Nokea
The nurse is caring for a client who will be taught to ambulate with a cane. Before cane-assisted ambulation instructions begin, what should the nurse check for as the priority to assure client safety?
- A. A high level of stamina and energy
- B. Self-consciousness about using a cane
- C. Full range of motion in lower extremities
- D. Balance, muscle strength, and confidence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the client's balance, strength, and confidence helps determine if the cane is a suitable assistive device for the client. A high level of stamina and full range of motion are not needed for walking with a cane. Although body image (self-consciousness) is a component of the assessment, it is not the priority.
You may also like to solve these questions
The client is prescribed sotalol 80 mg orally twice daily. Which assessment finding indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. Dry mouth
- B. Palpitations
- C. Diaphoresis
- D. Difficulty swallowing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sotalol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that may be prescribed to treat chronic angina pectoris. Adverse effects include palpitations, bradycardia, an irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, signs of heart failure, and cold hands and feet. Gastrointestinal disturbances, anxiety and nervousness, and unusual tiredness and weakness can also occur. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not adverse effects of this medication.
The nurse performs an assessment on a client newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse expects to note which early manifestations of the disease? Select all that apply.
- A. Fatigue
- B. Anorexia
- C. Weakness
- D. Low-grade fever
- E. Joint deformities
- F. Joint inflammation
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,F
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease process that primarily affects the synovial joints. Early manifestations include fatigue, anorexia, weakness, joint inflammation, low-grade fever, and paresthesia. Joint deformities are late manifestations.
The nurse is preparing to administer an opioid to a client via an epidural catheter. Before administering the medication, the nurse aspirates and obtains 5 mL of clear fluid. Based on this finding, which action should the nurse take?
- A. Inject the opioid slowly.
- B. Notify the anesthesiologist.
- C. Inject the aspirate back into the catheter and administer the opioid.
- D. Flush the catheter with 6 mL of sterile water before injecting the opioid.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspiration of clear fluid of less than 1 mL is indicative of epidural catheter placement. More than 1 mL of clear fluid or bloody return means that the catheter may be in the subarachnoid space or a vessel. Therefore, the nurse would not inject the medication and would notify the anesthesiologist. Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect actions.
The nurse assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old child hospitalized with a diagnosis of croup notes that the respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute. Based on this finding, which nursing action is appropriate?
- A. Begin administering supplemental oxygen.
- B. Document the findings according to facility policies.
- C. Notify the child's primary health care provider immediately.
- D. Reassess the respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth in 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a 3-year-old child is approximately 20 to 30 breaths per minute. Because the respiratory rate is normal, options 1, 3, and 4 are unnecessary actions. The nurse would document the findings.
The hemoglobin levels of a client in her first trimester of pregnancy are indicative of iron deficiency anemia. Which assessment findings support the diagnosis of this type of anemia? Select all that apply.
- A. Yellowish sclera
- B. Reports of severe fatigue
- C. Pink mucous membranes
- D. Increased vaginal secretions
- E. Reports of frequent headaches
- F. Reports of increased frequency of voiding
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia is described as a hemoglobin blood concentration of less than 10.5 to 11.0 g/dL (105 to 110 mmol/L). Complaints of headaches and severe fatigue are abnormal findings and may reflect complications of this type of anemia caused by the decreased oxygen supply to vital organs. Options 3, 4, and 6 are normal findings in the first trimester of pregnancy. Yellow sclera (whites of the eyes) is associated with jaundice.