The nurse is caring for a 24-year-old client.
Nurses' Notes
Emergency Department
1300:
The client is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision in which the driver's side airbag deployed.
The client was driving the vehicle and was not restrained by a seat belt. The client reports shortness of breath and chest
pain on inspiration and expiration.
History and Physical
Body System ,Findings
Neurological,
Awake, alert, and oriented to person; pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client is
agitated and moves all extremities spontaneously but does not follow commands
Integumentary, Superficial lacerations to the face; diffuse bruising noted on upper extremities and chest wall
Pulmonary,
Vital signs: RR 30, SpOz 92% via nonrebreather mask; unilateral chest wall expansion observed on inspiration;
left-sided tracheal deviation noted; breath sounds diminished throughout the right lung field
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs: P 104, BP 90/58; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; all pulses palpable; no extremity peripheral edema
noted
Psychosocial ,Alcohol odor noted on the client's breath
Which of the following findings are consistent with a tension pneumothorax? Select all that apply.
- A. Diminished breath sounds on one side
- B. Dyspnea
- C. Hypotension
- D. Recent thoracic trauma
- E. Tracheal deviation
- F. Unilateral chest wall expansion
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E,F
Rationale: A pneumothorax is characterized by air inside the pleural space, which disrupts the negative pressure that maintains lung expansion. This
causes the lung to collapse either partially or completely, leading to unilateral, diminished breath sounds; unilateral chest wall
expansion; and dyspnea. A pneumothorax often occurs from blunt thoracic trauma (eg, during a motor vehicle collision). Air can also ent
the pleural space through the chest wall and parietal pleura (open pneumothorax) during or after an invasive procedure on or near the chest
wall (eg, thoracentesis, paracentesis, central line insertion) (Options 1, 2, 4, and 6).
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Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
1100:
The client has experienced enuresis at night for the past 2 weeks and frequently requests to use the
bathroom while at school. The client was previously toilet trained with no nighttime bed wetting for 6 months;
the client recently relocated to a new home and school where the client lives with parents.
The parent reports that the client has recently demonstrated fatigue, irritability, and multiple behavioral
outbursts that resemble past temper tantrums. The client frequently reports feeling thirsty. No dysuria or
urinary hesitancy is reported.
Weight and height were in the 40th percentiles at the previous visit a year ago. Growth charts today show
the client's weight in the 20th percentile and height in the 40th percentile.
The client appears tired and irritable. Dry mucous membranes are noted with no increased work of
breathing. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. No cardiac murmur is heard.
For each client finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of behavior regression,diabetes mellitus, or urinary tract infection. Each finding may support more than one disease process.
- A. Fatigue
- B. Irritability
- C. Polydipsia
- D. Urinary frequency
- E. Nocturnal enuresis
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Behavior regression is the return to a previous behavior as an act of coping. This may be caused by a stressful event (eg,
new school, parental divorce, relocation). Clinical findings may include withdrawal or the return of previous behaviors that
resemble toddlerhood (eg, temper tantrums [fatigue, irritability], nocturnal enuresis).
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin deficiency (type 1 DM) or resistance (type 2 DM),
which leads to increased blood glucose levels (ie, hyperglycemia) and signs of cellular starvation (eg, fatigue, irritability,
weight loss) from decreased glucose use. Glucose increases the osmolality of blood, which pulls water into the intravascular
space and leads to excessive urination (eg, urinary frequency, nocturnal enuresis). As the kidneys excrete excess glucose,
the body loses water, resulting in hypovolemia and signs of dehydration (eg, increased thirst [polydipsial, dry mucous
membranes).
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys. Common manifestations include
fatigue, fever, painful urination (ie, dysuria), urinary frequency and urgency, and nocturnal enuresis. Irritability may be a
sign of illness in a child who has difficulty verbalizing or understanding the cause of the symptoms. Although increased urinary
frequency is seen (due to bladder irritation), volume is not excessive (unlike osmotic diuresis of DM); therefore, clients are not
dehydrated and would not report polydipsia.
History and Physical
Body System,Findings
General
Client has history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diverticulosis, and
osteoarthritis; Helicobacter pylori infection 2 years ago; client reports taking over-the-counter
ibuprofen every 8 hours for left knee pain for the past 2 weeks; daily medications include aspirin,
carvedilol, lisinopril, and atorvastatin
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 20, SpO 96% on room air, lung sounds clear bilaterally; no shortness of breath;
client smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day and smokes marijuana 1 or 2 times weekly
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: P 110, BP 90/62; no chest pain; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses
2+; client states feeling lightheaded and reports passing out about 1 hour ago
Gastrointestinal
Abdominal pain rated as 4 on a scale of 0-10; one episode of hematemesis; two episodes of
large, black, liquid stools in the morning
Musculoskeletal
Examination of the knees shows crepitus that is worse on the left; no swelling, warmth, or
erythema; range of motion is normal
Psychosocial
Client reports drinking 1 or 2 glasses of wine per day
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results. The health care provider suspects the client is experiencing upper gastrointestinal bleeding. For each potential prescription, click to specify whether the prescription is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of the client.
