Which statement by the client is the most concerning?

The nurse is caring for a 52-year-old client on the orthopedic unit.
Nurses' Notes
Postoperative Day 1
0900:
The client's left leg was placed in balanced suspension skeletal traction for a fractured femur 12 hours ago. The client is positioned supine in the center of the bed with the foot of the bed elevated 15 degrees. Traction ropes are free of frays, centered in the pulleys, and moving freely with attached weights resting on the bed frame.
Serous drainage noted around the pin sites. Left foot slightly cool to the touch with posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses palpable at 2+ and capillary refill <2 seconds in the toes. Client has normal sensation and movement of the left toes. Client rates left leg pain as 8 on a scale of 0-10.
Vital signs are T 100.4 F (38 C), P 110, RR 18, and BP 132/68. Weight is 173 lb (78.5 kg).

A. I feel pain and tightness in my right calf.
B. I stay in the same position in bed until physical therapy when I do my exercises.
C. Sitting in this bed all day makes me feel so depressed.
D. The drainage from the surgical site is cloudy today.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Pain and tightness in the calf (A) is concerning for deep venous thrombosis, a potentially life-threatening complication requiring immediate attention.

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

For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism.

A. Dyspnea
B. Chest pain
C. Hypoxemia
D. Sinus tachycardia
E. Right lower extremity redness and edema

Correct Answer: A: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; B: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; C: Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism; D: Myocardial infarction, Pulmonary embolism; E: Pulmonary embolism

Rationale: A: Dyspnea is common in all three due to impaired oxygenation or cardiac output. B: Chest pain occurs in all three, though the nature varies (e.g., pleuritic in pneumonia/PE, crushing in MI). C: Hypoxemia is typical in pneumonia (due to alveolar impairment) and PE (due to ventilation-perfusion mismatch). D: Sinus tachycardia is seen in MI (due to cardiac stress) and PE (due to hypoxia and embolism). E: Right lower extremity redness and edema suggest DVT, which is strongly associated with PE.

Nurses' Notes
Emergency Department
A newborn is brought to the emergency department due to coughing and difficulty feeding. The client was born at home 6 hours ago via spontaneous vaginal birth. With each attempt to breastfeed, the client coughs, vomits, and "turns blue." The mother did not receive prenatal care. She reports a history of opioid use disorder but reports no opioid use during pregnancy.
Vital signs: T 98.6 F (37 C), P 120, RR 50, and SpO, 95% on room air. Abdominal distension is present. Ballard scoring estimates the client at 37 weeks gestation. Weight and length are consistent with the 25th and 50th percentiles for estimated age, respectively.
1 Hour Later
After attempting a bottle feed with 10 mL of formula, the client has a coughing episode, and there is formula mixed with saliva in the mouth. Coarse breath sounds are noted bilaterally with intercostal retractions. S1 and S2 are present with no murmurs. Neurologic examination shows normal neuromuscular findings.
A nasogastric tube insertion is attempted per prescription by the health care provider, and resistance is met at 10 cm of insertion.

During a diaper change, the client becomes cyanotic with frothy secretions from the mouth and nose. What action should nurse perform first?

A. Activate the rapid response team
B. Initiate rescue breathing with a bag valve mask
C. Perform nasal and oropharyngeal suction
D. Prepare the newborn for intubation

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Suctioning clears the airway of frothy secretions, addressing the immediate cause of cyanosis. This is the first priority before other interventions.

The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old client who was brought to the emergency department after
becoming short of breath at school.
History and Physical
General
Well-nourished child; currently sitting in the tripod position; patches of dry, scaly, reddened skin are present in the creases of bilateral elbows and behind both knees; client reports that these areas itch

Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time

Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client reports no nasal congestion

Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 34, SpO 92% on room air, airway patent, intercostal retractions noted during inspiration; expiratory wheezes auscultated bilaterally; dry, spasmodic cough is noted; no stridor; difficulty speaking in complete sentences

Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 110, BP 94/60; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; nom murmurs noted; peripheral pulses 2+; capillary refill 3 seconds; no edema

Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft; bowel sounds normal

Psychosocial
Client appears anxious and is crying, client speaks in short phrases, stating, "left my medicine at a friend's house" and "feels like I can't breathe"; client cannot remember the name of the prescribed home medication; client's parents were notified and are en route to hospital

Progress Notes
0910:
Client's parents were spoken to over the phone. Last evening, the client spent the night at a friend's housewhere some family members smoke cigarettes and have a pet cat that lives in the home.

