Advance Med Surg Exam #3
A nurse is caring for an elderly bedridden adult. To prevent pressure ulcers, which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan?
Develop a written, individual turning schedule. A turning schedule sheet helps ensure that the client gets turned and, thus, helps prevent pressure ulcers. Turning should occur every 1 to 2 hours — not every 8 hours — for clients who are in bed for prolonged periods.
The nursing student is preparing to care for an ICU client with shock. The instructor asks the student to name the different categories of shock. Which of the following is a category of shock?
Distributive Explanation: The four main categories of shock are hypovolemic, circulatory (distributive), obstructive, and cardiogenic, depending on the cause. Distributive, restrictive, and cardiotonic are not categories of shock.
Bell palsy is a disorder of which cranial nerve?
Facial (VII)
Which is the most common cause of acute encephalitis in the United States?
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
The nurse is administering a medication to the client with a positive inotropic effect. Which action of the medication does the nurse anticipate?
Increase the force of myocardial contraction The nurse realizes that when administering a medication with a positive inotropic effect, the medication increases the force of heart muscle contraction.
A client has sustained a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
Ineffective airway clearance related to brain injury Explanation: Maintaining an airway is always the priority. All the other choices are appropriate nursing diagnoses for this client, but the priority is maintenance of the airway.
The nurse is caring for a client who develops hypotension, declining mental status, and severely decreased urinary output. Which intravenous fluid will the nurse expect to be prescribed for this client?
Lactated Ringer's solution Explanation: This client is demonstrating symptoms of the progressive stage of shock, and fluid replacement is indicated. Intravenous crystalloids commonly used for resuscitation in hypovolemic shock include lactated Ringer's solution. This is an electrolyte solution that contains lactate ions which are converted to bicarbonate which helps buffer the acidosis that occurs in shock. Lactated Ringer's also most closely resembles plasma and is considered a more appropriate first choice solution over 0.9% normal saline.
A client is at risk for pressure ulcers. Which of the following would be most appropriate to include in the plan of care?
Lubricating the skin with a non-irritating lotion Explanation: To help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers, the nurse should lubricate the skin with a bland lotion to keep it soft and pliable.
The nurse in the neurologic ICU is caring for a client who sustained a severe brain injury. Which nursing measures will the nurse implement to help control intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Maintain cerebral perfusion pressure from 50 to 70 mm Hg Explanation: The nurse should maintain cerebral perfusion pressure from 50 to 70 mm Hg to help control increased ICP.
A client with possible bacterial meningitis is admitted to the ICU. What assessment finding would the nurse expect for a client with this diagnosis?
Neck flexion produces flexion of the knees and hips Explanation: Clinical manifestations of bacterial meningitis include a positive Brudzinski sign. Neck flexion producing flexion of knees and hips correlates with a positive Brudzinski sign.
A patient diagnosed with meningitis would be expected to exhibit which of the following clinical manifestations? Select all that apply.
Nuchal rigidity Positive Kernig's sign Positive Brudzinski's sign Photophobia
A rehabilitation nurse is preparing a presentation for clients and caregivers about issues that clients with disabilities may face. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to include in the presentation?
Priority setting is helpful in dealing with the impact of the disability. Explanation: For clients with disabilities, the nurse would emphasize the use of coping strategies and teach the patient how to cope with the disability through priority setting.
Which of the following is the first-line therapy for myasthenia gravis (MG)?
Pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) Explanation: Mestinon, an anticholinesterase medication, is the first-line therapy in MG. It provides symptomatic relief by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine and increasing the relative concentration of available acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
A client has an exacerbation of multiple sclerosis. The physician orders dantrolene (Dantrium), 25 mg P.O. daily. Which assessment finding indicates the medication is effective?
Reduced muscle spasticity Explanation: Dantrolene reduces muscle spasticity. It doesn't increase the ability to sleep or relieve constipation or pain.
The nurse is performing an initial assessment on a client admitted to rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome. On which of the following areas will the nurse focus most heavily?
