a client presents with severe dehydration due to prolonged vomiting what is the nurses priority intervention
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Nursing Elites

HESI RN

HESI Exit Exam RN Capstone

1. A client presents with severe dehydration due to prolonged vomiting. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the client's skin turgor and mucous membranes. When a client presents with severe dehydration, assessing skin turgor (elasticity of the skin) and mucous membranes (such as checking for dryness in the mouth) is crucial in determining the extent of dehydration. Encouraging the client to drink clear fluids (Choice A) may be important but assessing dehydration severity takes precedence. Monitoring vital signs (Choice C) is essential but assessing dehydration status comes first. Administering an antiemetic (Choice D) addresses vomiting but does not directly assess dehydration.

2. A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What should the nurse teach the client about lithium toxicity?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Clients taking lithium should avoid NSAIDs as they can increase lithium levels leading to toxicity. It is essential to monitor lithium levels regularly and maintain hydration to prevent toxicity. Reporting symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is important, but the key teaching point regarding lithium toxicity is to avoid NSAIDs.

3. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin, and their INR is elevated. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An elevated INR in clients taking warfarin increases the risk of bleeding, indicating the dose may be too high. The nurse's priority action is to notify the healthcare provider immediately and hold the next dose of warfarin to prevent bleeding complications. Administering vitamin K is not the first-line intervention for an elevated INR. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is important but not the priority over contacting the healthcare provider. Increasing the warfarin dosage can exacerbate the risk of bleeding and is contraindicated.

4. The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) positioning a newly admitted client who has a seizure disorder. The client is supine, and the UAP is placing soft pillows along the side rails. What action should the nurse take?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to inform the UAP that the pillows should be removed immediately. Soft pillows along the side rails do not provide sufficient protection during a seizure. The pillows could potentially increase the risk of injury, such as hitting the head or limbs against the hard side rails. Requesting firm padding or ensuring that the side rails are padded are not as effective as removing the pillows to prevent harm to the client. Leaving the pillows in place without addressing the potential risks would not be in the best interest of the client's safety.

5. When assessing a client with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder who reports taking a handful of medications, what information is most important to obtain?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to obtain information on what drugs the client used in the suicide attempt. This information is crucial for assessing the severity of the overdose, potential drug interactions, and determining the appropriate treatment plan. Choice B is not as urgent as identifying the drugs taken during the suicide attempt. Choice C, while important, is not as immediately critical as knowing the specific medications involved. Choice D is unrelated to the immediate medical needs of the client.

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