While conducting an intake assessment of an adult male at a community mental health clinic, the nurse notes that his affect is flat, he responds to questions with short answers, and he reports problems with sleeping. He reports that his life partner recently died from pneumonia. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Encourage the client to see the clinic's grief counselor.
- B. Determine if the client has a family history of suicide attempts.
- C. Inquire about whether the life partner had AIDS.
- D. Consult with the healthcare provider about the client's need for antidepressant medications.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client is exhibiting symptoms of normal grief, such as flat affect, withdrawal, and sleep disturbances, following the recent death of his life partner. It is crucial for the nurse to encourage the client to see the clinic's grief counselor. Grief counseling can provide the client with appropriate support and coping strategies during this grieving process, helping him navigate through his loss and emotions effectively.
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A healthcare professional is teaching a new colleague about the correct administration of subcutaneous (subQ) injections. Which instruction should the healthcare professional include?
- A. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle for subQ injections
- B. Aspirate for blood return before injecting the medication
- C. Pinch the skin before inserting the needle
- D. Massage the site after administering the injection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
When assessing a male client, the nurse finds that he is fatigued and experiencing muscle weakness, leg cramps, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Based on these findings, the nurse plans to check the client's laboratory values to validate the existence of which condition?
- A. Hyperphosphatemia
- B. Hypocalcemia
- C. Hypermagnesemia
- D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, leg cramps, and cardiac dysrhythmias are classic manifestations of hypokalemia. Potassium plays a vital role in muscle function and cardiac conduction, so a deficiency can lead to these symptoms. Checking the client's laboratory values for potassium levels will help confirm the presence of hypokalemia.
What action should be taken when adding sterile liquids to a sterile field?
- A. Use an expired sterile liquid if the bottle is sealed and unopened.
- B. Consider the sterile field contaminated if it becomes wet during the procedure.
- C. Remove the container cap and place it with the inside facing up on the sterile field.
- D. Hold the container low and pour the solution into a receptacle at the front of the sterile field.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a sterile field becomes wet or damp during a procedure, it is considered contaminated as moisture can allow organisms to wick from the surface and compromise the sterility of the field. It is essential to maintain the integrity of the sterile field to prevent infections and ensure patient safety.
What is the most important instruction for the nurse to provide to a 65-year-old client who attends an adult daycare program, is wheelchair-mobile, and has redness in the sacral area?
- A. Take a vitamin supplement tablet once a day.
- B. Change positions in the chair at least every hour.
- C. Increase daily intake of water or other oral fluids.
- D. Purchase a newer model wheelchair.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a client with redness in the sacral area, the most critical instruction is to change positions in the chair at least every hour. This is crucial to prevent pressure ulcers, which can develop due to prolonged pressure on the skin and underlying tissues. Regular position changes help relieve pressure on vulnerable areas, promoting circulation and reducing the risk of skin breakdown and pressure ulcer formation.
The client is 5 feet from the bathroom door when he states, 'I feel faint.' Before the nurse can get the client to a chair, the client starts to fall. What is the priority action for the nurse to take?
- A. Check the client's carotid pulse.
- B. Encourage the client to get to the toilet.
- C. In a loud voice, call for help.
- D. Gently lower the client to the floor.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The priority action for the nurse in this situation is to gently lower the client to the floor. This action helps prevent injury to both the client and the nurse. It is important to ensure a safe environment and protect the client from falling, as well as to maintain the nurse's own safety while providing care.