The nurse is planning client care. It would be a priority for the nurse to intervene if the client with
- A. osteomyelitis receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics has a temperature of 103.4°F (39.7°C).
- B. viral hepatitis has persistent nausea and vomiting.
- C. septic shock has a mean arterial pressure of 56 mm Hg after a saline bolus.
- D. diverticulitis reports pain 7/10 on the Numerical Rating Scale.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A mean arterial pressure of 56 mm Hg in septic shock (C) indicates severe hypotension and organ hypoperfusion, requiring immediate intervention. High fever in osteomyelitis (A), nausea in hepatitis (B), and pain in diverticulitis (D) are serious but less immediately life-threatening.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the emergency department with suspected rhabdomyolysis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate implementing initially for this client?
- A. Administering intravenous fluids
- B. Monitoring the client’s liver enzymes
- C. Administering corticosteroids
- D. Initiating prophylactic antibiotic therapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intravenous fluids (A) are the initial intervention for rhabdomyolysis to prevent kidney damage by flushing myoglobin and maintaining urine output. Monitoring liver enzymes (B), corticosteroids (C), and antibiotics (D) are not primary interventions for this condition.
The nurse has been made aware of the following client situations. The nurse should first assess the client
- A. with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has an oxygen saturation of 90%.
- B. being treated for hypertension and has a blood pressure of 151/95 mm Hg and complains of a headache.
- C. with a urinary catheter in place who is experiencing fever and chills.
- D. with a chest tube attached to a closed-chest drainage system that reports the onset of dyspnea.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dyspnea with a chest tube (D) suggests complications like tube occlusion or pneumothorax, requiring immediate assessment to ensure airway and breathing stability. COPD saturation (A), hypertension with headache (B), and catheter-related fever (C) are less urgent.
The nurse is discussing advance care planning with a client and emphasizes the importance of a Medical Power of Attorney (POA). The nurse explains that a Medical POA allows the client to do which of the following?
- A. Designate a family member to make financial decisions on their behalf.
- B. Specify funeral arrangements and preferences for end-of-life care.
- C. Appoint a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions in case of incapacity.
- D. Choose the primary physician for ongoing medical care.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Medical Power of Attorney (C) allows the client to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions if incapacitated. Financial decisions (A), funeral arrangements (B), and physician selection (D) are not covered by a medical POA.
The nurse has received the following prescriptions for newly admitted clients. Which prescription should the nurse administer first?
- A. Aspirin to a client experiencing an acute myocardial infarction
- B. Lisinopril to a client with essential hypertension
- C. Risperidone to a client with schizophrenia
- D. Levodopa-carbidopa to a client with Parkinson's disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin for acute myocardial infarction (A) is the priority to reduce thrombus formation and mortality, per ACS guidelines. Lisinopril (B), risperidone (C), and levodopa-carbidopa (D) address chronic conditions and are less urgent.
The nurse is observing practices in the behavioral health unit. Which of the practices should the nurse question?
- A. Opening all client's postal packages prior to giving them to the client.
- B. Reviewing the process of how a client may lodge a formal complaint.
- C. Allowing clients to communicate over the telephone in a private area.
- D. Allowing clients who are involuntarily admitted to refuse prescribed medication(s).
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Allowing involuntarily admitted clients to refuse medications (D) should be questioned, as court-ordered treatment may require compliance. Opening packages (A) ensures safety, complaint processes (B) are standard, and private calls (C) respect privacy.
Nokea