The nurse is performing an assessment on a postterm infant. Which physical characteristic should the nurse expect to observe in this infant?
- A. Peeling of the skin
- B. Smooth soles without creases
- C. Lanugo covering the entire body
- D. Vernix that covers the body in a thick layer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The postterm infant (born after the 42nd week of gestation) exhibits dry, peeling, cracked, almost leather-like skin over the body, which is called desquamation. The preterm infant (born between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation) exhibits smooth soles without creases, lanugo covering the entire body, and thick vernix covering the body.
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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.
Twelve hours after delivery, the nurse assesses the client for uterine involution. The nurse determines that the uterus is progressing normally toward its prepregnancy state when palpation of the client's fundus is at which level?
- A. At the umbilicus
- B. One finger breadth below the umbilicus
- C. Two finger breadths below the umbilicus
- D. Midway between the umbilicus and the symphysis pubis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The term 'involution' is used to describe the rapid reduction in size and the return of the uterus to a normal condition similar to its nonpregnant state. Immediately after the delivery of the placenta, the uterus contracts to the size of a large grapefruit. The fundus is situated in the midline between the symphysis pubis and the umbilicus. Within 6 to 12 hours after birth, the fundus of the uterus rises to the level of the umbilicus. The top of the fundus remains at the level of the umbilicus for about a day and then descends into the pelvis approximately one finger breadth on each succeeding day.
The nurse is ambulating a client for the first time after having abdominal surgery. What clinical manifestations should indicate to the nurse that the client may be experiencing orthostatic hypotension? Select all that apply.
- A. Nausea
- B. Dizziness
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Lightheadedness
- E. Flushing of the face
- F. Reports of seeing spots
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs when a normotensive person develops symptoms of low blood pressure when rising to an upright position. Whenever the nurse gets a client up and out of a bed or chair, there is a risk for orthostatic hypotension. Symptoms of nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, tachycardia, pallor, and reports of seeing spots are characteristic of orthostatic hypotension. A drop of approximately 15 mm Hg in the systolic blood pressure and 10 mm Hg in the diastolic blood pressure also occurs. Fainting can result without intervention, which includes immediately assisting the client to a lying position.
The nurse is applying electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes to a diaphoretic client. Which intervention should the nurse take to keep the electrodes securely in place?
- A. Secure the electrodes with adhesive tape.
- B. Place clear, transparent dressings over the electrodes.
- C. Apply lanolin to the skin before applying the electrodes.
- D. Cleanse the skin with alcohol before applying the electrodes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol defats the skin and helps the electrodes adhere to the skin. Placing adhesive tape or a clear dressing over the electrodes will not help the adhesive gel of the actual electrode make better contact with the diaphoretic skin. Lanolin or any other lotion makes the skin slippery and prevents good initial adherence.