Which client's vital signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) that the nurse should report to the healthcare provider?
- A. P 70, BP 120/60 mmHg; P 100, BP 90/60 mmHg; rapid respirations.
- B. P 55, BP 160/70 mmHg; P 50, BP 194/70 mmHg; irregular respirations.
- C. P 130, BP 190/90 mmHg; P 136, BP 200/100 mmHg; Kussmaul respirations.
- D. P 110, BP 130/70 mmHg; P 100, BP 110/70 mmHg; shallow respirations.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the correct answer. The vital signs presented (P 130, BP 190/90 mmHg; P 136, BP 200/100 mmHg; Kussmaul respirations) indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which can be a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention. Kussmaul respirations are deep and labored breathing patterns associated with metabolic acidosis and can be a late sign of increased ICP. Choices A, B, and D do not demonstrate vital sign patterns consistent with increased ICP. Choice A shows variations in blood pressure and pulse rate but does not provide a clear indication of increased ICP. Choice B displays fluctuations in blood pressure and pulse rate with irregular respirations, but these vital signs do not specifically suggest increased ICP. Choice D presents relatively stable vital signs with shallow respirations, which do not align with the typical vital signs seen in increased ICP.
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In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, if a child has a Gower sign, what behavior should the nurse expect the child to exhibit?
- A. Stands from sitting on the floor by using hands to walk up legs
- B. Exhibits muscular atrophy of upper and lower extremities
- C. Is unable to stand because of contractures of both hips
- D. Walks with an unsteady gait and slaps feet on the floor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Gower sign is a characteristic finding in Duchenne muscular dystrophy where a child uses hands to walk up the legs when standing from a sitting position due to proximal muscle weakness. This behavior is indicative of the child trying to compensate for weak hip and thigh muscles. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not describe the specific behavior associated with the Gower sign. Muscular atrophy, contractures of both hips, and an unsteady gait with foot slapping are not directly related to the Gower sign.
A client with skin grafts covering full-thickness burns on both arms and legs is scheduled for a dressing change. The client is nervous and requests that the dressing change be skipped this time. What action is most important for the nurse to take?
- A. Explain the importance of regular dressing changes
- B. Administer an anti-anxiety medication
- C. Proceed with the scheduled dressing change
- D. Encourage the client to express any anxieties
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this situation, the most important action for the nurse to take is to explain the importance of regular dressing changes to the client. By doing so, the nurse can help the client understand the necessity for wound healing and infection prevention. Administering anti-anxiety medication (Choice B) may not address the root cause of the client's anxiety, which is the lack of understanding. Proceeding with the scheduled dressing change (Choice C) without addressing the client's concerns can worsen their anxiety and decrease trust. Encouraging the client to express any anxieties (Choice D) is important but not as crucial as ensuring the client comprehends the rationale behind the dressing change.
When a UAP reports to the charge nurse that a client has a weak pulse with a rate of 44 beats per minute, what action should the charge nurse implement?
- A. Instruct the UAP to count the client's apical pulse rate for sixty seconds.
- B. Determine if the UAP also measured the client's capillary refill time.
- C. Assign a practical nurse (LPN) to determine if an apical radial pulse deficit is present.
- D. Notify the health care provider of the abnormal pulse rate and pulse volume.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the charge nurse to implement is to notify the health care provider of the abnormal pulse rate and pulse volume. A weak pulse with bradycardia (pulse rate of 44 beats per minute) requires immediate follow-up to investigate potential underlying issues. In this situation, it is crucial to involve the healthcare provider for further assessment and intervention. Instructing the UAP to count the client's apical pulse rate for sixty seconds (Choice A) may delay necessary actions. Determining capillary refill time (Choice B) is not directly related to addressing a weak pulse, and assigning an LPN to assess an apical radial pulse deficit (Choice C) is not as urgent as involving the healthcare provider.
A client with cervical cancer is hospitalized for insertion of a sealed internal cervical radiation implant. While providing care, the nurse finds the radiation implant in the bed. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Call the radiology department
- B. Reinsert the implant into the vagina
- C. Apply double gloves to retrieve the implant for disposal
- D. Place the implant in a lead container using long-handled forceps
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when finding a radiation implant in the bed is to place the implant in a lead container using long-handled forceps. This action is crucial to minimize radiation exposure to both the patient and healthcare providers and ensure the safe disposal of the radioactive material. Calling the radiology department (choice A) may lead to unnecessary delays in addressing the immediate safety concern. Reinserting the implant into the vagina (choice B) is contraindicated and can cause harm. Applying double gloves to retrieve the implant for disposal (choice C) is not adequate for ensuring proper containment and handling of the radioactive implant, which requires specialized equipment like a lead container and long-handled forceps.
What action should the nurse implement for a female client with cancer who has a good appetite but experiences nausea whenever she smells food cooking?
- A. Encourage family members to cook meals outdoors and bring the cooked food inside
- B. Advise the client to replace cooked foods with a variety of different nutritional supplements
- C. Assess the client's mucus membranes and report the findings to the healthcare provider
- D. Instruct the client to take an antiemetic before every meal to prevent excessive vomiting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement is to encourage family members to cook meals outdoors and bring the cooked food inside. This strategy can help reduce the smell of cooking food and potentially alleviate the client's nausea triggered by food smells. Assessing the client's mucus membranes (choice C) is not directly related to the client's symptom of nausea triggered by food smells. Instructing the client to take an antiemetic before every meal (choice D) may not address the root cause of the issue, which is the smell of cooking food. Advising the client to replace cooked foods with nutritional supplements (choice B) does not address the immediate problem of food odors triggering nausea.