Nokea
The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old client in the emergency department.
Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.
History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10
Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg
Diagnostic Results
CT pulmonary angiography
1030: Pulmonary embolism is confirmed
Lower extremity doppler ultrasound
1100: Deep venous thrombosis is noted in the right lower extremity.
Which of the following statements by the nurse indicate a correct understanding of heparin therapy? Select all that apply.
- A. Clients who have had recent surgeries or have a history of hemorrhagic stroke should not receive heparin.
- B. Heparin is administered via IV infusion pump.
- C. Heparin requires two licensed health care personnel to verify the infusion rate.
- D. Heparin should be discontinued if platelets decrease significantly.
- E. I will collect a blood specimen for a complete blood count and coagulation panel before heparin is initiated.
- F. The heparin dose is adjusted based on frequently checked PT/INR results.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: A: Correct, as recent surgery or hemorrhagic stroke are contraindications due to bleeding risk. B: Correct, as heparin is typically administered via IV infusion pump for precise dosing. C: Correct, as high-risk medications like heparin often require dual verification. D: Correct, as significant platelet decrease may indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, requiring discontinuation. E: Correct, as baseline CBC and coagulation panels are needed before starting heparin. F: Incorrect, as heparin dosing is adjusted based on aPTT, not PT/INR, which is used for warfarin.
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Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.
History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10
Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg
Based on the client's history and physical examination findings, which disease process is the most likely cause of this client's current condition?
- A. Atherosclerosis
- B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- C. Pulmonary infection
- D. Venous thromboembolism
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client's recent immobility (wheelchair dependence post-femoral fracture), right lower extremity redness and edema (suggesting DVT), dyspnea, chest pain, hypoxemia (SpO2 89%), and sinus tachycardia strongly indicate venous thromboembolism, likely a pulmonary embolism secondary to DVT.
The nurse is caring for a client on the medical-surgical unit.
History
Admission
0500: The client is admitted with an abscess and cellulitis of the right leg. The abscess is noted on the lateral aspect of the right calf, with redness, swelling, and warmth extending from the knee to the ankle. The abscess was incised in the emergency department, and a moderate amount of purulent, yellowish-green drainage was noted. The leg was wrapped with gauze, and the client received the first dose of IV antibiotics and opioids for pain control.
The client reports chronic lower back pain and gastrosophageal reflux disease, and he was admitted to the hospital once last year for gastrointestinal bleeding. He is currently prescribed daily pantoprazole but takes it only a few times a week.
Vital signs: T 100.9 F (38.3 C), P 82, RR 14, BP 130/80, SpO, 95% on room air
Progress Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
2300:
The client reports nausea, headache, and insomnia. The client is trembling, diaphoretic, and restless.
The client states, "I would sleep better if those mice and cats would stop climbing up and down the walls."
The upper portion of the clients dressing is saturated with yellowish-green drainage. The peripheral V was removed by the client, and dried blood is noted at the IV site. The IV catheter is on the floor. The client yelled and pushed the nurse's hands away during inspection of the IV site.
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, RR 18, BP 170/96, SpO≥ 95% on room air
The nurse is planning care with the registered nurse. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of the client.
- A. Keep the room well lit
- B. Keep the client on NPO status
- C. Administer 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion
- D. Place padding on the headboard and side rails of the bed
- E. Turn the television to a channel with news about current events
- F. Evaluate the client's behavior with a standardized assessment tool
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Rationale: A: Anticipated - Keeping the room well lit reduces confusion and hallucinations in alcohol withdrawal. B: Unanticipated - NPO status is not indicated unless specific conditions (e.g., surgery) apply. C: Anticipated - IV fluids support hydration during withdrawal. D: Anticipated - Padding prevents injury during potential seizures. E: Unanticipated - News may increase agitation. F: Anticipated - Standardized tools (e.g., CIWA-Ar) assess withdrawal severity.
The nurse is caring for a client at a women’s health clinic.
History & Physical
Labor and delivery unit
0800:
A 28-year-old nulliparous female comes to the clinic for confirmation of suspected pregnancy due to amenorrhea and a positive home pregnancy test. The client's current exercise regimen includes indoor cycling and outdoor running. The client reports nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness. She has a 28-day menstrual cycle, and her last menstrual period was March 10- 17. The health care provider notes a bluish-purple vaginal mucosa and cervix during pelvic examination and confirms a 12-week intrauterine pregnancy by sonography. A fetal heart rate of 155/min is detected with handheld Doppler.
For each client finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with presumptive, probable, or positive signs of pregnancy. Note: Each row must have one response option selected
- A. Amenorrhea
- B. Chadwick sign
- C. Fetal heart rate
- D. Nausea/vomiting
- E. Breast tenderness
- F. Home pregnancy test
- G. Fetus visible on ultrasound
Correct Answer: A: Presumptive, B: Probable, C: Positive, D: Presumptive, E: Presumptive, F: Probable, G: Positive
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective and may have other causes (e.g., amenorrhea, nausea/vomiting, breast tenderness). Probable signs are objective but not definitive (e.g., Chadwick sign, positive home pregnancy test). Positive signs confirm pregnancy (e.g., fetal heart rate, fetus visible on ultrasound).
The practical nurse is assisting the registered nurse with the care of a 58-year-old client in the emergency department.
Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
The client monitors blood pressure (BP) at home and reports that it has been elevated for the past month. BP is 157/92 mm Hg. Physical examination is normal. The client is prescribed a thiazide diuretic for hypertension.
Emergency Department 4 Weeks Later
The client reports muscle weakness and severe cramping in the lower extremities with increased lethargy over the past 3 days. BP is 123/75 mm Hg. Physical examination findings include 1+ deep tendon reflexes bilaterally.
The nurse recognizes that the client is most likely experiencing.......... and, without prompt intervention, is at risk for...........
- A. Hypokalemia
- B. Hypoglycemia
- C. Hypermagnesemia
- D. Seizures
- E. Hypotension
- F. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Correct Answer: A,F
Rationale: The client is most likely experiencing hypokalemia and, without prompt intervention, is at risk for cardiac dysrhythmias. Thiazide diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to muscle weakness, cramping, and lethargy. Low potassium levels can disrupt cardiac electrical activity, risking dysrhythmias.
The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
Select the findings that require immediate follow up.
- A. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking
- B. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours,
- C. The client has been receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure.
- D. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
- E. The abdomen is markedly distended and tenderagogue palpation.
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: B: Requires follow-up - Persistent vomiting despite antiemetics suggests a postoperative complication like ileus or obstruction. E: Requires follow-up - Abdominal distension and tenderness indicate potential ileus or obstruction, requiring urgent evaluation. A, C, D: Do not require immediate follow-up as they are expected or less urgent.