While caring for a client with full-thickness burns covering 40% of the body, the nurse observes purulent drainage from the wounds. Before reporting this finding to the health care provider, the nurse should evaluate which laboratory value?
- A. Platelet count.
- B. Serum albumin.
- C. Neutrophil count.
- D. Blood pH level.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neutrophil count is a measure of the body's immune response to infection. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cells and are the first line of defense against bacterial infections. A high neutrophil count can indicate an acute infection, such as that suggested by purulent drainage from burn wounds.
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The nurse is caring for a client who is still experiencing light sedation after undergoing an emergency colectomy for bowel obstruction. Which postoperative pain intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Provide the first medication prescribed for pain management.
- B. Review medical records to obtain pain tolerance expectations.
- C. Wait until the client is awake before providing pain management.
- D. Attempt to obtain a self-report of pain level from the client.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Providing the prescribed pain medication first prevents pain escalation in a sedated client, using behavioral indicators like vital signs to guide administration, as self-reporting may be unreliable.
After teaching a client newly diagnosed with cholecystitis about recommended diet changes, the nurse evaluates the client's learning. Which food choices eliminated by the client indicate to the nurse that teaching has been successful?
- A. Whole milk and daily servings of ice cream.
- B. Citrus fruit and melon with a salt substitute.
- C. Pasta with herbal butter and no meat sauce.
- D. Canned vegetables with additional table salt.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eliminating whole milk and ice cream, which are high in fat, prevents gallbladder inflammation and gallstone formation, indicating successful learning about cholecystitis diet.
An adult client, a smoker, has had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for twelve years. When conducting discharge teaching, what should the nurse advise the client to avoid in order to prevent exacerbation of COPD?
- A. Exposure to persons with pneumonia or chickenpox.
- B. Excessive physical exertion and respiratory tract infections.
- C. Overdose of albuterol and alcohol consumption.
- D. Excessive bedrest and lack of exercise.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Excessive physical exertion and respiratory infections are primary triggers for COPD exacerbation, increasing oxygen demand and causing airway inflammation, which the client should avoid.
The nurse is assessing a client who has herpes zoster. Which question will allow the nurse to gather further information about this condition?
- A. Has everyone at home already had varicella?
- B. Have the antifungal creams been effective?
- C. Do you have any dry patches on your feet and hands?
- D. Do your family members share combs and brushes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Asking if everyone at home has had varicella helps determine the risk of transmission of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes herpes zoster, to non-immune individuals, informing isolation precautions.
An older client who experienced a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) has difficulty with visual perception and eats only half of the food on the meal tray. The client's family expresses concern about the client's nutritional status. How should the nurse respond to the family's concern?
- A. Demonstrate the use of visual scanning during meals to the client and family.
- B. Explain that weight loss will be reversed after the acute phase of the stroke has ended.
- C. Suggest that the family bring foods from home that the client enjoys eating.
- D. Encourage the family to offer to feed the client when she does not eat her entire meal.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Teaching visual scanning compensates for visual perception deficits post-CVA, enabling the client to see all food on the tray, addressing the root cause of poor intake and improving nutrition.
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