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The nurse is obtaining a history from a client who was admitted to the hospital with a thrombotic stroke. What are the most likely signs/symptoms the client experienced before the stroke occurred? Select all that apply.
- A. Temporary aphasia
- B. Throbbing headaches
- C. Transient hemiplegia
- D. Paresthesias of the hands and feet
- E. Unexplained loss of consciousness
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Cerebral thrombosis does not occur suddenly. During the few hours or days before a thrombotic stroke, the client may experience a transient loss of speech (aphasia), hemiplegia, or paresthesias on one side of the body. Other signs and symptoms of thrombotic stroke vary, but they may include dizziness, cognitive changes, or seizures. Headache is rare, and a loss of consciousness is not likely to occur.
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The nurse reviews the record of a client who is receiving external radiation therapy and notes documentation of a skin finding as moist desquamation. Which finding on assessment of the client should the nurse expect to observe?
- A. A rash
- B. Dermatitis
- C. Reddened skin
- D. Weeping of the skin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Moist desquamation occurs when the basal cells of the skin are destroyed. The dermal level is exposed, which results in the leakage of serum. A rash, dermatitis, and reddened skin may occur with external radiation, but these conditions are not described as moist desquamation.
A client in a long-term care facility has had a series of gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic tests, including an upper and lower GI series and endoscopies. Upon return to the long-term care facility, which priority assessment should the nurse focus on?
- A. The comfort level
- B. Activity tolerance
- C. The level of consciousness
- D. The hydration and nutrition status
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Many of the diagnostic studies to identify GI disorders require that the GI tract be cleaned (usually with laxatives and enemas) before testing. In addition, the client most often takes nothing by mouth before and during the testing period. Because the studies may be done over a period that exceeds 24 hours, the client may become dehydrated and/or malnourished. Although the remaining options may be components of the assessment, the correct option is the priority.
The nurse performs an Allen's test before blood is drawn from the radial artery for an arterial blood gas (ABG) assessment. This intervention is done to determine the collateral circulatory adequacy of which arterial vessel?
- A. Ulnar
- B. Carotid
- C. Brachial
- D. Femoral
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Before radial puncture for obtaining an arterial specimen for ABGs, Allen's test is performed to determine adequate ulnar circulation. Failure to assess collateral circulation could result in severe ischemic injury to the hand if damage to the radial artery occurs with arterial puncture. Allen's test does not determine the adequacy of carotid, brachial, or femoral circulation.
The nurse prepares to administer a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion through a peripheral IV to a dehydrated client. Which priority assessment should the nurse obtain before initiating the IV infusion?
- A. Daily body weight
- B. Serum electrolytes
- C. Intake and output records
- D. Identifying the client's dominant side
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse obtains the client's baseline body weight as a priority before beginning the IV infusion because body weight is a sensitive and specific indicator of fluid volume status when body weights are compared on a daily basis. This means that as a client receives or accumulates fluid, body weight quickly and proportionately increases and vice versa. The remaining options may also be reasonable assessments to complete before initiating an IV infusion. However, intake, output, and serum electrolytes are potentially affected by more confounding factors; thus, they are less specific and sensitive to fluctuations in body fluid. Determining the client's dominant side assists in deciding a site for inserting the initial IV catheter, but it provides no information about fluid volume status.
A pregnant client diagnosed with diabetes mellitus arrives at the primary health care clinic for a follow-up visit. What best assessment should the nurse perform to assess insulin function?
- A. Urine for specific gravity
- B. For the presence of edema
- C. Urine for glucose and ketones
- D. Blood pressure, pulse, and respirations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a pregnant client with diabetes mellitus, assessing insulin function is critical to ensure glycemic control and prevent complications. Testing urine for glucose and ketones is the best assessment, as it directly indicates whether insulin is effectively managing blood glucose levels (glucose in urine suggests hyperglycemia) and whether the client is at risk for ketoacidosis (ketones indicate fat metabolism due to insufficient insulin). Urine specific gravity reflects hydration status, not insulin function. Edema assessment is relevant for preeclampsia or fluid overload, not insulin function. Vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and respirations provide general health information but are not specific to insulin function.