Nursing Elites

1. After a renal biopsy, which intervention should the nurse include in the post-procedure plan of care?

• A. Restricting fluid intake for the first 24 hours
• B. Periodically testing the urine for occult blood
• C. Avoiding the administration of opioid analgesics
• D. Having the client ambulate in the room and hall for short distances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a renal biopsy, it is essential to maintain bed rest and frequently assess the client's vital signs and the puncture site. The nurse should test the urine periodically for occult blood to detect any bleeding, which could be a complication of the procedure. Restricting fluid intake for the first 24 hours is not necessary after a renal biopsy and could potentially lead to dehydration. Avoiding the administration of opioid analgesics is not a standard intervention post-renal biopsy unless contraindicated for a specific reason. Having the client ambulate in the room and hall for short distances is generally not recommended immediately after a renal biopsy due to the need for bed rest to prevent complications.

2. Which of the following is a key symptom of appendicitis?

• A. Right lower quadrant pain.
• B. Left lower quadrant pain.
• C. Generalized abdominal pain.
• D. Rebound tenderness.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Choice A: Right lower quadrant pain is a classic and key symptom of appendicitis. Pain in the right lower quadrant is typically the initial symptom and is a result of inflammation and irritation of the appendix. This pain can start around the umbilicus and then migrate to the right lower quadrant. It is important to note that appendicitis rarely presents with pain in the left lower quadrant or generalized abdominal pain. Rebound tenderness, indicated in Choice D, is a sign of peritoneal irritation and is associated with appendicitis, but it is not as characteristic as the right lower quadrant pain in the initial presentation of appendicitis.

3. The nurse is caring for a 70-kg patient who is receiving gentamicin (Garamycin) 85 mg 4 times daily. The patient reports experiencing ringing in the ears. The nurse will contact the provider to discuss

• A. decreasing the dose to 50 mg QID.
• B. giving the dose 3 times daily.
• C. obtaining a serum drug level.
• D. ordering a hearing test.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient receiving gentamicin (Garamycin) reports experiencing ringing in the ears, it is crucial to consider the possibility of ototoxicity. Ototoxicity is a known adverse effect of aminoglycosides. The appropriate action for the nurse in this situation is to contact the provider to discuss obtaining a serum drug level. This is important to assess the drug concentration in the patient's blood, which can help determine if the ringing in the ears is related to the medication. Decreasing the dose or changing the dosing frequency without assessing the serum drug level may not address the underlying issue and could potentially lead to suboptimal treatment. Ordering a hearing test may be necessary at a later stage if the serum drug level indicates a concern. Therefore, option C, obtaining a serum drug level, is the most appropriate action to take in this scenario.

4. A client with chronic kidney disease missed dialysis yesterday to attend a funeral. The client's wife calls the home health nurse and reports that her husband is lethargic and hard to arouse. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide?

• A. Apply the client's home oxygen.
• B. Check for a thrill and bruit at the client's dialysis access site.
• C. Ensure the client avoids salt intake for the rest of the day.
• D. Take the client to the emergency department (ED).

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the most crucial instruction for the nurse to provide is to take the client to the emergency department (ED). Missing dialysis can lead to severe complications in clients with chronic kidney disease, such as electrolyte imbalances and fluid overload. Lethargy and difficulty in arousing the client suggest a critical situation that requires immediate medical attention. Applying home oxygen, checking the dialysis access site, and ensuring salt intake avoidance, although important, are not as urgent as seeking emergency care to address the potential severe complications from missed dialysis.

5. The nurse assesses a client who is newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and observes that the client's eyeballs are protuberant, causing a wide-eyed appearance and eye discomfort. Based on this finding, which action should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

• A. Assess for signs of increased intracranial pressure
• B. Prepare to administer intravenous levothyroxine
• C. Review the client's serum electrolyte values
• D. Obtain a prescription for artificial tear drops

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In hyperthyroidism, eye discomfort due to protuberant eyeballs (exophthalmos) can be alleviated by using artificial tear drops. These drops help prevent complications associated with dry eyes and promote comfort. Assessing for signs of increased intracranial pressure (Choice A) is not directly related to the client's eye discomfort from hyperthyroidism. Administering intravenous levothyroxine (Choice B) is not the appropriate intervention for managing eye discomfort in hyperthyroidism. Reviewing serum electrolyte values (Choice C) is important in hyperthyroidism but is not directly addressing the client's current eye discomfort and protuberant eyeballs.

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