The nurse is caring for a six-year-old boy several hours after the application of a hip spica cast.
- A. What should the nurse do first for a six-year-old complaining of pain in his left foot several hours after hip spica cast application?
- B. Elevate the left leg on two pillows.
- C. Palpate the cast for warmth and wetness.
- D. Administer pain medication as ordered.
- E. Check the blanching sign on both feet.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pain in the foot post-cast application suggests possible circulatory impairment. Checking the blanching sign (capillary refill) assesses circulation, comparing the affected and unaffected sides. Elevation, palpation, or medication may follow but do not address the urgent need to assess circulation.
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A 67-year-old man following a cardiac catheterization. Two hours after the procedure, the nurse checks the patient's insertion site in the antecubital space, and the patient complains that his hand is numb.
The nurse should
- A. change the position of his hand.
- B. check his grip strength in both hands.
- C. notify the physician.
- D. instruct the patient to exercise his fingers.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Strategy: Answers are a mix of assessments and implementations. Does the assessment answer validate what is going on? No. Determine the outcome of each answer choice. (1) assumes that numbness is related to positioning of hand, not circulatory changes (2) part of assessment, but doesn't indicate status of circulation (3) correct-absent or weak pulse or numbness could indicate problem with circulation, anticoagulants and vasodilators may be ordered (4) assumes that numbness is related to immobility of fingers, not circulatory changes
A client comes to the emergency room with complaints of 'numbness, tingling, and coldness' of her left leg. She is able to walk. You note that the skin appears pale and is cool to the touch. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Ask if she had had a similar condition in her arms or the other leg
- B. Notify the physician immediately
- C. Obtain a detailed nursing health history
- D. Palpate and record the femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses in the affected leg
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Palpating pulses assesses for arterial occlusion, the priority to determine the cause of numbness and coldness, guiding urgent intervention.
The nurse is planning discharge for a client who suffered a mild myocardial infarction (MI) and smokes one pack of cigarettes per day.
Which of the following recommendations by the nurse would be BEST?
- A. Participation in a program such as 'Nicotine Avoidance.'
- B. Avoidance of aerobic physical activity.
- C. Instillation of a humidifier in the home heating system.
- D. Strict adherence to a low-calorie, low-sodium, high-lipid diet.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Strategy: Answers are implementations. Determine the outcome of each answer choice. Is it desired? (1) correct-smoking is definitely a modifiable risk factor, self-help program can significantly aid in quitting (2) well-planned aerobic physical activity program is a must (3) humidification does not modify the risk factors (4) low-calorie is appropriate, needs a low-fat, not a high-fat, diet
Which information should be given to a client taking Dilantin (phenytoin)?
- A. Taking the medication with meals will increase its effectiveness
- B. The medication can cause sleep disturbances
- C. More frequent dental appointments will be needed for special gum care
- D. The medication decreases the effects of oral contraceptives
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, necessitating more frequent dental visits for gum care.
When planning the care for a young adult client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa which of these concerns should the nurse determine to be the priority for long term mobility?
- A. Digestive problems
- B. Amenorrhea
- C. Electrolyte imbalance
- D. Blood disorders
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amenorrhea. Changes in reproductive hormones and in thyroid hormones can cause absence of menstruation, called amenorrhea, which contributes to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
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