Respiratory Explanation: Because of its possible rapid progression and neuromuscular respiratory failure, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency.
A client who is disoriented and restless after sustaining a concussion during a car accident is admitted to the hospital. Which nursing diagnosis takes the highest priority in this client's care plan?
Risk for injury Explanation: Because the client is disoriented and restless, the most important nursing diagnosis is Risk for injury.
Which term refers to muscular hypertonicity in a weak muscle, with increased resistance to stretch?
Spasticity Explanation: Spasticity is often associated with weakness, increased deep tendon reflexes, and diminished superficial reflexes.
The nurse receives a call from the caregiver of a client with a spinal cord injury. The caregiver informs you that the client has a reddened, macerated area at the base of the sacrum. What would the nurse suspect is going on with the client?
They have the beginning of a pressure sore.
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Which activity is altered as a result of this diagnosis?
chewing
When the nurse observes that the client has extension and external rotation of the arms and wrists and plantar flexion of the feet, the nurse records the client's posture as
decerebrate. Explanation: Decerebrate posturing is the result of lesions at the midbrain and is more ominous than decorticate posturing.
What is the major clinical use of dobutamine?
increase cardiac output. Explanation: Dobutamine (Dobutrex) increases cardiac output for clients with acute heart failure and those undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
Myasthenia gravis occurs when antibodies attack which receptor sites?
Acetylcholine Explanation: In myasthenia gravis, antibodies directed at the acetylcholine receptor sites impair transmission of impulses across the myoneural junction. Serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid are not receptor sites that are attacked in myasthenia gravis.
An elderly woman diagnosed with osteoarthritis has been referred for care. The client has difficulty ambulating because of chronic pain. When creating a nursing care plan, what intervention will best promote the client's mobility?
Administer an analgesic as prescribed to facilitate the client's mobility. Explanation: At times, mobility is restricted because of pain, paralysis, loss of muscle strength, systemic disease, an immobilizing device (e.g., cast, brace), or prescribed limits to promote healing. If mobility is restricted because of pain, providing pain management through the administration of an analgesic will increase the client's level of comfort during ambulation and allow the client to ambulate.
Which is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Altered respiratory patterns Explanation: Altered respiratory patterns are late signs of increased ICP and may indicate pressure or damage to the brainstem. Headache, irritability, and any change in LOC are early signs of increased ICP. Speech changes, such as slowed speech or slurring, are also early signs of increased ICP.
A female client has been achieving significant improvements in her ADLs since beginning rehabilitation after a brain hemorrhage. The nurse must observe and assess the client's ability to perform ADLs to determine the client's level of independence in self-care and her need for nursing intervention. Which of the following additional considerations should the nurse prioritize?
Appraising the family's involvement in the client's ADLs. Explanation: The nurse should also be aware of the client's medical conditions or other health problems, the effect that they have on the ability to perform ADLs, and the family's involvement in the client's ADLs.
Which nursing intervention is the priority for a client in myasthenic crisis?
Assessing respiratory effort Explanation: A client in myasthenic crisis has severe muscle weakness, including the muscles needed to support respiratory effort. Myasthenic crisis can lead to respiratory failure and death if not recognized early.
A female client reports to a nurse that she experiences a loss of urine when she jogs. The nurse's assessment reveals no nocturia, burning, discomfort when voiding, or urine leakage before reaching the bathroom. The nurse explains to the client that this type of problem is called:
stress incontinence. Explanation: Stress incontinence is a small loss of urine with activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as running, laughing, sneezing, jumping, coughing, and bending. These symptoms occur only in the daytime. Functional incontinence is the inability of a usually continent client to reach the toilet in time to avoid unintentional loss of urine.
A patient undergoing rehabilitation reports problems with constipation. Which suggestion would be least appropriate?
"Keep your fluid intake to fewer than 2 liters per day." Explanation: To promote bowel elimination, the nurse should suggest a daily fluid intake of 2 to 3 liters per day unless contraindicated and encourage the patient to respond to the urge to defecate. Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables and encouraging an increase in physical activity are appropriate to stimulate peristalsis.
The earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increased ICP is:A change in consciousness. Explanation:
A change in consciousness. Explanation: The earliest sign of increasing ICP is a change in the LOC. Any changes in LOC should be reported immediately.
Shock occurs when tissue perfusion is inadequate to deliver oxygen and nutrients to support cellular function. When caring for patients who may develop indicators of shock, the nurse is aware that the most important measurement of shock is:
Blood pressure. Explanation: By the time the blood pressure drops, damage has already been occurring at the cellular and tissue levels. Therefore, the patient at risk for shock must be monitored closely before the blood pressure drops.
The nurse working on the neurological unit is caring for a client with a basilar skull fracture. During the assessment, the nurse expects to observe Battle's sign, which is a sign of basilar skull fracture. Which of the following correctly describes Battle's sign?
Ecchymosis over the mastoid Explanation: With fractures of the base of the skull, an area of ecchymosis (bruising) may be seen over the mastoid and is called Battle's sign.
A 52-year-old married man with two adolescent children is beginning rehabilitation following a motor vehicle accident. The nurse planning the client's care. Who will the client's condition affect?
Him and his entire family Explanation: Clients and families who suddenly experience a physically disabling event or the onset of a chronic illness are the ones who face several psychosocial adjustments, even if the client recovers completely.
A nurse is reviewing a CT scan of the brain, which states that the client has arterial bleeding with blood accumulation above the dura. Which of the following facts of the disease progression is essential to guide the nursing management of client care?
Monitoring is needed as rapid neurologic deterioration may occur. Explanation: The nurse identifies that the CT scan suggests an epidural hematoma. A key component in planning care is the understanding that rapid neurologic deterioration occurs. Symptoms evolve quickly. A crash cart may be kept nearby, but this is not the key information.
A neurologic deficit is best defined as a deficit of the:
central and peripheral nervous systems with decreased, impaired, or absent functioning. Explanation: A client with a neurologic deficit may have decreased, impaired, or absent functioning of the central and peripheral systems.
When teaching a client with newly diagnosed hypertension about the pathophysiology of this disease, the nurse states that arterial baroreceptors, which monitor arterial pressure, are located in the carotid sinus. Which other area should the nurse mention as a site of arterial baroreceptors?
Aorta Explanation: Arterial baroreceptors are located in the carotid sinus and aorta. There aren't any baroreceptors in the brachial artery, radial artery, or right ventricular wall.
The nurse is admitting a client into the rehabilitation unit after an industrial accident. The client's nursing diagnoses include disturbed sensory perception and the nurse identifies that he has decreased strength and dexterity. The nurse should know that this client may need what to accomplish self-care?
Appropriate assistive devices Explanation: Clients with impaired mobility, sensation, strength, or dexterity may need to use assistive devices to accomplish self-care.
Vagus nerve demyelinization, which may occur in Guillain-Barré syndrome, would not be manifested by which of the following?
20/20 vision Explanation: Cranial nerve demyelination can result in a variety of clinical manifestations. Optic nerve demyelination may result in blindness.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department with an onset of pain related to trigeminal neuralgia. What subjective data stated by the patient does the nurse determine triggered the paroxysms of pain?
"I was brushing my teeth." Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition of the fifth cranial nerve that is characterized by paroxysms of sudden pain in the area innervated by any of the three branches of the nerve.
A patient undergoing rehabilitation reports problems with constipation. Which suggestion would be LEAST appropriate?
"Keep your fluid intake to fewer than 2 liters per day." Explanation: To promote bowel elimination, the nurse should suggest a daily fluid intake of 2 to 3 liters per day unless contraindicated and encourage the patient to respond to the urge to defecate. Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables and encouraging an increase in physical activity are appropriate to stimulate peristalsis.
The earliest sign of serious impairment of brain circulation related to increased ICP is:
A change in consciousness. Explanation: The earliest sign of increasing ICP is a change in the LOC. Any changes in LOC should be reported immediately.
