Which important parameter should the nurse assess on a daily basis for a client diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome?
- A. Weight
- B. Albumin levels
- C. Activity tolerance
- D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client with nephrotic syndrome typically presents with edema, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. The nurse carefully assesses the fluid balance of the client, which includes daily monitoring of weight, intake and output, edema, and girth measurements. Albumin levels are monitored as they are prescribed, as are the BUN and creatinine levels. The client's activity level is adjusted according to the amount of edema and water retention.
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The nurse performs the Glasgow Coma Scale while assessing a client with a brainstem injury. Which additional interventions should the nurse be prepared to implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Assisting with arterial blood gases
- B. Assisting with a lumbar puncture
- C. Assessing cranial nerve functioning
- D. Assessing respiratory rate and rhythm
- E. Assessing pulmonary wedge pressure
- F. Assessing cognitive abilities, including memory
Correct Answer: C,D
Rationale: Assessment should be specific to the area of the brain involved. Assessing the respiratory status and cranial nerve function is a critical component of the assessment process in a client with a brainstem injury because the respiratory center is located in the brainstem. Options 1, 2, 5, and 6 are not necessary based on the data in the question.
A client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through a subclavian catheter suddenly develops dyspnea, tachycardia, cyanosis, and decreased level of consciousness. Based on these findings, which is the best intervention for the nurse to implement for the client?
- A. Obtain a stat oxygen saturation level.
- B. Examine the insertion site for redness.
- C. Perform a stat finger-stick glucose level.
- D. Turn the client to the left side in Trendelenburg's position.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clinical indicators of air embolism include chest pain, tachycardia, dyspnea, anxiety, feelings of impending doom, cyanosis, and hypotension. Positioning the client in Trendelenburg's and on the left side helps isolate the air embolism in the right atrium and prevents a thromboembolic event in a vital organ.
During the postoperative period, the client who underwent a pelvic exenteration reports pain in the calf area. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Ask the client to walk and observe the gait.
- B. Lightly massage the calf area to relieve the pain.
- C. Check the calf area for temperature, color, and size.
- D. Administer PRN morphine sulfate as prescribed for postoperative pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse monitors the postoperative client for complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and wound infection. Pain in the calf area could indicate a deep vein thrombosis. Change in color, temperature, or size of the client's calf could also indicate this complication. Options 1 and 2 could result in an embolus if in fact the client had a deep vein thrombosis. Administering pain medication for this client is not the appropriate nursing action since further assessment needs to take place.
Which piece of equipment will the nurse routinely use to assess the fetal heart rate of a woman at 16 weeks' gestation?
- A. Fetal heart monitor
- B. An adult stethoscope
- C. Bell of a stethoscope
- D. Ultrasound fetoscope
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Toward the end of the first trimester, the fetal heart tones can be heard with an ultrasound fetoscope. Options 2 and 3 are not designed to adequately assess the fetal heart rate. A fetal heart monitor is used during labor or in other situations when the fetal heart rate needs continuous monitoring.
The nurse is measuring the fundal height on a client who is 36 weeks' gestation when the client reports feeling lightheaded. What finding should the nurse expect to note when assessing the client?
- A. Fear
- B. Anemia
- C. A full bladder
- D. Compression of the vena cava
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the uterus may cause supine hypotension syndrome (vena cava syndrome) late in pregnancy. Having the client turn onto her left side or elevating the left buttock during fundal height measurement will prevent the problem. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to this syndrome.