- A. Place the client on NPO status
- B. Administer isotonic IV fluid bolus
- C. Administer proton pump inhibitor IV
- D. Collect blood samples for type and crossmatch
- E. Administer heparin for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Anticipated prescriptions for a client with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding include:
• Placing the client on NPO status to reduce the risk of continued bleeding and vomiting. NPO status is important to
initiate prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy to reduce aspiration risk.
• Administering an isotonic IV fluid bolus to restore circulating fluid volume and maintain perfusion of vital organs.
• Administering a proton pump inhibitor IV (eg, pantoprazole) to reduce gastric acid secretion and prevent further
irritation and breakdown of suspected peptic ulcers.
• Collecting blood samples for type and crossmatch to ensure blood type compatibility before initiating a blood
transfusion. This client's hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are low, and the client continues to have active bleeding.
Therefore, a blood transfusion should be anticipated to increase blood volume and improve oxygenation and perfusion.
Administering heparin for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis is not anticipated. Anticoagulation will prolong bleeding
and increase risk for hemorrhagic shock. Anticoagulation is contraindicated for clients with active GI bleeding.
History and Physical
Body System,Findings
General
Client has history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diverticulosis, and
osteoarthritis; Helicobacter pylori infection 2 years ago; client reports taking over-the-counter
ibuprofen every 8 hours for left knee pain for the past 2 weeks; daily medications include aspirin,
carvedilol, lisinopril, and atorvastatin
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 20, SpO 96% on room air, lung sounds clear bilaterally; no shortness of breath;
client smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day and smokes marijuana 1 or 2 times weekly
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: P 110, BP 90/62; no chest pain; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses
2+; client states feeling lightheaded and reports passing out about 1 hour ago
Gastrointestinal
Abdominal pain rated as 4 on a scale of 0-10; one episode of hematemesis; two episodes of
large, black, liquid stools in the morning
Musculoskeletal
Examination of the knees shows crepitus that is worse on the left; no swelling, warmth, or
erythema; range of motion is normal
Psychosocial
Client reports drinking 1 or 2 glasses of wine per day
Complete the following sentence/sentences by choosing from the list/lists of options.This client is most likely experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding related to ----------
- A. Diverticulosis
- B. Ulcerative colitis
- C. Peptic Ulcer disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client is most likely experiencing gastrointestinal GI) bleeding related to peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
The clients symptoms are most consistent with upper Gl bleeding. PUD is one of the most common causes of upper GI
bleeding due to erosion and ulceration of the protective layers (ie, mucosa) of the upper Gl tract (eg, esophagus, stomach,
duodenum). Impaired mucosa allows digestive enzymes and stomach acid to break down underlying tissues, leading to GI
bleeding and perforation. The client has multiple risk factors for PUD, including history of Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic
NSAID use, smoking, and daily alcohol consumption.
Nurses' Notes
Outpatient Clinic
Initial
visit
The child recently started attending a new preschool and hit a teacher during lunch. The parent says, "My
child has never been aggressive before but has always been particular about food."
The client was born at full term without complications and has no significant medical history. The child
started babbling at age 6 months, and the parent reports that the first words were spoken around age 12
months. The client then became quiet and "obsessed" with stacking blocks and organizing toys by color.
The child can kick a ball, draw a circle, pedal a tricycle, and now says 2-word phrases. Vitals signs are
normal, and the client is tracking adequately on growth curves.
During the evaluation, the child sits in the corner of the room playing with blocks. The client does not follow
the parent's gaze when the parent points to toys in the office. The child begins screaming and rocking back
and forth when the health care provider comes near.
Emergency Department
3 years The client is brought to the emergency department by the parents, who report that the child became upset
later
and started banging the head against the wall several times. The parents report that the client has had
these episodes frequently; however, this time, the child was injured. The client has a laceration on the
forehead and is admitted for 24-hour observation.
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Nurses' Notes. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is anticipated or not anticipated for the care of the client.
