The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with heart failure. Which instruction should be included to prevent fluid overload?
- A. Weigh yourself daily and report a gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours
- B. Increase fluid intake to stay hydrated
- C. Consume a high-sodium diet to retain fluids
- D. Engage in vigorous exercise daily
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Weigh yourself daily and report a gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours.' Daily weight monitoring is crucial for detecting fluid retention early in clients with heart failure. Reporting a gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours can indicate fluid overload, prompting timely intervention. Choice B is incorrect because increasing fluid intake can exacerbate fluid overload in clients with heart failure. Choice C is incorrect as a high-sodium diet can worsen fluid retention. Choice D is incorrect as vigorous exercise can strain the heart and worsen heart failure symptoms.
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A client who is receiving general anesthesia begins to demonstrate symptoms of malignant hyperthermia. Which intervention should the perioperative nurse prepare to implement first?
- A. Ensure patency of an indwelling catheter and measure hourly intake and output.
- B. Prepare for cessation of the anesthesia and the surgical procedure.
- C. Obtain specimens of ABGs and serum electrolytes.
- D. Initiate cooling measures using iced normal saline by nasogastric lavage.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prepare for cessation of the anesthesia and the surgical procedure. Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain medications used during general anesthesia. The immediate intervention to manage malignant hyperthermia is to stop the triggering agents, which include anesthesia and surgery. Ensuring patency of an indwelling catheter and measuring intake and output, obtaining specimens of ABGs and serum electrolytes, and initiating cooling measures are important interventions but should follow the immediate action of stopping the anesthesia and surgery to address the life-threatening condition of malignant hyperthermia.
What is the hallmark sign of intussusception?
- A. Mucus-like stools
- B. Currant jelly-like stools
- C. Tarry, black stools
- D. Green, soft stools
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The hallmark sign of intussusception is currant jelly-like stools, which result from the mixture of blood and mucus in the stool due to the sloughing of intestinal mucosa. Mucus-like stools (Choice A) are not typically associated with intussusception. Tarry, black stools (Choice C) are characteristic of gastrointestinal bleeding higher up in the gastrointestinal tract, such as from a peptic ulcer. Green, soft stools (Choice D) are more indicative of rapid transit through the intestines, possibly due to dietary factors or infections such as gastroenteritis.
What assessment findings should lead the nurse to suspect Down syndrome in a newborn?
- A. Hypertonia and dark skin
- B. Low-set ears and a simian crease
- C. Inner epicanthal folds and a high, domed forehead
- D. Long, thin fingers and excessive hair
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Low-set ears and a simian crease.' These are key physical characteristics commonly seen in newborns with Down syndrome. Low-set ears, along with a simian crease (a single palmar crease), are indicative of Down syndrome. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because hypertonia, dark skin, inner epicanthal folds, a high, domed forehead, long, thin fingers, and excessive hair are not specific features associated with Down syndrome in newborns. Therefore, the presence of low-set ears and a simian crease should raise suspicion for Down syndrome and prompt further evaluation.
The parents of a child who has been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia ask why their child experiences pain. What is the most likely cause of the pain?
- A. Inflammation of the vessels
- B. Obstructed blood flow
- C. Overhydration
- D. Stress-related headaches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Obstructed blood flow. In sickle cell anemia, the sickle-shaped red blood cells can clump together, obstructing blood flow in the vessels. This obstruction leads to tissue hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and necrosis, causing pain. Choice A, inflammation of the vessels, is not the primary cause of pain in sickle cell anemia. Choice C, overhydration, is unrelated to the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia. Choice D, stress-related headaches, is not a characteristic symptom of sickle cell anemia.
The nurse is caring for a client with myasthenia gravis. Which symptom is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Diplopia (double vision)
- B. Difficulty swallowing
- C. Weakness in the legs
- D. Fatigue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a client with myasthenia gravis, difficulty swallowing is the most crucial symptom to report to the healthcare provider. This is because it can lead to aspiration, a severe complication in these clients. Diplopia (double vision) and weakness in the legs are common symptoms of myasthenia gravis but are not as immediately dangerous as difficulty swallowing. Fatigue is also a common symptom in myasthenia gravis but does not pose the same risk of aspiration as difficulty swallowing.