The nurse should place a client who sustained a head injury in which position to prevent increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
- A. In left Sims' position
- B. In reverse Trendelenburg
- C. With the head elevated on a small, flat pillow
- D. With the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client with a head injury is positioned to avoid extreme flexion or extension of the neck and to maintain the head in the midline, neutral position. The head of the bed is elevated to at least 30 degrees or as recommended by the primary health care provider. The client is log rolled when turned to avoid extreme hip flexion.
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The nurse in the prenatal clinic is monitoring a client who is pregnant with twins. The nurse monitors the client closely for which priority complication that is associated with a twin pregnancy?
- A. Hemorrhoids
- B. Postterm labor
- C. Maternal anemia
- D. Costovertebral angle tenderness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maternal anemia often occurs in twin pregnancies because of a greater demand for iron by the fetuses. Options 1 and 4 occur in a twin pregnancy but would not be as high a priority as anemia. Option 2 is incorrect because twin pregnancies often end in prematurity.
The nurse caring for a child admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of viral pneumonia describes the treatment plan to the parents. The nurse determines the need for further teaching when the parents make which statement regarding the treatment?
- A. We need to be very careful since oxygen is extremely flammable.
- B. It's important that the child isn't allergic to the antibiotic that is prescribed.
- C. It's difficult to watch the needle be inserted when intravenous fluids are needed.
- D. Chest physiotherapy will loosen the congestion, so coughing will clear the lungs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic management for viral pneumonia is supportive. Antibiotics are not given unless the pneumonia is bacterial. More severely ill children may be hospitalized and given oxygen, chest physiotherapy, and intravenous fluids.
The nurse reviews a primary health care provider's prescriptions and notes that a topical nitrate is prescribed. The nurse notes that acetaminophen is prescribed to be administered before the nitrate. The nurse implements the prescription with which understanding about why acetaminophen is prescribed?
- A. Headache is a common side effect of nitrates.
- B. Fever usually accompanies myocardial infarction.
- C. Acetaminophen potentiates the therapeutic effect of nitrates.
- D. Acetaminophen does not interfere with platelet action as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) does.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Headache occurs as a side effect of nitrates in many clients. Acetaminophen may be administered before nitrates to prevent headaches or minimize the discomfort from the headaches.
The nurse is monitoring a client diagnosed with a ruptured appendix for signs of peritonitis. The nurse should assess for which manifestations of this complication? Select all that apply.
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Distended abdomen
- C. Subnormal temperature
- D. Rigid, boardlike abdomen
- E. Diminished bowel sounds
- F. Inability to pass flatus or feces
Correct Answer: B,D,E,F
Rationale: Peritonitis is an acute inflammation of the visceral and parietal peritoneum, the endothelial lining of the abdominal cavity. Clinical manifestations include distended abdomen; a rigid, boardlike abdomen; diminished bowel sounds; inability to pass flatus or feces; abdominal pain (localized, poorly localized, or referred to the shoulder or thorax); anorexia, nausea, and vomiting; rebound tenderness in the abdomen; high fever; tachycardia; dehydration from the high fever; decreased urinary output; hiccups; and possible compromise in respiratory status.
Which nursing assessment question should be asked to help determine the client's risk for developing malignant hyperthermia in the perioperative period?
- A. Have you ever had heat exhaustion or heat stroke?
- B. What is the normal range for your body temperature?
- C. Do you or any of your family members have frequent infections?
- D. Do you or any of your family members have problems with general anesthesia?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic disorder in which a combination of anesthetic agents (the muscle relaxant succinylcholine and inhalation agents such as halothanes) triggers uncontrolled skeletal muscle contractions that can quickly lead to a potentially fatal hyperthermia. Questioning the client about the family history of general anesthesia problems may reveal this as a risk for the client. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to this surgical complication.