Nokea
The nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-op following an abdominal hysterectomy. The client reports feeling something 'give way' in the incision site and there is a small amount of bowel protruding from the wound. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Apply a sterile saline dressing to the wound
- B. Notify the healthcare provider
- C. Administer pain medication
- D. Cover the wound with an abdominal binder
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take first is to apply a sterile saline dressing to the wound (Choice A). This is because the client's situation suggests an incisional dehiscence, which is a surgical complication requiring immediate attention to prevent infection and further complications. Applying a sterile saline dressing helps protect the exposed bowel from contamination and dehydration.
Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice B) is important, but immediate wound care is the priority to prevent complications. Administering pain medication (Choice C) can wait until after the wound is properly dressed and assessed. Covering the wound with an abdominal binder (Choice D) is not appropriate in this situation as it does not address the urgent need to protect the exposed bowel and prevent infection.
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A client with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF) is admitted with fluid volume overload. Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours
- B. Presence of a cough
- C. Edema in the lower extremities
- D. Shortness of breath
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Shortness of breath. This assessment finding is crucial in a client with CHF and fluid volume overload as it indicates potential worsening of heart failure leading to pulmonary congestion. Shortness of breath is a common symptom of fluid accumulation in the lungs, requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory distress.
A: Weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours may indicate fluid retention but is not as urgent as shortness of breath.
B: Presence of a cough can be a symptom of CHF but is not as specific or concerning as shortness of breath.
C: Edema in the lower extremities is also a common finding in CHF but does not directly signify acute respiratory compromise as shortness of breath does.
The nurse is administering total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central line at 75 ml/hour to a client who had a bowel resection 4 days ago. Which laboratory finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Blood glucose of 140 mg/dL
- B. White blood cell count of 8000/mm³
- C. Serum potassium of 3.8 mEq/L
- D. Serum calcium of 7.8 mg/dL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Serum calcium of 7.8 mg/dL. This finding indicates hypocalcemia, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Low calcium levels can be caused by TPN administration or poor calcium absorption following bowel resection. Immediate intervention may include administering IV calcium gluconate.
A: Blood glucose of 140 mg/dL is within the normal range and not an immediate concern.
B: White blood cell count of 8000/mm³ is within the normal range and does not require immediate intervention.
C: Serum potassium of 3.8 mEq/L is within the normal range and does not pose an immediate threat.
A client who has had three spontaneous abortions is requesting information about possible causes. The nurse's response should be based on which information?
- A. Chromosomal abnormalities are the most common cause of early spontaneous abortions
- B. Incompetent cervix can cause spontaneous abortions
- C. An infection can cause spontaneous abortions
- D. Nutritional deficiencies are the most common cause of early spontaneous abortions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because chromosomal abnormalities are indeed the most common cause of early spontaneous abortions. These abnormalities can occur during fertilization or early cell division, leading to non-viable embryos. Choice B, incompetent cervix, typically causes late-term miscarriages. Choice C, infections, can contribute to miscarriages but are not the most common cause. Choice D, nutritional deficiencies, can impact pregnancy outcomes but are not the primary cause of early spontaneous abortions. In summary, the correct answer A is supported by the fact that chromosomal abnormalities are the leading cause of early spontaneous abortions, while the other choices are either more relevant to late-term miscarriages or less commonly associated with early pregnancy loss.
Oxygen at liters/min per nasal cannula PRN difficult breathing is prescribed for a client with pneumonia. Which nursing intervention is effective in preventing oxygen toxicity?
- A. Avoiding the administration of high levels of oxygen for extended periods.
- B. Administering a sedative at bedtime to slow the client's respiratory rate.
- C. Removing the nasal cannula during the night to prevent oxygen buildup.
- D. Running oxygen through a hydration source prior to administration.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. High levels of oxygen over a prolonged period can lead to oxygen toxicity.
2. Oxygen toxicity can cause lung damage and respiratory distress.
3. To prevent oxygen toxicity, it is crucial to monitor and limit the duration and amount of oxygen administered.
4. Therefore, avoiding the administration of high levels of oxygen for extended periods is the most effective intervention to prevent oxygen toxicity.
Summary of other choices:
B: Administering a sedative does not address the root cause of oxygen toxicity and can mask symptoms.
C: Removing the nasal cannula at night can lead to hypoxia and is not a safe practice.
D: Running oxygen through a hydration source does not prevent oxygen toxicity and is not a recognized intervention.
While assessing a client who is experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations, the nurse observes periods of apnea. What action should the nurse implement?
- A. Elevate the head of the client's bed
- B. Auscultate the client's breath sounds
- C. Measure the length of the apneic periods
- D. Suction the client's oropharynx
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Measure the length of the apneic periods. This action is crucial in assessing the severity of Cheyne-Stokes respirations and guiding further interventions. By measuring the length of apneic periods, the nurse can determine the duration of respiratory pauses and their impact on oxygenation. This information helps in deciding the appropriate treatment, such as administering supplemental oxygen or notifying the healthcare provider. Elevating the head of the bed (choice A) can help with breathing but does not address the root cause. Auscultating breath sounds (choice B) is important but does not directly address the apneic periods. Suctioning the oropharynx (choice D) is not indicated unless there is an airway obstruction.