Green
A nurse is caring for a group of pediatric clients. Which of the following clients requires immediate intervention?
A: A client who is prescribed digoxin and has had three episodes of vomiting. Reasoning: Answering this item requires application of the acute versus chronic priority setting framework. Using this framework, acute needs are typically the priority need because they pose more of a threat to the client. Because chronic needs usually develop over a period of time, the client has more of an opportunity to adapt to the alteration in health. It is also important to attend to alterations when they are in the acute phase so they don't escalate into a life-threatening event or evolve into a chronic alteration in health. Nursing knowledge might also be needed to determine which option describes an acute need. Vomiting, slow heart rate, and anorexia are clinical findings associated with digoxin toxicity, which is an acute condition. Based on the acute versus chronic priority setting framework, this is the client that requires immediate intervention.
A nurse working the 7 PM to 7 AM shift on the pediatric unit has received report on four post operative clients. Which of the following requires immediate intervention?
A: A preschooler who is postoperative following a tonsillectomy and is experiencing frequent swallowing. Reasoning: Answering this item requires application of the unstable versus stable priority setting framework. Using this framework, unstable clients get priority because of needs that threaten the client's survival. Threats or problems involving the airway, breathing, or circulatory status are considered life-threatening needs that should be addressed first. Clients whose vital signs or laboratory values indicate a risk for becoming unstable are also a higher priority than clients who are stable. Nursing knowledge might also be needed to determine which option describes the most unstable client. A preschooler who is experiencing frequent swallowing following a tonsillectomy could be bleeding, placing the client at risk for hemorrhage. Bleeding from the surgical site can cause the dripping of blood down the back of the throat, which results in frequent swallowing or clearing of the throat and indicates the client could be unstable. Based on the unstable versus stable priority setting framework and nursing knowledge, the client requires immediate intervention. This option is further supported by the ABC priority setting framework.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula and is in skin traction. The client reports pain of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10 under the traction bandage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A: Check pedal pulse. Reasoning: Answering this item requires application of the nursing process priority setting framework. The nursing process is a tool that can be used to plan client care and prioritize nursing actions. Each step of the nursing process is based on the previous step, beginning with assessment or data collection. Before you can formulate a plan of action, implement a nursing intervention, or notify a provider of a change in the client's condition, you must first collect adequate data from the client. Using the nursing process, assessment or data collection should be the first action taken by the nurse so a plan of care can be developed. Pressure on the peroneal nerve can occur when skin traction is applied to lower extremities, which can result in foot drop. This can be manifested as a burning sensation under the traction bandage or boot. Reduced circulatory impairment can also result in the sensation of pain. Based on this information, appropriate interventions can be determined and implemented as a part of the plan of care.
A nurse is assigned to care for four clients. The client with which of the following drainage tubes is at an increased risk for hypokalemia?
A: NG tube to suction. Reasoning: To answer this item, you need nursing knowledge of various drainage tubes, as well as an understanding of fluid and electrolytes, especially potassium. Based on this information, you can determine the drainage tube that causes an increased risk for hypokalemia. This item requires critical thinking because you have to evaluate each option to determine which results in the greatest loss of potassium. Hypokalemia refers to a depletion of potassium and can result from a reduction in total potassium stores or from a temporary shift of extracellular potassium into the cell. Reductions in total potassium are caused by medications, such as diuretics, digitalis, and corticosteroids; Cushing's syndrome; diarrhea; vomiting; and wound drainage among others. Reductions in extracellular potassium caused by potassium shifting back into cells result from alkalosis, hyperinsulinism, total parenteral nutrition, and water intoxication among others. Intestinal suctioning through an NG tube results in the loss of gastric fluids. Potassium exists in large amounts in the GI fluids and is lost when gastric fluids are lost. This client is at an increased risk for hypokalemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intermittent enteral tube feedings and having diarrhea after each feeding. Which of the following actions should the nurse take in an attempt to prevent diarrhea after subsequent feedings?
A: Reduce the rate of the feedings. Reasoning: In this item, you need nursing knowledge of how to administer enteral tube feedings, complications of enteral tube feedings, and appropriate nursing actions in the event of those complications. Based on an understanding of these concepts, you can identify which option describes an intervention the nurse should implement for a client who is receiving enteral tube feedings and has diarrhea. This item requires critical thinking because you have to analyze elements of the provided clinical situation and make a decision based on that analysis. Enteral tube feedings are used for clients who are able to absorb and digest nutrients but are unable to ingest food. Complications of enteral tube feedings include feeding tube regurgitation and aspiration of feedings, delayed gastric emptying, and malabsorption among others. Reducing the rate of feedings is an appropriate action by the nurse to prevent diarrhea after subsequent feedings. A client receiving intermittent enteral tube feedings can experience diarrhea because of the administration of hyperosmolar enteral feedings. To prevent this, administration should be slowed or switched to continuous enteral feedings.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing night sweats and hemoptysis and is suspected to have active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following tests is used to confirm this diagnosis?
