The nurse is making initial rounds on a client with a C5 fracture. The client is in a halo vest and is receiving O2 at 40% via mask to a tracheostomy. Assessment reveals a respiratory rate of 40 and O2 saturation of 88. The client is restless. Which initial nursing action is most indicated?
- A. Notifying the physician
- B. Performing tracheal suctioning
- C. Repositioning the client to the left side
- D. Rechecking the client's O2 saturation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Restlessness, tachypnea, and low O2 saturation suggest airway obstruction or secretions. Tracheal suctioning is the initial action to clear the airway and improve oxygenation.
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The clinic nurse is seeing a client who suffers from caregiver strain due to caring for her elderly parents who have dementia and live with her. Which action by the nurse during the assessment is most important?
- A. ask the client about her support systems
- B. ask the client what she does for relaxation
- C. ask if her parents' insurance covers adult day care for them
- D. offer to give her a list of nursing homes to care for her parents
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing support systems identifies resources to alleviate caregiver strain, guiding interventions to reduce stress.
The nurse is assessing a client following a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The nurse should give priority to reporting:
- A. Chest drainage of 150 mL in the past hour
- B. Confusion and restlessness
- C. Pallor and coolness of skin
- D. Urinary output of 40 mL per hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confusion and restlessness may indicate cerebral hypoxia or other serious complications post-CABG, requiring immediate reporting.
The nursing assistant is taking vitals for a client on mechanical ventilation. Which of the following findings should the nursing assistant report to the nurse immediately?
- A. respiratory rate 26 breaths/minute
- B. heart rate 82 beats/minute
- C. blood pressure 152/86 mmHg
- D. temperature 102.1°F
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fever (102.1°F) in a ventilated client suggests infection (e.g., ventilator-associated pneumonia), requiring immediate reporting.
The client is being evaluated for possible acute leukemia. Which inquiry by the nurse is most important?
- A. Have you noticed a change in sleeping habits recently?
- B. Have you had a respiratory infection in the last 6 months?
- C. Have you lost weight recently?
- D. Have you noticed changes in your alertness?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of leukemia due to increased metabolic demand and systemic effects of the disease.
The nurse caring for a client with chest tubes notes that the Pleuravac's collection chambers are full. The nurse should:
- A. Add more water to the suction-control chamber
- B. Remove the drainage using a 60 mL syringe
- C. Milk the tubing to facilitate drainage
- D. Prepare a new unit for continuing collection
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When the Pleuravac collection chambers are full, a new unit is needed to continue effective drainage and maintain the closed system.
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