Nokea
While providing care to a client with a head injury, the nurse notes that a client exhibits this posture (refer to figure). What should the nurse document that the client is exhibiting?
- A. Flaccidity
- B. Decorticate posturing
- C. Decerebrate posturing
- D. Rigidity in the upper extremities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decortication is abnormal posturing seen in the client with lesions that interrupt the corticospinal pathways. In this posturing, the client's arms, wrists, and fingers are flexed with internal rotation and plantar flexion of the feet and legs extended. Flaccidity indicates weak, soft, and flabby muscles that lack normal muscle tone. Decerebration is abnormal posturing and rigidity characterized by extension of the arms and legs, pronation of the arms, plantar flexion, and opisthotonos. Decerebration is usually associated with dysfunction in the brainstem area. Rigidity indicates hardness, stiffness, or inflexibility. Decerebrate posturing is associated with rigidity.
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Which important parameter should the nurse assess on a daily basis for a client diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome?
- A. Weight
- B. Albumin levels
- C. Activity tolerance
- D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client with nephrotic syndrome typically presents with edema, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. The nurse carefully assesses the fluid balance of the client, which includes daily monitoring of weight, intake and output, edema, and girth measurements. Albumin levels are monitored as they are prescribed, as are the BUN and creatinine levels. The client's activity level is adjusted according to the amount of edema and water retention.
The nurse is measuring the fundal height on a client who is 36 weeks' gestation when the client reports feeling lightheaded. What finding should the nurse expect to note when assessing the client?
- A. Fear
- B. Anemia
- C. A full bladder
- D. Compression of the vena cava
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the uterus may cause supine hypotension syndrome (vena cava syndrome) late in pregnancy. Having the client turn onto her left side or elevating the left buttock during fundal height measurement will prevent the problem. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to this syndrome.
The nurse providing diet teaching to a client experiencing heart failure instructs the client to avoid which food item?
- A. Sherbet
- B. Steak sauce
- C. Apple juice
- D. Leafy green vegetables
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Steak sauce is high in sodium. Leafy green vegetables, any juice (except tomato or V8 brand vegetable), and sherbet are all low in sodium. Clients with heart failure should monitor sodium intake.
The nurse plans care for a client requiring intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes understanding that which are findings that correlate with the need for this type of therapy? Select all that apply.
- A. Hyponatremia
- B. Bounding pulse rate
- C. Chronic kidney disease
- D. Isolated syncope episodes
- E. Rapid, weak, and thready pulse
- F. Abnormal serum and urine osmolality levels
Correct Answer: A,E,F
Rationale: Abnormal assessment findings of major body systems offer clues to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Rapid, weak, and thready pulse is an assessment abnormality found with fluid and electrolyte imbalances, such as hyponatremia. Abnormal serum and urine osmolality are laboratory tests that are helpful in identifying the presence of or risk of fluid imbalances. Isolated episodes of syncope are not indicators for intravenous therapy unless fluid and electrolyte imbalances are identified. A bounding pulse rate is a manifestation of fluid volume excess; therefore, IV fluids are not indicated. Clients with chronic kidney disease experience the inability of the kidneys to regulate the body's water balance; fluid restrictions may be used.
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is prescribed for a client diagnosed with coronary artery disease before a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The nurse administers the medication understanding that it is prescribed for what purpose?
- A. Relieve postprocedure pain.
- B. Prevent thrombus formation.
- C. Prevent postprocedure hyperthermia.
- D. Prevent inflammation of the puncture site.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before PTCA, the client is usually given an anticoagulant, commonly aspirin, to help reduce the risk of occlusion of the artery during the procedure because the aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation.