The nurse receives the following prescriptions. Which 3 acti...

The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old client who was brought to the emergency department after
becoming short of breath at school.
History and Physical
General
Well-nourished child; currently sitting in the tripod position; patches of dry, scaly, reddened skin are present in the creases of bilateral elbows and behind both knees; client reports that these areas itch

Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time

Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client reports no nasal congestion

Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 34, SpO 92% on room air, airway patent, intercostal retractions noted during inspiration; expiratory wheezes auscultated bilaterally; dry, spasmodic cough is noted; no stridor; difficulty speaking in complete sentences

Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 110, BP 94/60; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; nom murmurs noted; peripheral pulses 2+; capillary refill 3 seconds; no edema

Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft; bowel sounds normal

Psychosocial
Client appears anxious and is crying, client speaks in short phrases, stating, "left my medicine at a friend's house" and "feels like I can't breathe"; client cannot remember the name of the prescribed home medication; client's parents were notified and are en route to hospital

Progress Notes
0910:
Client's parents were spoken to over the phone. Last evening, the client spent the night at a friend's housewhere some family members smoke cigarettes and have a pet cat that lives in the home.

Medical history:
No accidents or injuries were reported, vaccinations are up to date, mild persistent asthma was diagnosed at age 7, and client has atopic dermatitis.

Allergies: No known allergies.

Family history:
Client is an only child. Parents report having no known medical conditions. Paternal grandfather died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and maternal grandmother has heart disease.

Social history:
Client lives with parents; they do not smoke cigarettes. There are no pets in the client's home.

Current medications:
Beclomethasone inhaler 2 puffs twice a day, albuterol (salbutamol) inhaler 2 puffs
every 4 hours as needed for quick relief of symptoms.

The nurse receives the following prescriptions. Which 3 actions should the nurse prioritize?

A. Administer albuterol (salbutamol) with ipratropium bromide via nebulizer
B. Administer initial dose of PO prednisone once
C. Initiate maintenance IV fluids
D. Initiate NPO status except oral medication
E. Titrate oxygen to achieve an oxygen saturation of >95%

Correct Answer: A,B,E

Rationale: A: Nebulized albuterol and ipratropium are first-line treatments for acute asthma exacerbation to relieve bronchospasm. B: Prednisone reduces inflammation and prevents worsening. E: Titrating oxygen to >95% corrects hypoxia, a critical concern with SpO2 at 92%.

The nurse is caring for a 25-year-old female client.
History and Physical
Body System
General
Client reports jitteriness, anxiety, and palpitations for the past 2 months. Fine hand tremor is noted. Client reports insomnia for approximately 1 week.
Integumentary
Client is diaphoretic.
Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Exophthalmos is noted. Goiter is present.
Gastrointestinal
Client reports 10 lb (4.5 kg) weight loss over the past month. Bowel sounds are normoactive. Client reports diarrhea for the past few days.
Reproductive
Last menstrual period was 3 months ago.
Vital Signs
T 99.2 F (37.3 C)
P 164
RR 22
BP 156/92
Nurses' Notes
Outpatient Clinic
0930:
Client received radioactive iodine therapy 6 months ago. Client reports absence of heart palpitations and anxiety. No evidence of fine hand tremor.
Client reports weight gain of 10.5 lbs (4.8 kg) within the past 3 months. Client reports feeling more fatigued during the day and requests to speak to the health care provider about feeling depressed.

Following a routine laboratory draw, the nurse suspects that the client is experiencing primary hypothyroidism as evidenced by........... and ........

A. Increased TSH
B. Decreased TSH
C. Increased T3 and T4 levels
D. Decreased T3 and T4 levels

Correct Answer: A,D

Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism is characterized by increased TSH due to the pituitary gland's attempt to stimulate the thyroid and decreased T3 and T4 levels due to reduced thyroid hormone production.

For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Each finding may support more than one disease process. Note: Each column must have at least one response option selected.

A. Weight gain
B. Tachycardia
C. Constipation
D. Exophthalmos
E. Heat intolerance
F. Fine hand tremor

Correct Answer: A: Hypothyroidism, B: Hyperthyroidism, C: Hypothyroidism, D: Hyperthyroidism, E: Hyperthyroidism, F: Hyperthyroidism

Rationale: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increased metabolic rate, leading to tachycardia, exophthalmos, heat intolerance, and fine hand tremor. Hypothyroidism, with a decreased metabolic rate, is associated with weight gain and constipation.

The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
Progress Notes
Emergency Department
0900: The client is brought to the emergency department by a family member after being found confused and lethargic. On arrival, the client is obtunded and does not respond to verbal stimuli.
Medical history includes major depressive disorder and chronic neck and back pain after a motor vehicle collision 2 years ago. The family member states that the client takes multiple medications but does not know which kind. The client was divorced a few months ago.
Physical examination shows 1-mm pupils, shallow breathing, and reduced bowel sounds. Fingerstick blood glucose is 78 mg/dL (4.3 mmol/L). ECG reveals normal sinus rhythm. Breath alcohol test is negative.
Vital signs: T 98.1 F (36.7 C), P 62, RR 8, BP 80/40, SpO, 94% on room air.

The nurse should prioritize administration of........... to...........

A. Thiamine
B. Naloxone
C. Oral activated charcoal
D. Prevent respiratory failure

Correct Answer: B,D

Rationale: B to D: Naloxone reverses opioid intoxication to prevent respiratory failure. The client's obtundation, shallow breathing, and pinpoint pupils indicate opioid overdose, requiring urgent reversal to restore breathing. Thiamine is for alcohol-related conditions, and charcoal is for recent ingestions, not specified here.

The nurse is caring for an 84-year-old client with dementia.
Nurses' Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
Day 1: The left antecubital peripheral IV insertion site has no erythema or edema, and the catheter flushes easily. The dressing is clean, dry, and intact. Potassium chloride infusion is initiated.
Day 3: Potassium chloride is infusing. The area surrounding the IV site is taut, edematous, blanched, and cool to the touch. Small, fluid-filled vesicles are noted around the IV site. Capillary refill distal to the IV site is >3 seconds. The client is grimacing and unable to verbally report pain.

For each potential intervention, click to specify if the potential intervention is appropriate or not appropriate for the care of client.

A. Elevate the affected extremity
B. Apply pressure to the affected area
C. Discontinue the potassium chloride infusion
D. Aspirate the potassium chloride from the IV catheter
E. Leave the IV catheter in place for potential antidote administration

Correct Answer: A: Appropriate, B: Not Appropriate, C: Appropriate, D: Not Appropriate, E: Appropriate

Rationale: The symptoms suggest IV infiltration with potassium chloride, which is caustic. Elevating the extremity (A) reduces swelling. Discontinuing the infusion (C) prevents further damage. Leaving the catheter in place (E) allows for potential antidote administration. Applying pressure (B) may worsen tissue damage, and aspirating (D) is not standard for infiltration.

The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit.
History and Physical
General
The client is vomiting bright red blood; medical history includes alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension; the client was admitted a year ago for alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis

Neurological
The client is oriented to person and place; the pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation

Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Yellow scleras are noted

Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18, SpO 94% on room air

Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, BP 90/40; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses are 2+ in all extremities; 1+ edema is noted at the bilateral lower extremities

Gastrointestinal
The abdomen is distended and nontender to palpation; the flanks are dull to percussion; bowel sounds are hypoactive; distended veins are present around the umbilicus

Genitourinary
Client is voiding amber-colored urine

Which of the following findings require immediate follow-up? Select all that apply.

A. Amber-colored urine
B. Distended abdomen
C. Low blood pressure
D. Lower extremity edema
E. Vomiting blood
F. Yellow scleras

Correct Answer: B,C,E

Rationale: B: Distended abdomen suggests ascites, common in cirrhosis, requiring urgent evaluation. C: Hypotension (90/40) indicates potential shock, especially with bleeding. E: Vomiting blood (hematemesis) is a medical emergency in cirrhosis, suggesting variceal bleeding. A is normal, D is less urgent, and F indicates jaundice but is not immediately life-threatening.