1. A nurse is assigned to care for a client with chronic renal failure who
is undergoing hemodialysis through an internal arteriovenous (AV) fistula in
... [Show More] the right arm. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement in caring for the client? Select all that apply.
A) Assessing the radial pulse in the right extremity
B) Using the left arm to take blood pressure readings
C) Drawing predialysis blood specimens from the left arm D) Assessing the area over the AV fistula for a bruit and thrill each shift
E) Placing a pressure dressing over the site after each dialysis treatment
F) Administering intravenous (IV) fluids through the venous site of the AV fistula as needed: Answer(s): A,B,C,D
Rationale: Several precautions must be observed to ensure the function of an internal AV fistula. The nurse assesses the fistula, and the distal portion of the extremity, for adequate circulation; checks for a bruit and a thrill by means of auscultation or palpation over the access site; monitors the radial pulse in the extremity; and avoids taking blood pressure readings or drawing blood from the arm with the AV fistula. Venipuncture is avoided in the extremity bearing the AV fistula. Blood is never drawn from the AV fistula, and the AV fistula is not used for the administration of IV fluids. The AV fistula site is not covered with a pressure dressing after dialysis.
2. A nurse is evaluating outcomes for a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which of the following outcomes does the nurse recognize as optimal res- piratory outcomes for the client? Select all that apply.
A) Normal deep tendon reflexes
B) Improved skeletal muscle tone
C) Absence of paresthesias in the lower extremities
D) Clear sounds in the lower lung fields bilaterally
E) Po2 of 85% and Pco2 of 40 mm Hg: Answer(s): D,E
Rationale: Satisfactory respiratory outcomes include clear breath sounds on aus- cultation, clear mentation, spontaneous breathing, normal vital capacity, and nor- mal arterial blood gases. The ABG results listed here — a Po2 of 85% and a Pco2 of 40 mm Hg — are normal. The presence of normal deep tendon reflexes, improved skeletal muscle tone, and absence of paresthesias in the lower extremities reflect improvement in the symptoms associated with Guillain-Barré but are not specific to a respiratory outcome.
3. A nurse on the telemetry unit is caring for a client who has had a my- ocardial infarction and is now attached to a cardiac monitor. The nurse, monitoring the client's cardiac rhythm, notes the rhythm depicted in the
image. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse take? (Rhythm is continuous up and down in pic)
A) Calling the rapid response team
B) Preparing the client for cardioversion
C) Asking the client to bear down and cough
D) Preparing to administer diltiazem (Cardiazem): Answer: A
Rationale: This pattern indicates ventricular fibrillation (VF). Clients who have sustained a myocardial infarction are at great risk for VF. With the onset of VF the client feels faint, then immediately loses consciousness and becomes pulseless and apneic. There is no blood pressure, and heart sounds are absent. The goals of treatment are to terminate VF promptly and convert it to an organized rhythm. Because defibrillation is the immediate treatment, the nurse must call the rapid response team and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The client would not be able to bear down or cough. Cardioversion is a synchronized countershock that may be performed in emergencies for unstable ventricular or supraventricular tachydysrhythmias or electively for stable tachydysrhythmias that are resistant to medical therapies such as the administration of diltiazem (Cardiazem).
4. A nurse developing a plan of care for a client with a spinal cord injury includes measures to prevent autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia). Which of the following interventions does the nurse incorporate into the plan to prevent this complication?
A) Keeping a fan running in the client's room
B) Keeping the linens wrinkle-free under the client
C) Limiting bladder catheterization to once every 12 hours
D) Avoiding the administration of enemas and rectal suppositories: Answer: B
Rationale: The most frequent causes of autonomic dysreflexia are a distended bladder and impacted feces in the rectum. Straight catheterization should be performed every 4 to 6 hours, and the Foley catheter should be checked frequently to prevent kinks in the tubing. Constipation and fecal impaction are other causes, so maintaining bowel regularity is important. Other causes include stimulation of the skin by tactile, thermal, or painful stimuli. The nurse renders care in such a way as to minimize risk in these areas.
