Nokea
The student nurse completes a clinical rotation in the emergency department. The instructor knows the student is able to prioritize care appropriately when the student visits which client first?
- A. 9 year-old crying with pain and swelling of the left ankle after a popping sound while playing soccer
- B. 29-year-old with neck swelling and increased pain 2 days after thyroidectomy
- C. 43-year-old with blood glucose of 423 mg/dL (23.5 mmol/L), dehydration, and trace ketones in urine
- D. 72-year-old who is incontinent with acute altered mental status and is yelling at staff
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neck swelling and pain post-thyroidectomy suggest possible hematoma or airway compromise, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assessment. Other conditions, while serious, are less immediately critical.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia is given a prescription of carbamazepine by the health care provider. Which intervention does the nurse anticipate in this client's care plan?
- A. Encourage client to drink cold beverages
- B. Encourage client to eat a high-fiber diet
- C. Encourage client to perform facial massage
- D. Encourage client to report any fever or sore throat
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause agranulocytosis or infections; fever or sore throat must be reported. Cold beverages may trigger trigeminal neuralgia pain. High-fiber diets and facial massage are unrelated to management.
The nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus who is reporting abdominal pain and weakness. The client has a fruity odor to the breath and rapid, deep respirations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.
- A. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag
- B. Check the client's capillary blood glucose level.
- C. Place the client on a continuous cardiac monitor.
- D. Prepare the client for an IV infusion of regular insulin.
- E. Gather supplies for an IV bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E
Rationale: Symptoms suggest diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Checking glucose confirms hyperglycemia, cardiac monitoring detects arrhythmias from electrolyte imbalances, IV insulin corrects hyperglycemia, and saline bolus addresses dehydration. Breathing into a paper bag is for hyperventilation from anxiety, not DKA.
A 6-month-old infant is being seen in the doctor's office. Which observation by the nurse should be brought to the physician's attention?
- A. The baby sits up but needs slight support.
- B. The baby was 7 lb at birth and now weighs 10 lb.
- C. The baby frequently drops objects and looks for them.
- D. The baby smacks her lips and drools.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A 6-month-old should double birth weight (14 lb expected for 7 lb); 10 lb suggests poor growth, requiring evaluation. Other findings are developmentally normal.
A client returns from surgery after having a suprapubic prostatectomy. Upon assessing the client, the nurse notes that his urine is bright red with many clots. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?
- A. Check the client's vital signs and notify the physician.
- B. Check whether the continuous irrigation is working properly.
- C. Recognize that this is a normal finding after surgery and continue post-op care.
- D. Apply traction on the catheter and notify the physician.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bright red urine with clots suggests a need to check the continuous bladder irrigation system to ensure it is functioning to prevent clot obstruction.
A woman who comes in for prenatal care has a history of herpes with outbreaks that occur every six months to a year. She asks if this means she will have a cesarean delivery. How should the nurse respond?
- A. If you have active lesions when you go into labor, you will need a cesarean section.'
- B. Cesarean delivery is the only way to protect your baby from herpes.'
- C. Cesarean delivery is no longer recommended for persons with herpes.'
- D. Your obstetrician will decide at the time of delivery which is best for you.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Active herpes lesions at labor necessitate a cesarean to prevent neonatal herpes transmission; otherwise, vaginal delivery may be possible.