A nurse is checking a client's bowel sounds. At which of the following times should the nurse auscultate the client's abdomen?
- A. After palpating the abdomen
- B. Prior to percussing the abdomen
- C. After checking for kidney tenderness
- D. Prior to inspecting the abdomen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prior to percussing the abdomen. Auscultation of bowel sounds should be done before percussing as it helps to assess the presence and quality of bowel sounds without causing any interference from other assessment techniques. Palpation (choice A) can stimulate bowel sounds, leading to inaccurate assessment. Checking for kidney tenderness (choice C) and inspecting the abdomen (choice D) are unrelated to auscultating bowel sounds.
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A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to thin the client's respiratory secretions?
- A. Encourage the client to ambulate more often.
- B. Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
- C. Encourage the client to drink more fluids.
- D. Encourage regular use of the incentive spirometer.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Encourage the client to drink more fluids. Increased fluid intake helps to thin respiratory secretions, making it easier for the client to cough them up and clear the airways. This action promotes effective airway clearance and reduces the risk of complications such as pneumonia worsening. Encouraging ambulation (A) is beneficial for overall lung health but does not directly address thinning of respiratory secretions. While coughing and deep breathing (B) are important for clearing secretions, increasing fluids is more effective in thinning them. Using the incentive spirometer (D) helps with lung expansion but does not directly thin secretions.
A nurse is checking the apical pulse of a client who is taking several cardiovascular medications. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Count the apical pulsations for a full minute.
- B. Check the apical pulse with a Doppler device.
- C. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope to listen to the apical pulsations.
- D. Press the stethoscope firmly against the client's skin.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Count the apical pulsations for a full minute. This is because counting the apical pulse for a full minute provides the most accurate assessment of the client's heart rate. It allows for any irregularities or fluctuations in the pulse to be detected.
Choice B is incorrect as using a Doppler device is not necessary for routine assessment of the apical pulse. Choice C is incorrect as the bell of the stethoscope, not the diaphragm, should be used to listen to the apical pulsations for better sound transmission. Choice D is incorrect as pressing the stethoscope firmly against the client's skin can create artifact noise and interfere with accurate auscultation.
A client receiving a cleansing enema reports mild cramping. After a few minutes, he asks the nurse to stop the enema and allow him to go to the bathroom. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Discontinue the enema.
- B. Lower the height of the solution bag.
- C. Continue the enema and reassure the client.
- D. Pause the enema and give the client pain medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B - Lower the height of the solution bag.
Rationale: Lowering the height of the solution bag will decrease the flow rate of the enema, which can help alleviate the mild cramping the client is experiencing. This adjustment can make the procedure more tolerable for the client without needing to discontinue it entirely. It is important to address the client's discomfort while ensuring the effectiveness of the enema.
Summary of other choices:
A: Discontinuing the enema may not be necessary if the client's discomfort can be managed with a simple adjustment.
C: Continuing the enema without addressing the client's discomfort may lead to increased distress.
D: Pausing the enema and giving pain medication is not the initial intervention for mild cramping and may not be necessary if a simple adjustment can alleviate the discomfort.
A nurse is preparing to collect health history data during a client's admission. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to promote this discussion?
- A. What brought you to the hospital?
- B. Would you tell me about all of your medical issues?
- C. Do you want to talk about your health concerns?
- D. Would it help to discuss your feelings about this hospitalization?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "What brought you to the hospital?" This question is open-ended and allows the client to share their reason for seeking care, which can provide valuable information for the nurse to understand the client's current health status and concerns. It also helps establish rapport and encourages the client to share their perspective.
Rationale for other choices:
B: Asking about all medical issues is too broad and may overwhelm the client, leading to a less focused discussion.
C: Asking if the client wants to talk about health concerns puts the onus on the client to bring up topics, which may hinder open communication.
D: While discussing feelings is important, it may not be the most immediate priority during admission and may not capture the primary reason for seeking care.
A client who is about to undergo hip arthroplasty tells the nurse she is afraid of not receiving adequate anesthesia during the procedure. Which of the following is an appropriate response?
- A. I will call the anesthesiologist right away.
- B. Can you tell me more about this concern?
- C. You have nothing to be concerned about. You have a competent anesthesiologist.
- D. I had a similar procedure and definitely received enough anesthesia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking the client to elaborate allows for exploration of their concerns and reassurance through proper information.