Nokea
A triage nurse has four clients arrive in the emergency department within 15 minutes. Which client should the triage nurse send back to be seen first?
- A. A 2-month-old infant with a history of rolling off the bed and having a bulging fontanelle with crying
- B. A teenager who suffered singed facial hair while camping
- C. An elderly client with complaints of frequent liquid brown-colored stools
- D. A middle-aged client with intermittent pain behind the right scapula
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is the teenager who suffered singed facial hair while camping. This client is in the greatest danger with a potential risk of respiratory distress. Singed facial hair indicates exposure to heat or fire in close range, which could have caused serious damage to the interior of the lungs. It's crucial to prioritize this client as the interior lining of the lungs has no nerve fibers, so swelling may not be immediately noticeable. The other choices, while concerning, do not present an immediate life-threatening situation. The infant's condition may be serious but does not pose an immediate danger of respiratory distress. The elderly client's symptoms could indicate gastrointestinal issues, which are important but not as urgent as potential respiratory compromise. The middle-aged client's pain behind the right scapula, while uncomfortable, does not indicate an acute life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention.
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What is the correct action regarding thigh pressure when comparing it to arm pressure in an adolescent with high blood pressure?
- A. The popliteal artery should be auscultated to obtain thigh pressure.
- B. The best position to measure thigh pressure is the prone position.
- C. If the blood pressure in the arm is high in an adolescent, then it should be compared with the thigh pressure.
- D. Thigh pressure is generally higher than arm pressure due to the proximity to the heart and the size of the popliteal vessels.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When blood pressure measured in the arm is significantly elevated, especially in adolescents and young adults, it is crucial to compare it with thigh pressure to assess for coarctation of the aorta. The popliteal artery, not the femoral artery, should be auscultated for the thigh pressure reading as the femoral artery is closer to the placement of the blood pressure cuff. Generally, thigh pressure is higher than arm pressure; however, if there is coarctation of the artery, arm pressures can be higher than thigh pressures. The preferred position for measuring thigh pressure is the prone position, not supine, with the knee slightly bent to facilitate accurate readings.
What technique would the nurse use to accurately assess a rectal temperature in an adult?
- A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
- B. Insert the thermometer 2 to 3 inches into the rectum.
- C. Leave the thermometer in place for up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
- D. Wait 2 to 3 minutes if the patient has recently smoked a cigarette.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To accurately assess a rectal temperature in an adult, a nurse should use a lubricated rectal thermometer with a short, blunt tip. The thermometer is inserted only 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) into the rectum and left in place for 2 minutes. Choice B is incorrect as inserting the thermometer 2 to 3 inches would be too deep and inaccurate. Choice C is incorrect as leaving the thermometer in place for up to 8 minutes is unnecessary and can cause discomfort. Choice D is incorrect as smoking a cigarette does not impact rectal temperatures.
The nurse is taking an initial blood pressure reading on a 72-year-old patient with documented hypertension. How should the nurse proceed?
- A. Cuff should be placed on the patient's arm and inflated 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
- B. Cuff should be inflated to 200 mm Hg in an attempt to obtain the most accurate systolic reading.
- C. Cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the patient's pulse rate.
- D. After confirming the patient's previous blood pressure readings, the cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the highest systolic reading recorded.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, it's important to account for the possibility of an auscultatory gap, which occurs in about 5% of individuals, particularly those with hypertension due to a noncompliant arterial system. To detect an auscultatory gap, the cuff should be inflated 20 to 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the palpated pulse disappears. This ensures an accurate measurement of blood pressure by overcoming the potential gap in sounds. Choice A is correct as it follows this guideline. Choices B and C are incorrect because inflating the cuff to 200 mm Hg or above the patient's pulse rate does not address the specific issue of an auscultatory gap. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the patient's previous readings rather than the current measurement technique needed to detect an auscultatory gap.
Which of these guidelines would a healthcare professional follow when measuring a patient's weight?
- A. The patient is always weighed wearing only undergarments.
- B. The type of scale matters and should be consistent day to day.
- C. The patient should remove heavy outer clothing, shoes, and jackets before weighing.
- D. Attempts should be made to weigh the patient at approximately the same time of day if a sequence of weights is necessary.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When measuring a patient's weight, it is important to ensure accuracy and consistency. If a sequence of repeated weights is necessary, the healthcare professional should attempt to weigh the patient at the same time of day and with the same types of clothing worn each time. It is crucial to use a standardized balance or electronic standing scale for accurate weight measurement. Choice A is incorrect as patients should remove heavy outer clothing, shoes, and jackets before being weighed for accurate results. Choice B is incorrect because the type of scale used does matter and should be consistent for reliable weight tracking. Choice C is incorrect as patients should not leave on heavy outer clothing, shoes, or jackets as these items can add to the weight recorded inaccurately.
You have measured the urinary output of your resident at the end of your 8-hour shift. The output is 25 ounces. What should you do next?
- A. Convert the number of ounces into cc.
- B. Convert the number of ounces into cm.
- C. Immediately report this poor output to the nurse.
- D. Know that 25 ounces of urine is too much in 8 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: You should convert the number of ounces into cc because cc is the unit of measurement used to record intake and output accurately. This urinary output falls within normal limits, so there is no need to report it immediately to the nurse. It is essential to report urinary outputs of less than 30 cc per hour to detect potential issues early. Converting ounces into centimeters (cm) is not appropriate in this context as cm is a unit of length, not volume. Knowing that 25 ounces of urine is too much in 8 hours is inaccurate as it depends on various factors like fluid intake and individual differences.