Which action by the nurse will be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage?
- A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
- B. Limit caloric and protein intake.
- C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
- D. Assess for pain during a bath.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most important action for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage is to assess for pain during a bath. Assessing pain during a bath helps in evaluating sensory nerve function by checking for touch, pain, heat, cold, and pressure. This assessment is crucial in identifying areas of potential skin breakdown and implementing preventive measures. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter (Choice A) is not directly related to preventing skin impairment in this context. Limiting caloric and protein intake (Choice B) is not pertinent to skin impairment prevention for a mobile patient with local nerve damage. While turning the patient every 2 hours (Choice C) is a good practice for preventing pressure ulcers, in this case, assessing for pain during a bath is more directly related to preventing skin impairment associated with nerve damage.
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A client with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) is being treated. Which laboratory value would be most concerning?
- A. Troponin level of 0.5 ng/mL
- B. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) of 5.0 ng/mL
- C. Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L
- D. Blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A troponin level of 0.5 ng/mL is elevated, indicating myocardial damage, making it the most concerning finding in a client with a myocardial infarction (MI). Troponin is a highly specific marker for cardiac muscle damage, and elevated levels suggest ongoing injury to the heart muscle. While Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) is also a cardiac enzyme, troponin is more specific and sensitive for myocardial damage. Serum potassium and blood glucose levels are important parameters to monitor in MI patients, but in this scenario, the elevated troponin level takes precedence as it directly reflects cardiac injury.
A client with pneumonia is receiving antibiotic therapy. Which finding indicates that the treatment is effective?
- A. Decreased white blood cell count
- B. Decreased respiratory rate
- C. Increased breath sounds
- D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased breath sounds. When a client with pneumonia is receiving antibiotic therapy, increased breath sounds indicate that the lungs are clearing and the pneumonia is resolving. This improvement in breath sounds suggests that the antibiotics are effectively treating the infection. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a decreased white blood cell count, decreased respiratory rate, and increased heart rate are not specific indicators of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in treating pneumonia. While these parameters may change in response to treatment, they do not directly reflect the resolution of the pneumonia infection.
A client asks about the purpose of advance directives. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
- A. They allow the court to overrule an adult client's refusal of medical treatment.
- B. They indicate the form of treatment a client is willing to accept in the event of a serious illness.
- C. They permit a client to withhold medical information from health care personnel.
- D. They allow health care personnel in the emergency department to stabilize a client's condition.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Advance directives specify the type of medical treatment a client wishes to receive or avoid in the event of a serious illness. Choice A is incorrect because advance directives do not allow the court to overrule a client's refusal of medical treatment; they empower the client to make their own healthcare decisions. Choice C is incorrect because advance directives do not permit a client to withhold medical information; they provide guidance on the client's treatment preferences. Choice D is incorrect because advance directives do not specifically address the actions of health care personnel in the emergency department; they focus on the client's treatment preferences in general.
A client is still experiencing mild back pain after receiving analgesia 1 hour ago. Which of the following nonpharmacological pain management techniques should the nurse include in the plan?
- A. Encourage the client to apply a heating pad for 2 hours at a time
- B. Apply an ice pack to the client's back for 1 hour
- C. Remove distractions from the client's room
- D. Instruct the client to take deep, rhythmic breaths
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should instruct the client to take deep, rhythmic breaths as a nonpharmacological pain management technique. Deep, rhythmic breathing helps with relaxation and pain management, potentially reducing the perception of pain. Encouraging the client to apply a heating pad for 2 hours at a time (Choice A) is not recommended as prolonged heat application can lead to tissue damage and is not suitable for mild back pain. Applying an ice pack for 1 hour (Choice B) may not be appropriate for mild back pain as cold therapy is more commonly used for acute injuries. Removing distractions from the client's room (Choice C) may help create a more calming environment, but it does not directly address the client's pain.
A nurse is counseling a young adult who describes having difficulty dealing with several issues. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as the priority to assess further?
- A. "I have my own apartment now, but it's not easy living away from my guardians."
- B. "It's been so stressful for me to even think about having my own family."
- C. "I don't even know who I am yet, and now I'm supposed to know what to do."
- D. "My partner is pregnant, and I don't think I have what it takes to be a good parent."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The statement about feeling unprepared to be a good parent indicates a significant concern that may need further assessment and support. This statement raises issues regarding the individual's readiness for parenthood and potential impact on the partner and the unborn child. Choices A, B, and C, while important, do not present immediate concerns regarding the well-being of another individual and do not raise potential risks that could have a direct impact on others.