The nurse is performing an assessment on a client with acute pancreatitis who was admitted to the hospital. Which of the following assessment questions most specifically would elicit information regarding the pain that is associated with acute pancreatitis?
- A. Does the pain in your abdomen radiate to your groin.
- B. Does the pain in your stomach radiate to the back?
- C. Does the pain in your stomach radiate to your lower middle abdomen?
- D. Does the pain in your lower abdomen radiate to the hip?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Does the pain in your stomach radiate to the back?" This question is specific to acute pancreatitis as the pain typically radiates from the epigastric area to the back. Pancreatitis pain often presents as severe, constant, and radiating to the back due to the inflammation of the pancreas affecting surrounding structures.
Choice A is incorrect as the pain in acute pancreatitis typically radiates to the back, not the groin. Choice C is incorrect as it specifies a different area in the abdomen, not the typical location for pancreatitis pain. Choice D is incorrect as pancreatitis pain does not typically radiate to the hip.
In summary, understanding the characteristic radiation of pain in acute pancreatitis is key to assessing and differentiating it from other abdominal conditions.
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A nurse is developing a teaching plan for the client with viral hepatitis. The nurse plans to tell the client which of the following in the teaching session?
- A. Activity should be limited to prevent fatigue
- B. The diet should be low in calories
- C. Meals should be large to conserve energy
- D. Alcohol intake should be limited to 2 oz. per day.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. For a client with viral hepatitis, limiting activity helps prevent fatigue and aids in recovery. Excessive activity can worsen symptoms. Choice B is incorrect because a low-calorie diet may not provide enough nutrients for the body to fight the infection. Choice C is incorrect as large meals can strain the liver and worsen symptoms. Choice D is incorrect as any alcohol intake can further damage the liver in viral hepatitis. In summary, choice A is correct as it promotes rest and aids recovery, while the other choices can potentially worsen the condition.
A Penrose drain is in place on the first postoperative day following a cholecystectomy. Serosanguineous drainage is noted on the dressing covering the drain. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Notify the physician.
- B. Change the dressing.
- C. Circle the amount on the dressing with a pen.
- D. Continue to monitor the drainage.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Change the dressing. This is the most appropriate intervention because serosanguineous drainage can indicate the need for a dressing change to prevent infection and ensure proper wound healing. Changing the dressing will also allow for better assessment of the drainage and the incision site.
A: Notifying the physician may not be necessary at this stage since serosanguineous drainage is expected in the early postoperative period.
C: Circling the amount on the dressing with a pen does not address the need for a dressing change or further assessment of the drainage.
D: Continuing to monitor the drainage is important, but changing the dressing is the immediate action needed to ensure proper wound care.
The nurse provides discharge instructions to a patient with hepatitis B. Which of the following statements, if made by the patient, would indicate the need for further instruction?
- A. I can never donate blood.
- B. I can never have unprotected sex.
- C. I cannot share needles.
- D. I should avoid drugs and alcohol.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (D): The patient should avoid drugs and alcohol to prevent further damage to the liver affected by hepatitis B. Substance abuse can exacerbate liver disease. This statement indicates understanding of the importance of liver health.
Summary of Other Choices:
A: This statement is correct because individuals with hepatitis B should not donate blood to prevent transmission.
B: This statement is correct because unprotected sex can transmit hepatitis B to sexual partners.
C: This statement is correct because sharing needles can spread hepatitis B through blood-to-blood contact.
A client with a history of gastric ulcer suddenly complains of a sharp-severe pain in the mid epigastric area, which then spreads over the entire abdomen. The client's abdomen is rigid and board-like to palpation, and the client obtains most comfort from lying in the knee-chest position. The nurse calls the physician immediately suspecting that the client is experiencing which of the following complications of peptic ulcer disease?
- A. Perforation
- B. Obstruction
- C. Hemorrhage
- D. Intractability
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Perforation. The sudden onset of sharp-severe pain, rigidity, and board-like abdomen are classic signs of a perforated gastric ulcer. The spreading pain and relief in the knee-chest position indicate free air in the peritoneal cavity. Perforation is a serious complication requiring immediate medical attention to prevent peritonitis and sepsis.
Choice B: Obstruction is incorrect because it typically presents with a gradual onset of pain, bloating, vomiting, and inability to pass stool or gas.
Choice C: Hemorrhage is incorrect as it usually presents with symptoms like hematemesis, melena, and signs of blood loss such as hypotension and tachycardia.
Choice D: Intractability is incorrect because it refers to the condition being difficult to manage or cure, which is not the acute presentation described in the question.
A client with ulcerative colitis is diagnosed with a mild case of the disease. The nurse doing dietary teaching gives the client examples of foods to eat that represent which of the following therapeutic diets?
- A. High-fat with milk
- B. High-protein without milk
- C. Low-roughage without milk
- D. Low-roughage with milk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Low-roughage without milk. In mild cases of ulcerative colitis, a low-roughage diet is recommended to reduce irritation to the colon. Roughage can exacerbate symptoms. Avoiding milk is also common as lactose intolerance may develop. High-fat (A) and high-protein (B) diets can be difficult to digest and may worsen symptoms. Low-roughage with milk (D) is incorrect as milk can irritate the colon in some individuals with ulcerative colitis.