on one side
- B. Dyspnea
- C. Hypotension
- D. Recent thoracic trauma
- E. Tracheal deviation
- F. Unilateral chest wall expansion
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E,F
Rationale: A pneumothorax is characterized by air inside the pleural space, which disrupts the negative pressure that maintains lung expansion. This
causes the lung to collapse either partially or completely, leading to unilateral, diminished breath sounds; unilateral chest wall
expansion; and dyspnea. A pneumothorax often occurs from blunt thoracic trauma (eg, during a motor vehicle collision). Air can also ent
the pleural space through the chest wall and parietal pleura (open pneumothorax) during or after an invasive procedure on or near the chest
wall (eg, thoracentesis, paracentesis, central line insertion) (Options 1, 2, 4, and 6).
The nurse is caring for a 68-year-old client in the emergency department.
Nurses' Notes,
Emergency Department
1020:
The client reports shortness of breath, a 2-lb weight gain over the past week, and lower extremity swelling. The client
reports slight chest discomfort during activity that is relieved with rest. Medical history is significant for hypertension.
myocardial infarction, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and chronic stable angina. Current medications include
metoprolol, furosemide, potassium chloride, lisinopril, and aspirin. The client takes all medications as prescribed except
one; he states, "I do not take that water pill because I got tired of having to go to the bathroom all the time."
S1 and S2 are present; a prominent S3 is heard. Respirations are labored with inspiratory crackles in the middle and at the
base of the lungs. The abdomen is soft and nontender with normoactive bowel sounds. There is 3+ pitting edema in the
bilateral lower extremities.
Vital Signs,
1020
T ,98.8 F (37.1 C)
P, 60
RR, 24
BP, 168/96
SpO2, 90% on room air
Laboratory Test and Reference Range, 1030
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L),
133 mEq/L
(133 mmol/L)
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L),
6.5 mEq/L
(6.5 mmol/L)
BUN
10-20 mg/dL
(3.6-7.1 mmol/L),
22 mg/dL
(7.85 mmol/L)
Creatinine
Male: 0.6-1.3 mg/dL
(53-114.9 umol/L),
1.5 mg/dL
(132.6 umol/L)
Female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL
(44.2-97.2 umol/L)
The nurse receives prescriptions for medications to treat the client's hyperkalemia. For each medication, click to specify if the medication drives potassium from blood into cells, promotes potassium excretion, or stabilizes
myocardial cell membranes.
- A. Furosemide
- B. Albuterol
nebulizer
- C. Calcium gluconate
- D. Insulin and dextrose
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Several medications can rapidly correct a client's hyperkalemia by:
• Driving potassium from blood into cells: The serum potassium level can be temporarily lowered by administering an albuterol
nebulizer and IV insulin. Although albuterol and insulin are not usually administered for this purpose, they also shift potassium from the
extracellular space to the intracellular space. Because insulin transports both glucose and potassium into the cell, dextrose is
administered in combination with insulin to prevent hypoglycemia. Albuterol is not often used alone for hyperkalemia; it is often
administered with insulin and dextrose to improve the potassium-lowering effect.
• Promoting potassium excretion: Administration of loop diuretics (ie, potassium-wasting diuretics such as furosemide) will increase
the amount of potassium excreted into the urine at the loop of Henle and also treat the client's acute fluid volume overload.
• Stabilizing myocardial cell membranes: Administration of calcium gluconate antagonizes potassium and protects the myocardium
from potassium-induced dyshythmias by blocking potassium's effects and reducing myocardial irritability. Calcium gluconate does not
alter serum potassium levels and is usually indicated if there are ECG changes with hyperkalemia.
Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
1100:
The client has experienced enuresis at night for the past 2 weeks and frequently requests to use the
bathroom while at school. The client was previously toilet trained with no nighttime bed wetting for 6 months;
the client recently relocated to a new home and school where the client lives with parents.
The parent reports that the client has recently demonstrated fatigue, irritability, and multiple behavioral
outbursts that resemble past temper tantrums. The client frequently reports feeling thirsty. No dysuria or
urinary hesitancy is reported.
Weight and height were in the 40th percentiles at the previous visit a year ago. Growth charts today show
the client's weight in the 20th percentile and height in the 40th percentile.
The client appears tired and irritable. Dry mucous membranes are noted with no increased work of
breathing. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. No cardiac murmur is heard.
Which of the following statements by the client's parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching about management for type 1 diabetes mellitus? Select all that apply
- A. I may need to administer insulin more frequently when my child is ill
- B. Insulin requirements will change as my child grows
- C. Insulin should be injected deeply enough to reach the muscle
- D. Overnight social events should be avoided to prevent changes in my child's routine
- E. Proper diet and exercise can eliminate the need for insulin during adulthood.
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: Clients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) have impaired insulin production due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta
cells. Because clients with type 1 DM do not produce insulin, lifelong insulin replacement is required. Insulin requirements
will change with growth and development
Insulin requirements may increase because stressful events (eg, illness) cause blood glucose levels to rise. When the
client is ill, the parent should be instructed to notify the health care provider, monitor blood glucose levels closely, test the urine
for ketones, increase insulin administration per sliding scale, and monitor for signs of dehydration
History and Physical
Body System,Findings
General
Client has history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diverticulosis, and
osteoarthritis; Helicobacter pylori infection 2 years ago; client reports taking over-the-counter
ibuprofen every 8 hours for left knee pain for the past 2 weeks; daily medications include aspirin,
carvedilol, lisinopril, and atorvastatin
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 20, SpO 96% on room air, lung sounds clear bilaterally; no shortness of breath;
client smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day and smokes marijuana 1 or 2 times weekly
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: P 110, BP 90/62; no chest pain; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses
2+; client states feeling lightheaded and reports passing out about 1 hour ago
Gastrointestinal
Abdominal pain rated as 4 on a scale of 0-10; one episode of hematemesis; two episodes of
large, black, liquid stools in the morning
Musculoskeletal
Examination of the knees shows crepitus that is worse on the left; no swelling, warmth, or
erythema; range of motion is normal
Psychosocial
Client reports drinking 1 or 2 glasses of wine per day
Select below the 5 findings that require follow-up.
- A. ibuprofen every 8 hours
- B. smokes marijuana 1 or 2 times weekly
- C. client states feeling lightheaded and reports passing out about 1 hour ago
- D. black, liquid stools
- E. crepitus that is worse on the left;
- F. Vital signs: P 110, BP 90/62; no chest pain;
- G. Abdominal pain rated as 4 on a scale of 0-10; one episode of hematemesis;
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F,G
Rationale: A client with hematemesis and black stools is most likely experiencing an acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. GI bleeding is a
life-threatening condition that can lead to hemorrhagic shock without immediate intervention. The nurse should immediately
follow up on:
• Chronic NSAID use (eg, ibuprofen), a common cause of drug-induced upper GI bleeds that must be discontinued.
• Hypotension and tachycardia, manifestations of hypovolemia. Hypotension occurs with decreased cardiac output, and
tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism to promote maximum perfusion to vital organs. Because this client has a
history of hypertension, even borderline low blood pressure is considered abnormal.
• Syncope (ie, passing out), a clinical finding associated with hypovolemia caused by decreased perfusion to the brain.
• Hematemesis (ie, vomiting blood), indicative of bleeding in the upper GI tract (eg, stomach ulcers, esophageal varices).
• Dark/black and/or tarry stools, most often associated with upper GI bleeding; blood becomes partially digested as it
passes through the Gl tract, resulting in the dark color.