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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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A client admitted to the hospital has been prescribed pyridostigmine. When assessing the client for side effects of the medication, the nurse should ask the client about the presence of which occurrence?
- A. Mouth ulcers
- B. Muscle cramps
- C. Feelings of depression
- D. Unexplained weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pyridostigmine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder. Muscle cramps and small muscle contractions are side effects and occur as a result of overstimulation of neuromuscular receptors. Mouth ulcers, depression, and weight gain are not associated with this medication.
The nurse is encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe after cardiac surgery. The nurse ensures that which item is available to maximize the effectiveness of this procedure?
- A. Nebulizer
- B. Ambu bag
- C. Suction equipment
- D. Incisional splinting pillow
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The use of an incisional splint such as a 'cough pillow' can ease discomfort during coughing and deep breathing. The client who is comfortable will do more effective deep breathing and coughing exercises. Use of an incentive spirometer is also indicated. Options 1, 2, and 3 will not encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
The emergency department nurse is assessing a client who abruptly discontinued benzodiazepine therapy and is experiencing withdrawal. Which manifestations of withdrawal should the nurse expect to note? Select all that apply.
- A. Tremors
- B. Sweating
- C. Lethargy
- D. Agitation
- E. Nervousness
- F. Muscle weakness
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: Benzodiazepines should not be abruptly discontinued because withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur. Withdrawal symptoms include tremor, sweating, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, anorexia, and muscular cramps. Withdrawal symptoms from long-term, high-dose benzodiazepine therapy include paranoia, delirium, panic, hypertension, and status epilepticus. Lethargy is not associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal.
The nurse is caring for a client who had an orthopedic injury of the leg that required surgery and the application of a cast. Postoperatively, which nursing assessment is of highest priority to assure client safety?
- A. Monitoring for heel breakdown
- B. Monitoring for bladder distention
- C. Monitoring for extremity shortening
- D. Monitoring for blanching ability of toe nail beds
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: With cast application, concern for compartment syndrome development is of the highest priority. If postsurgical edema compromises circulation, the client will demonstrate numbness, tingling, loss of blanching of toenail beds, and pain that will not be relieved by opioids. Although heel breakdown, bladder distention, or extremity lengthening or shortening can occur, these complications are not potentially life-threatening complications.
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.