Nokea
While changing a client's chest tube dressing, the nurse notes a cracking sensation when gentle pressure is applied to the skin at the insertion site. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
- A. Apply a pressure dressing around the chest tube site.
- B. Administer an oral antihistamine.
- C. Assess for allergies to topical cleaning agents.
- D. Measure the area of swelling and crackling.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a nurse observes crepitus around a chest tube site, it could indicate subcutaneous emphysema, a potentially serious condition where air gets trapped under the skin. Measuring the area of swelling and crackling is important as it helps monitor the progression of subcutaneous emphysema. Applying a pressure dressing (choice A) might not address the underlying cause and could potentially worsen the condition. Administering an oral antihistamine (choice B) is not indicated for crepitus at a chest tube site. Assessing for allergies to topical cleaning agents (choice C) is important but not the immediate priority when crepitus is observed.
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A client is admitted to isolation with active tuberculosis. What infection control measures should the nurse implement?
- A. Initiate protective environment precautions.
- B. Use droplet precautions only.
- C. Ensure a positive pressure environment in the room.
- D. Implement negative pressure and contact precautions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When caring for a client with active tuberculosis, it is crucial to implement negative pressure rooms and contact precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Choice A, initiating protective environment precautions, is incorrect as this is not the recommended approach for tuberculosis. Choice B, using droplet precautions only, is insufficient as tuberculosis requires additional precautions. Choice C, ensuring a positive pressure environment in the room, is incorrect because negative pressure rooms are necessary to contain airborne pathogens like tuberculosis. Therefore, the most appropriate measures include implementing negative pressure rooms and contact precautions.
A client at 12 weeks gestation is admitted to the antepartum unit with a diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Provide emotional support
- B. Monitor daily weight
- C. Encourage small frequent meals
- D. Initiate prescribed intravenous fluids
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum, characterized by severe nausea and vomiting, leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The priority intervention is initiating IV fluids to correct these imbalances. Providing emotional support is important for the client's well-being, but addressing fluid and electrolyte imbalances takes precedence. Monitoring daily weight and encouraging small frequent meals are beneficial interventions but are not the priority when managing hyperemesis gravidarum.
Prior to surgery, written consent must be obtained. What is the nurse's legal responsibility with regard to obtaining written consent?
- A. Witness the consent and sign the form as a witness
- B. Inform the client of alternatives to the procedure
- C. Explain the procedure in detail to the client
- D. Determine that the surgical consent form has been signed and is included in the client's record
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse's legal responsibility is to ensure that informed consent has been obtained by verifying that the client has signed the form and that it is included in the record. Witnessing the consent and signing as a witness is not the nurse's role, as this is typically done by a neutral party. Informing the client of alternatives to the procedure and explaining the procedure in detail are responsibilities of the healthcare provider performing the surgery, not the nurse.
During a thyroid storm, what is the nurse's priority intervention for a client experiencing increased heart rate and tremors?
- A. Administer antithyroid medications as prescribed.
- B. Administer a beta-blocker to control the heart rate.
- C. Monitor the client's temperature closely.
- D. Prepare the client for an emergency thyroidectomy.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer antithyroid medications as prescribed during a thyroid storm. Antithyroid medications help control the overproduction of thyroid hormones, which is crucial in managing symptoms such as increased heart rate and tremors. These symptoms can be life-threatening if not promptly addressed. Administering a beta-blocker (Choice B) may help control the heart rate, but addressing the underlying cause with antithyroid medications is the priority. Monitoring the client's temperature (Choice C) is important but not the priority intervention during a thyroid storm. Lastly, preparing the client for an emergency thyroidectomy (Choice D) is not the initial intervention for managing symptoms of a thyroid storm.
A client is admitted with a severe burn injury. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Monitor the client's urine output.
- B. Administer intravenous fluids.
- C. Apply cool, moist compresses to the burn area.
- D. Cover the burn area with a sterile dressing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer intravenous fluids. In a client with severe burn injury, the priority intervention is to administer intravenous fluids to prevent shock. Monitoring urine output (Choice A) is important but not the priority. Applying cool, moist compresses (Choice C) can be beneficial but is not the priority over fluid resuscitation. Covering the burn area with a sterile dressing (Choice D) is important for wound care but is not the immediate priority in managing severe burns.