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.
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The nurse analyzed an electrocardiogram (ECG) strip (refer to figure) for a client demonstrating left-sided heart failure and interprets the ECG strip as which rhythm?
- A. Atrial fibrillation
- B. Sinus dysrhythmia
- C. Ventricular fibrillation
- D. Third-degree heart block
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is characterized by rapid, chaotic atrial depolarization. Ventricular rates may be less than 100 beats per minute (controlled) or greater than 100 beats per minute (uncontrolled). The ECG reveals chaotic or no identifiable P waves and an irregular ventricular rhythm. A sinus dysrhythmia has a normal P wave and PR interval and QRS complex. In ventricular fibrillation, there are no identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves.
A client is experiencing acute cardiac and cerebral symptoms as a result of an excess fluid volume. Which nursing measure should the nurse implement to increase the client's comfort until specific therapy is prescribed by the primary health care provider?
- A. Cover the client with warm blankets.
- B. Minimize visual and auditory stimuli present.
- C. Elevate the client's head to at least 45 degrees.
- D. Administer oxygen at 4 L per minute by nasal cannula.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Excess fluid volume can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath and cerebral edema, which can be alleviated by elevating the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees to promote venous drainage and reduce intracranial pressure. This is a safe and effective nursing intervention to increase comfort until specific medical therapy is prescribed.
The ambulatory care nurse is assessing a client with chronic sinusitis. The nurse determines that which manifestations reported by the client are related to this problem? Select all that apply.
- A. Anosmia
- B. Chronic cough
- C. Blurry vision
- D. Nasal stuffiness
- E. Purulent nasal discharge
- F. Headache that worsens in the evening
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: Chronic sinusitis is characterized by anosmia (loss of smell), a chronic cough resulting from nasal discharge, nasal stuffiness, persistent purulent nasal discharge, and headache that is worse upon arising after sleep. Blurred vision is not associated directly to this condition.
A client has just undergone an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series. Upon the client's return to the unit, what primary health care provider's prescriptions does the nurse expect to note as a part of routine postprocedure care?
- A. Bland diet
- B. NPO status
- C. Mild laxative
- D. Decreased fluids
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Barium sulfate, which is used as a contrast material during an upper GI series, is constipating. If it is not eliminated from the GI tract, it can cause obstruction. Therefore, laxatives or cathartics are administered as part of routine postprocedure care. Increased (not decreased) fluids are also helpful but do not act in the same way as a laxative to eliminate the barium.
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.