The nurse is caring for a client who has been placed in skin traction. Which action by the nurse provides for countertraction to reduce shear and friction?
- A. Using a footboard
- B. Providing an overhead trapeze
- C. Slightly elevating the foot of the bed
- D. Slightly elevating the head of the bed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The part of the bed under an area in traction is usually elevated to aid in countertraction. For the client in skin traction (which is applied to a leg), the foot of the bed is elevated. Option 3 provides a force that opposes the traction force effectively without harming the client. A footboard, an overhead trapeze, or elevating the head of the bed is not used to provide countertraction.
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Which medication instructions should the nurse provide to a client who has been prescribed levothyroxine? Select all that apply.
- A. Monitor your own pulse rate.
- B. Take the medication in the morning.
- C. Take the medication at the same time each day.
- D. Notify the primary health care provider if chest pain occurs.
- E. Expect the pulse rate to be greater than 100 beats per minute.
- F. It may take 1 to 3 weeks for a full therapeutic effect to occur.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone. The client is instructed to monitor her or his own pulse rate. The client is also instructed to take the medication in the morning before breakfast to prevent insomnia and to take the medication at the same time each day to maintain hormone levels. The client is told not to discontinue the medication and that thyroid replacement is lifelong. Additional instructions include contacting the primary health care provider if the rate is greater than 100 beats per minute and notifying the primary health care provider if chest pain occurs, or if weight loss, nervousness and tremors, or insomnia develops. The client is also told that full therapeutic effect may take 1 to 3 weeks and that he or she needs to have follow-up thyroid blood studies to monitor therapy.
A child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of rheumatic fever. The nurse reviews the blood laboratory findings, knowing that which finding will confirm the likelihood of this disorder?
- A. Increased leukocyte count
- B. Decreased hemoglobin count
- C. Increased antistreptolysin-O (ASO titer)
- D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Children suspected of having rheumatic fever are tested for streptococcal antibodies. The most reliable and best standardized test to confirm the diagnosis is the ASO titer. An elevated level indicates the presence of rheumatic fever. The remaining options are unrelated to diagnosing rheumatic fever. Additionally, an increased leukocyte count indicates the presence of infection but is not specific in confirming a particular diagnosis.
The nurse in the prenatal clinic is monitoring a client who is pregnant with twins. The nurse monitors the client closely for which priority complication that is associated with a twin pregnancy?
- A. Hemorrhoids
- B. Postterm labor
- C. Maternal anemia
- D. Costovertebral angle tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maternal anemia often occurs in twin pregnancies because of a greater demand for iron by the fetuses. Options 1 and 4 occur in a twin pregnancy but would not be as high a priority as anemia. Option 2 is incorrect because twin pregnancies often end in prematurity.
The nurse provides information to a client diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Which manifestations resulting from a blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dL (4 mmol/L) should the nurse include in the information? Select all that apply.
- A. Hunger
- B. Sweating
- C. Weakness
- D. Nervousness
- E. Cool clammy skin
- F. Increased urinary output
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is characterized by a blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dL (4 mmol/L). Clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia include hunger, sweating, weakness, nervousness, cool clammy skin, blurred vision or double vision, tachycardia, and palpitations. Increased urinary output is a manifestation of hyperglycemia.
The nurse provides dietary instructions to a client who needs to limit intake of sodium. The nurse instructs the client that which food items must be avoided because of their high sodium content? Select all that apply.
- A. Ham
- B. Apples
- C. Broccoli
- D. Soy sauce
- E. Asparagus
- F. Cantaloupe
Correct Answer: A,D
Rationale: Foods highest in sodium include table salt, some cheeses, soy sauce, cured pork, canned foods because of the preservatives, and foods such as cold cuts. Fruits and vegetables contain minimal amounts of sodium.