The nurse is developing a care plan for an older client being admitted to a long-term care facility. Which information should the nurse use to plan interventions for this client? Select all that apply.
- A. Older clients tend to be incontinent.
- B. Older clients are at risk for dehydration.
- C. Depression is a normal part of the aging process.
- D. Age-related skin changes require special monitoring.
- E. Older clients are at risk for complications of immobility.
- F. Confusion and cognitive changes are common findings in the older population.
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Older clients are at risk for dehydration and complications related to immobility. Another normal physiological change that occurs during the aging process is loss of skin integrity. Incontinence, depression, confusion, and cognitive changes are not normal parts of the aging process.
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A client has been prescribed procainamide. The nurse implements which intervention before administering the medication to minimize the client's risk for injury?
- A. Obtaining a chest x-ray
- B. Assessing blood pressure and pulse
- C. Obtaining a complete blood cell count and liver function studies
- D. Scheduling a drug level to be drawn 1 hour after the dose is administered
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Procainamide is an antidysrhythmic medication. Before the medication is administered, the client's blood pressure and pulse are checked. This medication can cause toxic effects, and serum blood levels would be checked before administering the medication (therapeutic serum level is 4 to 10 mcg/mL [17.00 to 42.50 mcmol/L]). A chest x-ray and obtaining a complete blood cell count and liver function studies are unnecessary.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute bacterial pericarditis. Which nursing assessment findings are associated with this form of heart disease? Select all that apply.
- A. Fever
- B. Leukopenia
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Pericardial friction rub
- E. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- F. Precordial chest pain that intensifies by the supine position
Correct Answer: A,D,F
Rationale: In acute bacterial pericarditis, the membranes surrounding the heart become inflamed and rub against each other, producing the classic pericardial friction rub. Fever typically occurs and is accompanied by leukocytosis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The client complains of severe precordial chest pain that intensifies when lying supine and decreases in a sitting position. The pain also intensifies when the client breathes deeply. Malaise, myalgia, and tachycardia are common.
The nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) how to do pursed-lip breathing. Evaluation of understanding is evident if the client performs which action?
- A. Breathes in and then holds the breath for 30 seconds
- B. Loosens the abdominal muscles while breathing out
- C. Inhales with puckered lips and exhales with the mouth open wide
- D. Breathes so that expiration is two to three times as long as inspiration
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: COPD is a disease state characterized by airflow obstruction. Prolonging expiration time reduces air trapping caused by airway narrowing that occurs in COPD. The client is not instructed to breathe in and hold the breath for 30 seconds; this action has no useful purpose for the client with COPD. Tightening (not loosening) the abdominal muscles aids in expelling air. Exhaling through pursed lips (not with the mouth wide open) increases the intraluminal pressure and prevents the airways from collapsing.
The nurse assists a client diagnosed with a renal disorder in collecting a 24-hour urine specimen. Which intervention does the nurse implement to ensure proper collection of the 24-hour urine specimen?
- A. Have the client void at the start time and discard the specimen.
- B. Strain the specimen before pouring the urine into the container.
- C. Save all urine, beginning with the urine voided at the start time.
- D. Once completed, refrigerate the urine collection until picked up by the laboratory.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse asks the client to void at the beginning of the collection period and discards this urine sample because this urine has been stored in the bladder for an undetermined length of time. All urine thereafter is saved in an iced or refrigerated container. The client is asked to void at the finish time, and this sample is the last specimen added to the collection.
A 2-year-old toddler has just returned from surgery where a hip spica cast was applied. Which nursing action will best maintain the child's skin integrity?
- A. Changing the toddler's diapers every 2 hours.
- B. Keeping the toddler's genital area open to the air.
- C. Implementing a 3-hour turning schedule for the toddler.
- D. Assessing the toddler's perineal area for redness regularly.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The spica cast is often needed to treat developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) or after hip/pelvis surgery. The cast encases the child's trunk and one or both legs while leaving access to the genital. Considering the age of the child, diapers will be in use and will need to be changed at least every 2 hours during the day and 3 to 4 hours during the night to help minimize the effect of urine and feces on the child's diaper area. Exposing the genital and perineal area to the air is an intervention that is implemented to assist in healing damaged skin tissue. Turning the child regularly is appropriate care but has no impact on the major issue of incontinence. Assessment of the skin is necessary but identifies skin breakdown once it has begun.