Nurses' Notes
Outpatient Clinic
Initial
visit
The child recently started attending a new preschool and hit a teacher during lunch. The parent says,
"My
child has never been aggressive before but has always been particular about food."
The client was born at full term without complications and has no significant medical history. The child
started babbling at age 6 months, and the parent reports that the first words were spoken around age 12
months. The client then became quiet and "obsessed" with stacking blocks and organizing toys by color.
The child can kick a ball, draw a circle, pedal a tricycle, and now says two-word phrases. Vitals signs are
normal, and the client is tracking adequately on growth curves.
During the evaluation, the child sits in the corner of the room playing with blocks. The client does not follow
the parents gaze when the parent points to toys in the office. The child begins screaming and rocking back
and forth when the health care provider comes near.
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and
Reference Range
1030
Glucose (random)
71-200 mg/dL
(3.9-11.1 mmol/L)
110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L)
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L)|
133 mEq/L (133 mmol/L)|
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L)
4.5 mEq/L (4.5 mmol/L)
B-type natriuretic peptide
<100 pg/mL
(<100 ng/L)
640 pg/mL (640 ng/L)
Diagnostic Results
Chest X-ray
1030:Mild cardiomegaly
Echocardiogram
1100:Mild left ventricular hypertrophy with left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%
The nurse suspects the client is experiencing acute decompensated heart failure. Which of the following findings are consistent with this condition? Select all that apply.
- A. Crackles with auscultation
- B. Decreased capillary oxygen saturation
- C. Elevated b-type natriuretic peptide
- D. Left ventricular ejection fraction 30%
- E. Lower extremity pitting edema
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: The findings all support the diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF):
Crackles with auscultation: Indicative of pulmonary congestion due to fluid overload.
Decreased capillary oxygen saturation: Reflects impaired gas exchange from fluid in the lungs.
Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP): A level of 640 pg/mL is significantly elevated; BNP is released when the ventricles are stretched due to increased fluid volume.
Left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%: Normal is 55–70%. This reduced EF confirms systolic dysfunction, common in ADHF.
Lower extremity pitting edema: A classic sign of volume overload in right-sided or total heart failure.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is performing a home health visit for an 84-year-old male.
History and Physical
Body System, Findings
General,
Client reports a 1-month-long history of fatigue and dyspnea that has worsened; he is unable to lie
flat and sleeps in a chair at night, medical history includes myocardial infarction, chronic heart
failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus; client
was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia 8 months ago; client is adherent with prescribed
medications; client reports frequent consumption of donuts, hamburgers, steak, and fried chicken;
BMI is 34 kg/m?; client reports 6-Ib (2.7-kg) weight gain in 1 week
Neurological,
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
Pulmonary,
Vital signs: RR 24, SpOz 88% on room air; labored breathing, crackles in bilateral lung bases; client
expectorates frothy, pink-tinged sputum; client has a 40-year history of smoking 1 pack of cigarettes
per day
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 98, BP 113/92; S1, S2, and S3 present; 3+ bilateral lower extremity
edema
Genitourinary, Concentrated yellow urine; client reports increased urinary hesitancy and urgency
Psychosocial,
Client reports being lonely and has depressed mental status
Prescriptions
Home Medication Record
Medication, Scheduled
Pravastatin 20 mg PO once daily, 2100
Furosemide 40 mg PO once daily, 0900
Tamsulosin 0.4 mg PO once daily, 0900
Potassium chloride 20 mg PO once daily, 0900
Metformin 1000 mg PO bid, 0900, 2100
Carvedilol 6.25 mg PO bid;hold for systolic blood pressure ≤100 mm Hg and/or HR <65/min, 0900, 2100
Sacubitril 97 mg/valsartan 103 mg PO bid, 0900, 2100
Drag words from the choices below to fill in the blank/blanks.The nurse recognizes that furosemide was effective as evidenced by------------,-----------------, and ------------------
- A. 2+ peripheral edema
- B. Increased urine output
- C. Reduced urinary hesitancy
- D. Reduced cholesterol level
- E. Reduced work of breathing
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) block renal reabsorption of sodium, chloride, and potassium, which increases fluid excretion
in the urine (ie, diuresis). Diuresis decreases intravascular volume, resulting in decreased peripheral edema (eg, from 3+ to
2+). In addition, as fluid volume decreases, pulmonary congestion improves, thereby resulting in improved oxygen exchange
and reduced work of breathing
Nurses Notes
Emergency Department
0900:
The client has new-onset tremors, extreme restlessness, nausea, and anxiety. The client recently had a back
injury and was prescribed tramadol. The client also takes sertraline for major depression. On examination,
the client is flushed and diaphoretic. The client's voice is tremulous. Mild rigidity and tremors are noted in the
lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes are 3+. Pupillary dilation and ocular clonus are present.
