The nurse is caring for the client who is 6 hours post—open cholecystectomy. The client's T—tube drainage bag is empty, and the nurse notes slight jaundice of the sclera. Which action by the nurse is most important?
- A. Reposition the client to promote T-tube drainage
- B. Telephone the surgeon to report these findings
- C. Ask a nursing assistant to obtain a blood pressure
- D. Record the findings and continue to monitor the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. Repositioning the client might promote bile flow into the T—tube if the client were lying on the tube. However, the jaundice indicates that the problem is internal. B. The T-tube is placed in the common bile duct to ensure patency of the duct. Lack of bile draining into the T—tube and jaundiced sclera are signs of an obstruction to the bile flow. This is most important to report to the surgeon. C. The client’s BP would not be affected by this situation. D. Recording the findings and continuing to monitor the client are inappropriate because the client is experiencing signs of a complication.
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The client is diagnosed with an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Provide a low-residue diet.
- B. Rest the client's bowel.
- C. Assess vital signs daily.
- D. Administer antacids orally.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis, resting the bowel (often via NPO status or clear liquids) reduces inflammation and irritation. A low-residue diet is used in stable phases, daily vital signs are routine, and antacids are irrelevant.
The client is being admitted to the outpatient psychiatric clinic diagnosed with bulimia. Which question should the nurse ask to identify behaviors suggesting bulimia?
- A. When was the last time you exercised?
- B. What over-the-counter medications do you take?
- C. How long have you had a positive self-image?
- D. Do you eat a lot of high-fiber foods for bowel movements?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about OTC medications identifies purging behaviors (e.g., laxatives, diuretics) common in bulimia. Exercise, self-image, and fiber intake are less specific.
Which instruction should be discussed with the client diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
- A. Eat a low-carbohydrate, low-sodium diet.
- B. Lie down for 30 minutes after eating.
- C. Do not eat spicy foods or acidic foods.
- D. Drink two (2) glasses of water before bedtime.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Avoiding spicy and acidic foods reduces esophageal irritation, a key instruction for managing GERD. Low-carb/sodium diets are not specific, lying down after eating worsens reflux, and water before bedtime is irrelevant.
The client at the eating disorder clinic weighs 35 kg and is 5 ft 7 inches tall. Which would the nurse document as the Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Correct Answer: 11.5
Rationale: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2. Height = 5'7 = 1.73 m. BMI = 35 / (1.73)^2 = 35 / 2.9929 ≈ 11.5.
The charge nurse has just received the shift report. Which client should the nurse see first?
- A. The client diagnosed with Crohn's disease who had two (2) semiformed stools on the previous shift.
- B. The elderly client admitted from another facility who is complaining of constipation.
- C. The client diagnosed with AIDS who had a 200-mL diarrhea stool and has elastic skin tissue turgor.
- D. The client diagnosed with hemorrhoids who had some spotting of bright red blood on the toilet tissue.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The AIDS client with diarrhea and elastic turgor may still be dehydrated, requiring immediate assessment for electrolyte imbalances. Crohn’s stools, constipation, and hemorrhoid bleeding are less urgent.
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