A patient sustained a head trauma in a diving accident and has a cerebral hemorrhage located within the brain. What type of hematoma is this classified as?
An intracerebral hematoma Explanation: Intracerebral hemorrhage (hematoma) is bleeding within the brain, into the parenchyma of the brain. It is commonly seen in head injuries when force is exerted to the head over a small area (e.g., missile injuries, bullet wounds, stab injuries).
A nurse is providing education to a client with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS). Which of the following will the nurse include?
Avoid hot temperatures. Explanation: Fatigue affects most people with MS. Avoidance of hot temperatures may help control fatigue.
A client experiencing vomiting and diarrhea for 2 days has a blood pressure of 88/56, a pulse rate of 122 beats/minute, and a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute. The nurse places the client in which position?
Modified Trendelenburg Explanation: The client is experiencing hypovolemic shock as a result of prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. The modified Trendelenburg position is recommended for hypovolemic shock because it promotes the return of venous blood.
A patient in rehabilitation has become dependent on family members' assistance with self-care. What can the nurse do to encourage the patient to become independent? (Select all that apply.)
Motivate the patient to learn and accept responsibilities for self-care. Help the patient identify safe limits of independent activity. Educate the patient in how to perform self-care activities.
A client is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea for 2 days. Blood pressure is 88/56, pulse rate is 122 beats/minute, and respirations are 28 breaths/minute. The nurse starts intravenous fluids. Which of the following prescribed prn medications would the nurse administer next?
ondansetron Explanation: An antiemetic medication, such as ondansetron (Zofran), is administered for vomiting. It would be administered before loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhea so the client would be able to retain the loperamide. There is no indication that the client requires medication for pain (meperidine [Demerol]) or heartburn (magnesium hydroxide [Maalox]).
The nurse is providing care for a client who has limited mobility after a stroke. In order to assess the client for contractures, the nurse should assess the client's:
range of motion. Explanation: Each joint of the body has a normal range of motion. To assess a client for contractures, the nurse should assess whether the client can complete the full range of motion. Assessing DTRs, muscle size, or joint pain does not reveal the presence or absence of contractures.
The nurse receives an order to administer a colloidal solution for a patient experiencing hypovolemic shock. What common colloidal solution will the nurse most likely administer?
5% albumin Explanation: Typically, if colloids are used to treat tissue hypoperfusion, albumin is the agent prescribed. Albumin is a plasma protein; an albumin solution is prepared from human plasma and is heated during production to reduce its potential to transmit disease.
A client has been hospitalized for diagnostic testing. The client has just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which the physician explains is an autoimmune disorder. How would the nurse explain an autoimmune disease to the client?
A disorder in which killer T cells and autoantibodies attack or destroy natural cells—those cells that are "self" Explanation: Autoimmune disorders are those in which killer T cells and autoantibodies attack or destroy natural cells—those cells that are "self." Autoantibodies, antibodies against self-antigens, are immunoglobulins.
For a client who has had a stroke, which nursing intervention can help prevent contractures in the lower legs?
Attaching braces or splints to each foot and leg Explanation: Attaching braces or splints to each foot and leg prevents foot drop (a lower leg contracture) by supporting the feet in proper alignment.
A client experiences an acute myocardial infarction. Current blood pressure is 90/58, pulse is 118 beats/minute, and respirations are 30 breaths/minute. The nurse intervenes first by administering the following prescribed treatment:
Oxygen at 2 L/min by nasal cannula Explanation: In the early stages of cardiogenic shock, the nurse first administers supplemental oxygen to achieve an oxygen saturation exceeding 90%.
Which diagnostic test is used for early diagnosis of HSV-1 encephalitis?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Explanation: PCR is the standard test for early diagnosis of HSV-1 encephalitis.
When developing a plan of care for a patient with impaired physical mobility who must remain on complete bedrest, which of the following would the nurse most likely include to prevent external rotation of the hip?
Trochanter roll Explanation: A trochanter roll extending from the crest of the ilium to the mid-thigh prevents external rotation of the hip.