- A. Encourage the client to play with others in the playroom
- B. Follow a structured routine and schedule for providing care
- C. Consistently assign the same nursing staff to the client when possible
- D. Assign the client to a shared room with another client who has autism
- E. Use direct eve contact and therapeutic touch when talking to the client
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often hesitant about changes and have a heightened behavioral response
when placed in an unfamiliar environment (eg, hospital). The nurse should consider the client's unique needs when planning
care. Anticipated interventions for decreasing anxiety and enhancing cooperation when caring for clients with ASD include:
• Following a structured routine and schedule for providing care to reduce distress and promote normalcy
• Consistently assigning the same nursing staff to the client when possible to facilitate trust and communication
because clients with ASD often have difficulties adjusting to changes in their surroundings
• Establishing a method for communication that is brief, concrete, and developmentally appropriate (eg, picture boards) to
decrease frustration due to impaired verbal and nonverbal communication
Clients with ASD are hypersensitive to environmental factors and may become distressed and overstimulated by noise and
activity. Therefore, encouraging the client to play with others in the playroom and assigning the client to a shared room
with another client who has autism are not anticipated
Clients with ASD may be fearful of, or hypersensitive to, touch and direct eye contact. The nurse should use other means of
developing trust (eg, being consistent, conveying acceptance, using positive reinforcement).
The nurse is caring for a 16-year-old client.History and Physical
Body System, Finding
General,
Client is brought to the emergency department due to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that began 24 hr
ago. Client has type 1 diabetes mellitus and usually takes insulin. Parents state that the client was at an
overnight camp for the past 4 days and are unsure of how much insulin the client has been taking.
Neurological,
Client is lethargic but arousable to voice. The pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
Integumentary,
Mucous membranes are dry, skin turgor is poor.
Pulmonary,
Vital signs are RR 36 and SpOz 95% on room air. Lung sounds are clear to auscultation. Deep respirations and a
fruity odor on the breath are noted.
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs are T 98.4 F (36.9 C), P 110, and BP 98/58. Pulses are 3+ on all extremities, and capillary refill time is
4 sec.
Gastrointestinal Normoactive bowel sounds are heard in all 4 quadrants; the abdomen is nontender.
Genitourinary,
Client voided dark yellow urine.
Endocrine,
Client is prescribed levothyroxine daily for hypothyroidism and has missed one dose of levothyroxine.
Psychosocial,
Parents state that the client has been sad and slightly withdrawn for the past 2 weeks after ending a romantic relationship.
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range, 1000, 1600
Blood Chemistry.
Glucose (random)
≤200 mg/dL
(≤11.1 mmol/L),
504 mg/dL
(28.0 mmol/L),
164 mg/dL
(9.1 mmol/L)
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L),
133 mEq/L
(133 mmol/L),
135 mEq/L
(135 mmol/L)
Chloride
98-106 mEq/L
(98-106 mmol/L),
101 mEq/L
(101 mmol/L),
102 mEq/L
(102 mmol/L)
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L),
5.6 mEq/L
(5.6 mmol/L),
3.2 mEq/L
(3.2 mmol/L)
Arterial Blood Gases
Arterial pH
7.35-7.45
(7.35-7.45),
7.20
(7.20),
7.31
(7.31)
HCOg
21-28 mEq/L
(21-28 mmol/L),
13 mEq/L
(13 mmol/L),
18 mEq/L
(18 mmol/L)
PaCO,
35-45 mm Hg
(4.66-5.98 kPa),
30 mm Hg
(3.99 KPa),
32 mm Hg
(4.26 kPa)
PaO,
80-100 mm Hg
(10.64-13.33 KPa),
90 mm Hg
(11.97 kPa),
90 mm Hg
(11.97 kPa)
Nurses' Notes
1600:
0.9% sodium chloride and regular insulin IV are continuously infusing. Lung sounds are clear to auscultation. Urine output
is 90 mL over the past 2 hr.
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 105, RR 28, BP 110/72, and SpO, 95% on room air.
Drag words from the choices below to fill in the blank/blanks. The nurse understands that treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis is resolved when the-----------,--------, and ----------
- A. Urine output is >30 mL/hr
- B. Blood glucose is <200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
- C. Potassium level is >3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L)
- D. Metabolic acidosis is
resolved - E. Urine specimen is negative
for ketones
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes anion gap metabolic acidosis generated by the ketoacid anions and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Anion gap is
calculated based on electrolyte levels to determine the balance of cations and anions (le, acids and bases).
IV insulin infusion may be discontinued on resolution of acidosis and ketosis, which generally occurs with a blood glucose level of <200
mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). However, measurement of serum glucose alone is inappropriate for monitoring the response to treatment because
ketosis and acidemia may still be present. With fluid resuscitation and correction of hyperosmolality and hyperglycemia, ketoacids disappear
and the anion gap and arterial blood gas results normalize, pointing to resolution of metabolic acidosis and ketonuria ie, ketones in
urine.
Nokea