Nokea
The nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism who had a parathyroidectomy 4 hours ago. Which technique should the nurse use to check for complications in this client?
- A. Ask the client to place the backs of the hands against each other to provide hyperextension of the wrist while the elbows remain flexed
- B. Perform the Romberg test by asking the client to stand with the eyes closed and the feet together
- C. Place a blood pressure (BP) cuff on the client's arm, inflate to pressure greater than systolic BP, and monitor for carpal spasm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Post-parathyroidectomy, hypocalcemia is a potential complication due to reduced parathyroid hormone levels. Trousseau’s sign (C), elicited by inflating a BP cuff to induce carpal spasm, indicates hypocalcemia, a critical complication requiring prompt intervention. The wrist hyperextension test (A) is unrelated to hypocalcemia, and the Romberg test (B) assesses balance, not relevant to this scenario.
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Which of these clients would be appropriate to assign to a practical nurse (PN)?
- A. A trauma victim with multiple lacerations and requires complex dressings
- B. An elderly client with cystitis and an indwelling urethral catheter
- C. A confused client whose family complains about the nursing care 2 days after surgery
- D. A client admitted for possible transient ischemic attack with unstable neurological signs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This is a stable client, with predictable outcome and care and minimal risk for complications.
A client is to be discharged on enoxaparin (Lovenox) for the next two days. Which comment by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
- A. I will wash my hands before I prepare the injection.
- B. I will give the injection in my thigh.
- C. I will pinch the skin before I inject the medicine.
- D. I will not massage the area after the shot.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, not the thigh, indicating a need for further teaching.
An 8-year-old hospitalized due to a bowel obstruction is to be discharged home with a temporary colostomy. The parents’ primary language is Vietnamese, and their English proficiency is very limited. What is the best approach for the nurse to use when reinforcing instructions to the parents on how to care for the child at home?
- A. Demonstrate the procedure using simple English phrases
- B. Give the parents written instructions with picture illustrations
- C. Tell the parents to have a friend or relative come in to translate
- D. Use an interpreter via the telephone interpretation service
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A professional interpreter (D) ensures accurate communication, critical for colostomy care. Simple English (A) risks misunderstanding, pictures (B) are insufficient alone, and informal translators (C) may lack medical accuracy.
The nurse is preparing a client for a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Which statements by the client would require the nurse to obtain further assessment data? Select all that apply.
- A. I ate lunch about 4 or 5 hours ago.
- B. I got a rash the last time I had IV contrast.
- C. I had my last period 6 weeks ago.
- D. I have a hearing aid implanted in my ear.
- E. I smoked a cigarette about an hour ago.
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: A contrast allergy rash (B) requires premedication or alternative imaging. A possible pregnancy (C) needs confirmation due to MRI risks. A hearing aid implant (D) may be MRI-incompatible. Recent eating (A) is less critical unless sedation is planned, and smoking (E) is irrelevant.
A client with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus gives birth to a newborn at term gestation. When caring for the 2 hour-old newborn, which clinical finding requires the nurse to intervene?
- A. Cyanosis of hands and feet
- B. Heart rate of 165/min while crying
- C. Jitteriness
- D. Respirations of 60/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Jitteriness (C) in a newborn of a diabetic mother suggests hypoglycemia, a common complication due to maternal hyperglycemia causing fetal hyperinsulinism. Immediate intervention (e.g., glucose testing) is needed. Acrocyanosis (A) is normal, heart rate 165/min while crying (B) is within range, and respirations of 60/min (D) are normal for a newborn.