The nurse is preparing to assess the respirations of several newborns in the nursery. The nurse performs the procedure and determines that the respiratory rate is normal if which finding is noted?
- A. A respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute in a crying newborn
- B. A respiratory rate of 46 breaths per minute in an awake newborn
- C. A respiratory rate of 60 breaths per minute in a sleeping newborn
- D. A respiratory rate of 76 breaths per minute in a newly delivered newborn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate varies from 30 to 50 breaths per minute when the infant is not crying. Respirations should be counted for 1 full minute to ensure an accurate measurement because the newborn infant may be a periodic breather. Observing and palpating respirations while the infant is quiet promotes accurate assessment.
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A client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of cirrhosis demonstrates massive ascites causing dyspnea. The nurse performs which intervention as a priority measure to assist the client with this complication?
- A. Repositions side to side every 2 hours
- B. Elevates the head of the bed 60 degrees
- C. Auscultates the lung fields every 4 hours
- D. Encourages deep breathing exercises every 2 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client is having difficulty breathing because of upward pressure on the diaphragm from the ascitic fluid in the abdomen. Elevating the head of the bed enlists the aid of gravity in relieving pressure on the diaphragm. The other options are general measures in the care of a client with ascites, but the priority measure is the one that relieves diaphragmatic pressure thus assisting effective respirations.
What action should the nurse take to assess the pharyngeal reflex on a child?
- A. Ask the client to swallow.
- B. Pull down on the lower eyelid.
- C. Shine a light toward the bridge of the nose.
- D. Stimulate the back of the throat with a tongue depressor.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pharyngeal (gag) reflex is tested by touching the back of the throat with an object, such as a tongue depressor. A positive response to this reflex is considered normal. Asking the client to swallow assesses the swallowing reflex. To assess the palpebral conjunctiva, the nurse would pull down and evert the lower eyelid. The corneal light reflex is tested by shining a penlight toward the bridge of the nose at a distance of 12 to 15 inches (light reflection should be symmetrical in both corneas).
A client with a spinal cord injury is at risk of developing footdrop. What intervention should the nurse use as a preventive measure?
- A. Mole skin-lined heel protectors
- B. Regular use of posterior splints
- C. Application of pneumatic boots
- D. Avoiding dorsal flexion of the foot
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The effective means of preventing footdrop (plantar flexion) is the use of posterior splints or high-top sneakers. Dorsal flexing of the foot would help to counteract the effects of footdrop. Heel protectors protect the skin but do not prevent footdrop. Pneumatic boots prevent deep vein thrombosis but not footdrop.
The nurse monitoring a postoperative client should recognize which behaviors as indicators that the client is in pain? Select all that apply.
- A. Gasping
- B. Lip biting
- C. Muscle tension
- D. Pacing activities
- E. Staring out the window
- F. Asking for the television to be turned off
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: The nurse should assess verbalization, vocal response, facial and body movements, and social interaction as indicators of pain. Behavioral indicators of pain include gasping, lip biting (facial expressions), muscle tension, pacing activities, moaning, crying, grunting (vocalizations), grimacing, clenching teeth, wrinkling the forehead, tightly closing or widely opening the eyes or mouth, restlessness, immobilization, increased hand and finger movements, rhythmic or rubbing motions, protective movements of body parts (body movement), avoidance of conversation, focusing only on activities for pain relief, avoiding social contacts and interactions, and reduced attention span. Options 5 and 6 are not to be assumed as pain-related behaviors because there can be a variety of reasons for such actions.
A client is receiving cisplatin. On assessment of the client, which findings indicate that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. Tinnitus
- B. Increased appetite
- C. Excessive urination
- D. Yellow halos in front of the eyes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cisplatin is an antineoplastic medication. An adverse effect related to the administration of cisplatin is ototoxicity with hearing loss. The nurse should assess for this adverse reaction when administering this medication. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not adverse effects of this medication.
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