Medical history:
No accidents or injuries were reported, vaccinations are up to date, mild persistent asthma was diagnosed at age 7, and client has atopic dermatitis.

Allergies: No known allergies.

Family history:
Client is an only child. Parents report having no known medical conditions. Paternal grandfather died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and maternal grandmother has heart disease.

Social history:
Client lives with parents; they do not smoke cigarettes. There are no pets in the client's home.

Current medications:
Beclomethasone inhaler 2 puffs twice a day, albuterol (salbutamol) inhaler 2 puffs
every 4 hours as needed for quick relief of symptoms.

The nurse should anticipate interventions for treatment of...... due to the risk of.......

A. Bronchitis
B. Anaphylaxis
C. Asthma exacerbation
D. Pneumonia
E. Hypotension
F. Respiratory acidosis

Correct Answer: C,F

Rationale: The client's history of asthma, exposure to triggers (cigarette smoke, pet dander), and symptoms (wheezing, retractions, SpO2 92%) indicate an asthma exacerbation. Untreated, this can lead to respiratory acidosis due to impaired gas exchange and carbon dioxide retention.

The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
History and Physical
Neurological
The client is alert and oriented to time, place, person, and situation; the client reports sudden-onset right-sided facial drooping, speech is slurred; positive right-sided arm drift is seen
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Bilateral pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation

Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 16, SpO, 95% on room air, lung sounds are clear bilaterally

Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 86, BP 166/90; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; no murmurs are noted; the client has a history of hypertension

Musculoskeletal
Right-sided lower extremity weakness is seen

Endocrine
The client has diabetes mellitus

Psychosocial
The client reports drinking one glass of wine each evening with dinner, no tobacco use, and a history of major depression; the client takes sertraline.

Which 3 additional findings or diagnostic results are most important to plan care for this client?

A. Blood alcohol level
B. Capillary blood glucose level
C. CT scan of the head
D. Electroencephalography
E. Standardized stroke assessment

Correct Answer: B, C, E

Rationale: A CT scan (C) is critical to diagnose stroke type. A standardized stroke assessment (E) evaluates severity and guides treatment. Capillary glucose (B) ensures hypoglycemia is not contributing to symptoms. Blood alcohol level (A) is less relevant with minimal alcohol history. EEG (D) is not urgent for suspected stroke.

The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
Progress Notes
Emergency Department
0900: The client is brought to the emergency department by a family member after being found confused and lethargic. On arrival, the client is obtunded and does not respond to verbal stimuli.
Medical history includes major depressive disorder and chronic neck and back pain after a motor vehicle collision 2 years ago. The family member states that the client takes multiple medications but does not know which kind. The client was divorced a few months ago.
Physical examination shows 1-mm pupils, shallow breathing, and reduced bowel sounds. Fingerstick blood glucose is 78 mg/dL (4.3 mmol/L). ECG reveals normal sinus rhythm. Breath alcohol test is negative.
Vital signs: T 98.1 F (36.7 C), P 62, RR 8, BP 80/40, SpO, 94% on room air.
1800:
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation. The client is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and is admitted for supervised detoxification.

Laboratory Results
Urine Drug Screen
On admission
Cocaine- Negative
Opioids- Positive
Amphetamines- Negative
Marijuana- Positive
Phencyclidine-Negative
Benzodiazepines- Negative
Barbiturates- Negative
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
Cocaine- Negative
Opioids- Negative
Amphetamines- Negative
Marijuana- Negative
Phencyclidine- Negative
Benzodiazepines- Negative
Barbiturates- Negative

The nurse is helping the client prepare for discharge after 3 days of inpatient detoxification. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.

A. Assist the client to identify maladaptive behaviors
B. Encourage participation in an opioid recovery support group
C. Ensure that the client and family members are trained in the use of naloxone
D. Obtain referrals for rehabilitation programs
E. Reinforce education regarding prescribed opioid agonist medications

Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E

Rationale: All are appropriate: A: Identifying maladaptive behaviors supports recovery. B: Support groups aid long-term sobriety. C: Naloxone training prevents overdose deaths. D: Referrals ensure continued care. E: Education on medications (e.g., methadone) ensures adherence.