A: Sputum culture for acid-fact bacillus. Reasoning: In this item, you need knowledge of the route of transmission and diagnostic criteria of tuberculosis. Based on an understanding of these concepts, you can identify the correct option. This item requires foundational thinking because you have to recall knowledge of the appropriate diagnostic criteria for pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is an airborne organism. Once infected, the bacteria multiply freely after reaching the bronchi or alveoli. Typically, acquired immunity protects individuals from attaining active tuberculosis. Infection is most common among those who are immunocompromised and those who have been in repeated, close contact with someone who has an undiagnosed case of active tuberculosis. The lungs are primarily involved, but the infection can spread to other organs. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include productive cough, fever, fatigue, weight loss, hemoptysis, and night sweats. In cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis, the organism is transmitted through the air because it is found in the sputum and secretions. The presence of acid fast bacillus in the sputum, secretions, or tissues of the client is the only method to confirm the diagnosis of active tuberculosis.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about the diet for dumping syndrome to a client who is postoperative following a gastrectomy. Which of the following food selections by the client indicates the teaching was effective?
A: Toast with peanut butter. Reasoning: In this item, you need knowledge of foods that can and cannot be incorporated in the diet of clients who have dumping syndrome. Based on this knowledge, you can evaluate the appropriateness of the client's food selection. This item requires foundational thinking because you have to recall knowledge related to the causes of dumping syndrome, as well as related nutrition principles. Dumping syndrome results from rapid emptying of the stomach into the small intestine after eating, and manifests as a group of vasomotor symptoms, such as vertigo, tachycardia, syncope, sweating, pallor, and palpitations. Additionally, abdominal distension occurs because of the shift of fluid into the intestines. A diet that restricts some foods and includes others as appropriate food choices reduces the occurrence and severity of dumping syndrome. Peanut butter and toast are allowed or encouraged foods for a client who has dumping syndrome.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a client who is newly diagnosed with hypertension and has been prescribed captopril (Capoten). The nurse should reinforce that which of the following medications has the potential to reduce the antihypertensive effect of captopril?
Answer: Aspirin (Bayer) Reasoning: Aspirin is correct. Aspirin and other NSAIDS can reduce the antihypertensive effects of captopril, which is an ACE inhibitor. The nurse should reinforce to the client that aspirin has the potential to reduce the antihypertensive effect of captopril and should be avoided.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is prescribed buspirone (BuSpar). Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Answer: I can have 1 to 2 alcoholic beverages each week. Reasoning: The content of this question emphasizes the concept of client education by determining which statement by the client indicates effectiveness of the teaching. Client education is the provision of health-related education to clients to facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, adoption of new behaviors, and modification of attitudes. It is important that evaluation of teaching is an ongoing process instead of one that occurs only in the final stages of the teaching process. Continual evaluation allows for adjustments to be made as needed to enhance or improve learning. Buspirone is an anxiolytic medication used to treat anxiety, but is different from benzodiazepines because of the fact that it is not a CNS depressant. Because of this, buspirone does not interfere with CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, or barbiturates, and it is acceptable to have 1 to 2 alcoholic beverages each week. This statement by the client is true and indicates an understanding of the teaching.
A nurse is caring for a child who has leukemia and is prescribed a transfusion of platelets. Which of the following should the client experience as a result of the transfusion?
Answer: Reduced bleeding time. Reasoning: The content of this question emphasizes the concept of safety through an understanding of the purpose of a platelet transfusion. Safety in nursing practice is the minimization of risk factors that can cause injury or harm while promoting quality care and maintaining a secure environment for clients, self, and others. By recognizing and anticipating expected therapeutic outcomes, nurses are better able to evaluate treatment effectiveness, which is essential in preventing or minimizing physical or psychological harm to the client. Platelets are responsible for triggering the process of blood clotting. In response to intrinsic factors, such as abnormal blood, or extrinsic factors, such as inflammation or damage to blood cells because of trauma, platelets form platelet plugs. The formation of a platelet plug then triggers the more formal process of blood coagulation. Clients who have leukemia are prone to bleeding because of low platelet counts and should, therefore, experience a reduced bleeding time as a result of a transfusion of platelets.
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Answer: Tachycardia. Reasoning: Tachycardia is correct. Symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal include tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis, disorientation, and hand tremors. These can progress to visual or tactile hallucinations, paranoid delusions, agitation, hyperthermia, and grand mal seizures. Acute alcohol is a medical emergency and can cause death if not treated with the appropriate interventions. Tachycardia indicates the client is in acute alcohol withdrawal and should be reported to the provider.
