Nokea
The nurse is caring for a client who is post-op following a thoracotomy. The client has 2 chest tubes in place, connected to 1 chest drain. The nursing assessment reveals bubbling in the water seal chamber when the client coughs. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- A. Clamp the chest tube
- B. Call the surgeon immediately
- C. Continue to monitor the client to see if the bubbling increases
- D. Instruct the client to try to avoid coughing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bubbling associated with coughing after lung surgery is to be expected as small amounts of air escape the pleural space when pressures inside the chest increase with coughing. Monitoring is the only nursing action required at this time.
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A 52-year-old woman complains of chronic constipation.
The nurse in the health care clinic should advise the woman to
- A. reduce her intake of highly seasoned foods and fats.
- B. drink 1,000 cc of fluids daily.
- C. increase her intake of cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
- D. ask her physician to prescribe Dulcolax 5 mg enteric-coated tablets daily.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Strategy: All answers are implementations. Determine the outcome of each answer choice. Is it desired? (1) unnecessary, no effect on constipation (2) normal intake 1,500-2,000, reduced intake causes constipation (3) correct-bulk-forming foods help with constipation (4) passing the buck, laxatives are a last resort
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of ulcerative colitis.
- A. Which laboratory finding is most concerning for a client with ulcerative colitis?
- B. Hemoglobin of 10.5 g/dL.
- C. White blood cell count of 15,000/mm³.
- D. Serum potassium of 3.8 mEq/L.
- E. Albumin of 3.0 g/dL.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A white blood cell count of 15,000/mm³ suggests infection or severe inflammation in ulcerative colitis, requiring immediate attention. Low hemoglobin and albumin are common, and normal potassium is unremarkable.
A newborn weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces at birth. The nurse assesses the newborn at home 2 days later and finds the weight to be 6 pounds 7 ounces. What should the nurse tell the parents about this weight loss?
- A. The newborn needs additional assessments
- B. The mother should breast feed more often
- C. A change to formula is indicated
- D. The loss is within normal limits
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The loss is within normal limits. A newborn is expected to lose 5-10% of the birth weight in the first few days post-partum because of changes in elimination and feeding.
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of bipolar disorder who is receiving valproic acid (Depakote) 500 mg PO bid. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse report immediately?
- A. Liver enzymes elevated to twice normal.
- B. Sodium 140 mEq/L.
- C. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L.
- D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated liver enzymes suggest hepatotoxicity, a serious valproic acid side effect. Options B, C, and D are normal.
A client is being discharged following insertion of a permanent set pacemaker. A client with a permanent set pacemaker should be taught:
- A. To keep a loose dressing over the insertion site at all times
- B. That the pacemaker will function continuously at a set rate
- C. That increases in activity will require adjustments in the pacemaker setting
- D. That he will have to modify his lifestyle to allow for afternoon rest periods
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Modern pacemakers adjust their rate based on activity (rate-responsive pacing), so the client should understand that increased activity may require pacemaker adjustments.