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While performing a physical assessment on a 6-month-old infant, the nurse observes head lag. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse perform first?
- A. Ask the parents to allow the infant to lie on his stomach to promote muscle development.
- B. Notify the physician because a developmental or neurological evaluation is indicated.
- C. Document the findings as abnormal in the nurse's notes.
- D. Explain to the parents that their child is likely to have developmental delays.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Head lag should be completely resolved by 4 months of age. Continuing head lag at 6 months of age indicates the need for further developmental or neurological evaluation. Laying the infant on his stomach promotes muscle development of the neck and shoulder muscles, but because of the age of this child, a referral should be the first action. The findings are abnormal for a 6-month-old infant. Significant head lag can be seen in infants with Down syndrome and hypoxia, as well as neurological and other metabolic disorders. While some of these disorders might include developmental delays, stating this to the parents without a proper evaluation can cause unnecessary distress. The priority is to identify the cause of the head lag through a medical evaluation before discussing potential outcomes with the parents.
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A pregnant client asks a nurse about the use of noninvasive acupressure as a complementary alternative therapy to relieve nausea. The nurse provides which instruction?
- A. It is safe to try any type of complementary alternative therapy to relieve nausea
- B. The physician or nurse-midwife needs to provide a prescription for acupressure devices
- C. Devices that apply pressure alone are available over the counter
- D. Complementary alternative therapies should not be used during pregnancy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Devices that apply pressure alone are available over the counter.' Acupressure over the Neiguan acupuncture point can be used as a complementary alternative therapy to relieve nausea during pregnancy. It can be performed with devices that apply pressure alone, which are available over the counter. Acupressure devices that apply electrical impulses over this point require a prescription. It is not safe to try any type of complementary alternative therapy during pregnancy, as some may be harmful to the mother and fetus. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client about the availability of over-the-counter pressure devices for acupressure, which are generally safe to use.
A multigravida pregnant woman asks the nurse when she will start to feel fetal movements. Around which week of gestation does the nurse tell the mother that fetal movements are first noticed?
- A. 16 weeks
- B. 6 weeks
- C. 8 weeks
- D. 12 weeks
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fetal movements (quickening) are first noticed by multigravida pregnant women at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation and gradually increase in frequency and strength. This is when the mother typically begins to feel the baby's movements. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because fetal movements are not felt as early as 6, 8, or 12 weeks of gestation. At 6 weeks, the embryo's movements are not yet strong enough to be felt by the mother. By 8 weeks, the movements are still too subtle to be perceived. At 12 weeks, although fetal movements start, they are usually not strong enough to be felt by the mother.
A month after receiving a blood transfusion, an immunocompromised client develops fever, liver abnormalities, a rash, and diarrhea. The nurse should suspect this client has:
- A. nothing related to the blood transfusion.
- B. graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
- C. myelosuppression.
- D. an allergic response to a recent medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GVHD occurs when white blood cells in donor blood attack the tissues of an immunocompromised recipient.
A patient has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which of the following is not a clinical sign of diabetes mellitus?
- A. Polyphagia
- B. Polyuria
- C. Metabolic acidosis
- D. Lower extremity edema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A-C are associated with diabetes mellitus.
A nurse is preparing to assess a client for the presence of the Tinel sign. Which action does the nurse take to elicit this sign?
- A. Testing for the strength of each muscle joint
- B. Percussing at the location of the median nerve
- C. Checking for repetitive movements in the joints
- D. Asking the client to flex the wrist 90 degrees while holding the hands back to back
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Tinel sign is elicited by percussing at the location of the median nerve at the wrist. In carpal tunnel syndrome, this test can produce burning and tingling along the nerve's distribution. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Testing for the strength of each muscle joint and checking for repetitive movements in the joints involve different assessments unrelated to the Tinel sign. Asking the client to flex the wrist 90 degrees while holding the hands back to back is associated with the Phalen test, which is another evaluation for carpal tunnel syndrome.