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The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who is on mechanical ventilation. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Suction the tracheostomy as needed
- B. Ensure the tracheostomy ties are secure
- C. Provide humidified oxygen
- D. Clean any exudate around the tracheostomy site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with a tracheostomy on mechanical ventilation is to suction the tracheostomy as needed. Suctioning is essential to maintain a clear airway and prevent respiratory distress. While ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure (choice B) is important, it is not as urgent as airway maintenance. Providing humidified oxygen (choice C) is beneficial but does not address the immediate need for airway clearance. Cleaning exudate around the tracheostomy site (choice D) is important for hygiene but takes precedence over ensuring airway patency through suctioning.
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During the assessment of a client who has suffered a stroke, what finding would indicate a complication?
- A. Difficulty swallowing
- B. A slight headache
- C. High blood pressure
- D. Muscle weakness on one side
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can indicate complications such as aspiration risk, which is common after a stroke due to impaired swallowing reflexes. It poses a serious threat to the client's respiratory system. Options B, C, and D are less likely to indicate immediate complications post-stroke. A slight headache is a common complaint and may not necessarily indicate a complication. High blood pressure is a known risk factor for strokes but may not be an immediate post-stroke complication unless it is severely elevated. Muscle weakness on one side is a common sign of stroke but may not directly indicate a new complication.
A client with type 1 diabetes is experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer glucagon intramuscularly
- B. Provide a complex carbohydrate snack
- C. Administer 50% dextrose intravenously
- D. Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client with type 1 diabetes experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia is to give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate. In a hypoglycemic state, the priority is to quickly raise the blood glucose level. Administering glucagon intramuscularly (Choice A) is reserved for severe hypoglycemia when the client is unable to take oral carbohydrates. Providing a complex carbohydrate snack (Choice B) is beneficial after the initial treatment of hypoglycemia to prevent recurrence. Administering 50% dextrose intravenously (Choice C) is a more invasive intervention typically done in a hospital setting for severe cases.
A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is prescribed omeprazole (Prilosec). What is the primary action of this medication?
- A. Neutralizes stomach acid
- B. Reduces gastric acid production
- C. Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
- D. Increases gastric mucus production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reduces gastric acid production. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that works by reducing gastric acid production, thereby helping to heal ulcers. While neutralizing stomach acid is associated with antacids, forming a protective barrier over ulcers is more characteristic of medications like sucralfate. The action described in choice D, increasing gastric mucus production, is not the primary mechanism of action of omeprazole in treating peptic ulcer disease.
A client is receiving dexamethasone (Decadron). What symptoms should the nurse recognize as Cushingoid side effects?
- A. Moon face, slow wound healing, muscle wasting, sodium and water retention
- B. Tachycardia, hypertension, weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, restlessness, tremor
- C. Bradycardia, weight gain, cold intolerance, myxedema facies and periorbital edema
- D. Hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, dehydration, hypotension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cushingoid side effects are characteristic of excess corticosteroid use, such as dexamethasone. These include moon face (rounding of the face), slow wound healing, muscle wasting, and sodium and water retention. Options B, C, and D describe symptoms that are not typically associated with Cushingoid side effects. Tachycardia, hypertension, weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, restlessness, tremor (Option B) are not typical of Cushingoid effects, while bradycardia, weight gain, cold intolerance, myxedema facies, and periorbital edema (Option C) are more indicative of hypothyroidism. Hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, dehydration, and hypotension (Option D) are not classical features of Cushingoid side effects.
A client with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) is prescribed nitroglycerin. What is the primary action of this medication?
- A. Increases heart rate
- B. Lowers blood pressure
- C. Dilates coronary arteries
- D. Reduces myocardial oxygen demand
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. This helps increase oxygen supply to the heart tissue. Option A, 'Increases heart rate,' is incorrect because nitroglycerin does not directly affect heart rate. Option B, 'Lowers blood pressure,' is also incorrect as while nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure, its primary action in the context of MI is related to coronary artery dilation. Option D, 'Reduces myocardial oxygen demand,' is not the primary action of nitroglycerin in the treatment of myocardial infarction; its main action is to increase oxygen supply by dilating coronary arteries.