Vital Signs
0900
T
100.9 F (38.3 C)
P
125
RR
20
BP
160/100
Sp02
99% on room air
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
0900
TSH
0.3-5 uU/mL
(0.3-5 mU/L)
2 pU/mL
(2 mU/L)
WBC
5000-10,000/mm3
(5.0-10.0 × 10%/L)
7800/mm3
(7.8 × 10%L)
The nurse is caring for a 42-year-old client in the emergency department. The nurse is reviewing the collected client data to assist with preparing the client's plan of care. Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to measure the client's progress.
- A. Administer phenytoin, Discontinue sertraline, Administer methimazole, Administer a benzodiazepine, Prepare to administer radioactive iodine
- B. Panic attack, Hyperthyroidism, Serotonin syndrome, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- C. Clonus, TSH level, WBC count, Temperature, Feelings of impending doom
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome (ie, serotonin toxicity) is a life-threatening condition caused by excess serotonin in the central nervous
system. Tramadol is an analgesic medication with serotonergic activity that can lead to serotonin syndrome when taken with a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (eg, sertraline).
Clinical manifestations include mental status changes (eg, anxiety, restlessness, agitation), autonomic dysregulation (eg,
diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia), and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Treatment involves discontinuing all
serotonergic medications (eg, sertraline, tramadol) and administering a benzodiazepine to improve agitation and
decrease muscle contraction (eg, clonus), which reduces temperature.
The nurse is caring for a 64-year-old client.
History and Physical
Body System, Findings
General ,
The client reports a 24-hour history of blurred vision and redness in the left eye with a left-sided headache.
This evening, the client developed acute, severe pain in the left eye accompanied by occasional nausea and
vomiting. The client reports no use of systemic or topical eye medications. Medical history includes
osteoarthritis and hypercholesterolemia.
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT),
The client wears eyeglasses to correct farsighted vision. Right eye: pupil 2 mm and reactive to light,
conjunctiva clear. Left eye: pupil 4 mm and nonreactive to light with red conjunctiva. Bilateral lens opacity is noted.
Pulmonary,
Vital signs are RR 20 and SpO, 96% on room air. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally.
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 88, and BP 140/82.
Psychosocial,
The client reports a great deal of emotional stress following the recent death of the client's spouse that is accompanied by lack of sleep, poor appetite, and a 7.9-lb (3.6-kg) weight loss within the past month. The client takes diphenhydramine for sleep.
Complete the following sentence by choosing from the lists of options. The nurse suspects that the client's current symptoms are due to -------------------------
and that the client is at increased risk for permanent vision loss due to--------------------------
- A. Cataracts
- B. Infection
- C. Retinal detachment
- D. Corneal ulcer
- E. Angle-closure glaucoma
- F. Optic nerve ischemia
Correct Answer: E,F
Rationale: Acute angle-closure glaucoma results from a significant increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) (>50 mm Hg) due to impaired aqueous
humor drainage. In susceptible individuals (eg, those with a narrow anterior chamber angle), dilation of the pupil causes the iris to press
against the lens, preventing flow of aqueous humor through the pupil. This causes the iris to bulge forward, closing the anterior chamber
angle and blocking drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork. The rise in IOP leads to immediate optic nerve ischem
potentially resulting in permanent vision loss.
