Nokea
The nurse is monitoring a client diagnosed with a ruptured appendix for signs of peritonitis. The nurse should assess for which manifestations of this complication? Select all that apply.
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Distended abdomen
- C. Subnormal temperature
- D. Rigid, boardlike abdomen
- E. Diminished bowel sounds
- F. Inability to pass flatus or feces
Correct Answer: B,D,E,F
Rationale: Peritonitis is an acute inflammation of the visceral and parietal peritoneum, the endothelial lining of the abdominal cavity. Clinical manifestations include distended abdomen; a rigid, boardlike abdomen; diminished bowel sounds; inability to pass flatus or feces; abdominal pain (localized, poorly localized, or referred to the shoulder or thorax); anorexia, nausea, and vomiting; rebound tenderness in the abdomen; high fever; tachycardia; dehydration from the high fever; decreased urinary output; hiccups; and possible compromise in respiratory status.
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The nurse evaluates a client after treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning following a burn injury. The nurse should document that the treatment was effective if which finding was present? Select all that apply.
- A. The client is sleeping soundly.
- B. The client is awake and talking.
- C. Respiratory rate is 26 breaths/minute.
- D. The client's heart rate is 84 beats/minute.
- E. Carboxyhemoglobin levels are less than 5%.
- F. The heart monitor shows normal sinus rhythm.
Correct Answer: D,E,F
Rationale: Normal carboxyhemoglobin levels are less than 5% for a nonsmoking adult. Clients can be awake and talking with abnormally high levels. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are tachycardia, tachypnea, and central nervous system depression.
A client has had a nasointestinal (NI) tube in place for 24 hours. Which assessment finding indicates that the tube is properly located in the intestine?
- A. Bowel sounds are absent.
- B. The client denies being nauseous.
- C. Aspirate from the tube has a pH of 7.
- D. The abdominal x-ray indicates that the end of the tube is above the pylorus.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nasogastric (NG) or NI tube is used to decompress the intestine and correct a bowel obstruction. Nausea should subside as decompression is accomplished. The pH of the gastric fluid is acidic, and the pH of the intestinal fluid is alkaline (7 or higher). Although bowel sounds will be abnormal in the presence of obstruction, the presence or absence of bowel sounds is not associated with the location of the tube. The end of the tube should be located in the intestine (below the pylorus). Location of the tube can also be determined by radiographs.
The nurse is monitoring a client who was recently prescribed total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which action should the nurse take when obtaining a fingerstick glucose reading of 425 mg/dL (24.28 mmol/L)?
- A. Stop the TPN.
- B. Administer insulin.
- C. Notify the primary health care provider.
- D. Decrease the flow rate of the TPN.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperglycemia is a complication of TPN, and the nurse should report abnormalities to the primary health care provider. Options 1, 2, and 4 are not done without a primary health care provider's prescription.
The nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with Reye's syndrome. The nurse monitors for manifestations of which condition associated with this syndrome?
- A. Protein in the urine
- B. Symptoms of hyperglycemia
- C. Increased intracranial pressure
- D. A history of a staphylococcus infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reye's syndrome is an acute encephalopathy that follows a viral illness and is characterized pathologically by cerebral edema and fatty changes in the liver. Intracranial pressure and encephalopathy are major problems associated with Reye's syndrome. Protein is not present in the urine. Reye's syndrome is related to a history of viral infections, and hypoglycemia is a symptom of this disease.
The nurse provides a class to new mothers on newborn care. When teaching cord care, the nurse should instruct mothers to take which action?
- A. If antibiotic ointment has been applied to the cord, it is not necessary to do anything else to it.
- B. All that is necessary is to wash the cord with antibacterial soap and allow it to air-dry once a day.
- C. Apply alcohol thoroughly to the cord, being careful not to move the cord because it will cause pain to the newborn infant.
- D. Apply the prescribed cleansing agent to the cord, ensuring that all areas around the cord are cleaned two to three times a day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The cord and base should be cleansed with alcohol (or another substance as prescribed) thoroughly, two to three times per day. The steps are (1) lift the cord; (2) wipe around the cord, starting at the top; (3) clean the base of the cord; and (4) fold the diaper below the umbilical cord to allow the cord to air-dry and prevent contamination from urine. Antibiotic ointment is not normally prescribed. Continuation of cord care is necessary until the cord falls off within 7 to 14 days. Water and soap are not necessary; in fact, the cord should be kept from getting wet. The infant does not feel pain in this area.