5. A nurse provides home care instructions to a client who has been fitted with a halo device to treat a cervical fracture. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further instruction?
A) "I need to get more fluids and fiber into my diet."
B) "I should cut my food into small pieces before I eat."
C) "I need to put powder under the vest twice a day to prevent sweating."
D) "I have to check the pin sites every day and watch for signs of infection."-
: Answer: C
Rationale: The client should cleanse the skin under the lambs-wool liner each day to prevent rashes or sores. Powder or lotions should be used only sparingly or not at all because they may cake, resulting in skin irritation. The client should increase intake of fluid and fiber to help prevent constipation. Food should be cut into small pieces to facilitate chewing and swallowing. The client should also use a straw for drinking. The pin sites should be checked daily for signs of infection.
6. A nurse is caring for client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). In which position should the nurse maintain the client?
A) Supine, with the head extended
B) Side-lying, with the neck flexed
C) Supine, with the head turned to the side
D) Head midline and elevated 30 to 45 degrees: Answer: D
Rationale: The client with increased ICP should be positioned with the head in a neutral midline position. It is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure that all those delivering care to the client maintain the proper positioning. The client should avoid flexing or extending the neck or turning the neck side to side. The head of the bed should be raised to 30 to 45 degrees. Use of proper positioning promotes venous drainage from the cranium to keep ICP down.
7. A client with a basilar skull fracture has clear fluid leaking from the ears. The nurse should:
A) Assess the clear fluid for protein
B) Check the clear fluid for the presence of glucose
C) Place cotton balls or dry gauze loosely in the ears
D) Use an otoscope to assess the tympanic membrane for rupture: Answer: B
Rationale: Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ears or nose may ac- company basilar skull fracture. CSF can be distinguished from other body fluids because it will separate into bloody and yellow concentric rings on dressing mate- rial, a phenomenon referred to as the halo sign. It also tests positive for glucose. CSF does not contain protein. The presence of CSF indicates a disruption in the integrity of the cranium. Therefore inserting cotton balls, gauze, or an otoscope into the ear puts the client at risk for infection.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has just undergone cardioversion. Which of the following interventions is the nurse's priority after this procedure?
A) Administering oxygen
B) Monitoring the blood pressure
C) Administering antidysrhythmic medications
D) Monitoring the client's level of consciousness: Answer: A
Rationale: Nursing responsibilities after cardioversion include maintenance of a patent airway, oxygen administration, assessment of vital signs and level of con- sciousness, and detection of dysrhythmias. The priority nursing intervention here is administering oxygen.
9. A client with diabetes mellitus who is scheduled to have blood drawn for determination of the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level asks the nurse why the test is necessary if he is performing blood glucose monitoring at home. The nurse tells the client that this test is used specifically to:
A) Detect diabetic complications
B) Assess long-term glycemic control
C) Determine whether the client is at risk for hypoglycemia
D) Determine whether the prescribed insulin dosage is adequate: Answer: B Rationale: The HbA1C reading provides an indication of glycemic control over the preceding 3 months. An HbA1C value of less than 7% indicates good glycemic control. When increases in the blood glucose occur, some glucose molecules attach themselves to red blood cells (RBCs) and remain there for the life of the RBCs. Therefore a high value on this test is correlated with a high blood glucose level, indicating poor long-term control of blood glucose, which often leads to the development of complications in the client with diabetes mellitus. The other options are not purposes for this test.
10. A nurse caring for a client with AIDS is monitoring the client for signs of complications. Which of the following findings would cause the nurse to suspect infection with Pneumocystis jiroveci? Select all that apply.
A) Diarrhea
B) Tachypnea
C) Pedal edema
D) Intermittent fever
E) Dyspnea when ambulating
F) Expectoration of frothy mucus: Answer(s): B, D, E
Rationale: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is a very common and severe op- portunistic infection affecting the client with AIDS. Clinical manifestations include dyspnea, nonproductive cough, intermittent fever, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and tachypnea. Persons with advanced disease may exhibit crackles, decreased breath sounds, and cyanosis. Diarrhea and pedal edema are not associated with this infection. [Show Less]