The nurse is caring for a 20-year-old client.
Progress Notes
Clinic Visit
For the past week, the client has experienced flu-like symptoms, including low-grade fevers, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and, today,
diarrhea and dark urine. The client reports widespread itching but has no rash. Skin and scleras are jaundiced. No lymphadenopathy
is present, and the abdomen is nondistended with a palpable liver edge. The client returned from an international mission trip a few
weeks ago.
Vital signs are T 99.9 F (37.7 C), P 88, RR 18, BP 128/80, and SpOz 98% on room air.
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range ,Current
Liver Function Tests
Total bilirubin, Increased
Alkaline phosphatase, Increased
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Increased
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ,Increased
Complete the following sentence by choosing from the lists of options. The nurse suspects the client has ----------- and should implement ----------- precautions.
- A. Influenza
- B. Droplet
- C. Contact
- D. Standard
- E. Hepatitis A
Correct Answer: D,E
Rationale: Hepatitis A is an infection that leads to widespread inflammation of the liver. Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route and is commo
in areas with overcrowding and poor sanitation. Outbreaks frequently result from contaminated water or food, and the condition is seen
primarily in resource-limited countries. Symptoms develop abruptly, initially including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fever, and right upper
quadrant pain. A few days later, dark urine (bilirubinuria) and/or pale stools (lacking bilirubin pigment) may be seen. These are usually
followed by jaundice and pruritus. In addition, laboratory results show elevated liver function tests.
Hand hygiene, especially after toileting and before meals, is the most important intervention for reducing the risk of hepatitis A infection.
Therefore, for a client hospitalized with hepatitis A, standard precautions (ie, hand hygiene, disinfection of equipment and surfaces) must be
implemented to prevent transmission. Additional precautions (eg, disposable gown, gloves) should be used as needed (eg, during procedure
Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
1100:
The client has experienced enuresis at night for the past 2 weeks and frequently requests to use the
bathroom while at school. The client was previously toilet trained with no nighttime bed wetting for 6 months;
the client recently relocated to a new home and school where the client lives with parents.
The parent reports that the client has recently demonstrated fatigue, irritability, and multiple behavioral
outbursts that resemble past temper tantrums. The client frequently reports feeling thirsty. No dysuria or
urinary hesitancy is reported.
Weight and height were in the 40th percentiles at the previous visit a year ago. Growth charts today show
the client's weight in the 20th percentile and height in the 40th percentile.
The client appears tired and irritable. Dry mucous membranes are noted with no increased work of
breathing. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. No cardiac murmur is heard.
For each client finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of behavior regression,diabetes mellitus, or urinary tract infection. Each finding may support more than one disease process.
- A. Fatigue
- B. Irritability
- C. Polydipsia
- D. Urinary frequency
- E. Nocturnal enuresis
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Behavior regression is the return to a previous behavior as an act of coping. This may be caused by a stressful event (eg,
new school, parental divorce, relocation). Clinical findings may include withdrawal or the return of previous behaviors that
resemble toddlerhood (eg, temper tantrums [fatigue, irritability], nocturnal enuresis).
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin deficiency (type 1 DM) or resistance (type 2 DM),
which leads to increased blood glucose levels (ie, hyperglycemia) and signs of cellular starvation (eg, fatigue, irritability,
weight loss) from decreased glucose use. Glucose increases the osmolality of blood, which pulls water into the intravascular
space and leads to excessive urination (eg, urinary frequency, nocturnal enuresis). As the kidneys excrete excess glucose,
the body loses water, resulting in hypovolemia and signs of dehydration (eg, increased thirst [polydipsial, dry mucous
membranes).
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys. Common manifestations include
fatigue, fever, painful urination (ie, dysuria), urinary frequency and urgency, and nocturnal enuresis. Irritability may be a
sign of illness in a child who has difficulty verbalizing or understanding the cause of the symptoms. Although increased urinary
frequency is seen (due to bladder irritation), volume is not excessive (unlike osmotic diuresis of DM); therefore, clients are not
dehydrated and would not report polydipsia.
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