Which of the ff actions should the nurse perform to monitor for electrolyte imbalances and dehydration in a client with a neurologic deficit?
- A. Measure intake and output
- B. Perform the mini-mental status
- C. Use the Glasgow Coma scale examination
- D. Assess vital signs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Measure intake and output. Monitoring intake and output is crucial in assessing electrolyte imbalances and dehydration in clients with neurologic deficits. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to neurological complications, so accurate monitoring is essential. Mini-mental status and Glasgow Coma scale are assessments of mental status, not electrolyte balance. Vital signs can provide some information, but intake and output measurement is more specific for assessing electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.
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Which scenario best illustrates the nurse using data validation when making a nursing clinical decision for a patient? The nurse determines to remove a wound dressing when the patient reveals the time
- A. of the last dressing change and notices old and new drainage. The nurse administers pain medicine due at 1700 at 1600 because the patient reports
- B. increased pain and the family wants something done. The nurse immediately asks the health care provider for an order of potassium when a
- C. patient reports leg cramps.
- D. The nurse elevates a leg cast when the patient reports decreased mobility.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the nurse is using data validation by comparing the time of the last dressing change with the appearance of old and new drainage. This process ensures that the decision to remove the wound dressing is based on accurate and relevant information. By assessing both the time of the last dressing change and the characteristics of the drainage, the nurse is validating the need for the intervention.
Option B is incorrect because administering pain medicine based solely on a patient's report of increased pain without further validation does not demonstrate data validation. Option C is incorrect as the nurse immediately requesting an order of potassium without further assessment of the patient's condition is not an example of data validation. Option D is incorrect as elevating a leg cast based solely on a patient's report of decreased mobility without further assessment does not involve data validation.
A client with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disorder, is admitted to an acute care facility. Concerned about hemorrhage, the nurse monitors the client’s platelet count and observes closely for signs and symptoms of bleeding. The client is at greatest risk for cerebral hemorrhage when the platelet count falls below:
- A. 135,000/ul
- B. 20,000/ul
- C. 75,000/ul
- D. 500/ul
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 20,000/ul. A platelet count below 20,000/ul puts the client at the highest risk for cerebral hemorrhage due to severe thrombocytopenia. Platelets are essential for blood clotting, and a low count increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding, especially in critical organs like the brain. Choices A, C, and D have platelet counts that are higher than the critical level of 20,000/ul, so they do not pose as high a risk for cerebral hemorrhage. Option D, 500/ul, is extremely low and would likely lead to severe bleeding, but the critical threshold for cerebral hemorrhage is considered to be around 20,000/ul.
After being in remission from Hodgkin’s disease for 18 months, a client develops a fever of unknown origin. The physician orders a blind liver biopsy to rule out advancing Hodgkin’sdisease and infection. Twenty-four hours after the biopsy, the client has a fever, complains of severe abdominal pain, and seems increasingly confused. The nurse suspects that these finding result from:
- A. Bleeding in the liver caused by the liver biopsy.
- B. Perforation of the colon caused by the liver biopsy.
- C. An allergic reaction to the contrast media used during liver biopsy.
- D. Normal post procedural pain, with a change in the level of consciousness resulting from the preexisting fever.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perforation of the colon caused by the liver biopsy. The symptoms of fever, severe abdominal pain, and confusion are indicative of peritonitis, which can result from a bowel perforation during the liver biopsy procedure. Perforation of the colon can lead to leakage of bowel contents into the peritoneal cavity, causing inflammation, infection, and systemic symptoms. This is a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention.
Incorrect options:
A: Bleeding in the liver caused by the liver biopsy would present with symptoms such as hypotension and signs of internal bleeding, not confusion and severe abdominal pain.
C: An allergic reaction to contrast media would typically present with symptoms such as rash, itching, or respiratory distress, not fever, severe abdominal pain, and confusion.
D: Normal post procedural pain would not cause confusion and a change in the level of consciousness, which indicates a more serious underlying issue like bowel perforation.
Which of the following BP changes alerts the nurse to increasing ICP, and should be reported immediately?
- A. Gradual increase
- B. Widening pulse pressure
- C. Rapid drop followed by gradual increase
- D. Rapid fluctuations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Widening pulse pressure. This indicates increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) as it signifies a significant difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A widening pulse pressure is a key sign of impending herniation and requires immediate intervention.
A: Gradual increase does not provide a clear indication of acute changes in ICP.
C: Rapid drop followed by gradual increase may suggest other conditions and is not specific to increasing ICP.
D: Rapid fluctuations may occur in various scenarios and do not specifically point to increasing ICP.
In summary, a widening pulse pressure is the most critical and specific indicator of increasing ICP among the choices provided.
Which iron-rich foods should the nurse encourage an anemic client requiring iron therapy to eat?
- A. Shrimp and tomatoes
- B. Cheese and bananas
- C. Lobster and squash
- D. Lamb and peaches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shrimp and tomatoes. Shrimp is a good source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron found in plant-based foods. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, which helps enhance iron absorption. Cheese, bananas, lobster, squash, lamb, and peaches do not provide significant amounts of iron essential for an anemic client. The combination of shrimp and tomatoes offers a balanced approach to increase iron levels effectively.