Nursing Elites

1. A client with a spinal cord injury is preparing to return home from the rehabilitation unit. Which of the following statements by a family member indicates a need for further teaching regarding autonomic dysreflexia?

• A. "I should raise him to a sitting position."?
• B. "I should check for a fecal impaction."?
• C. "I should look for a kink in the urinary catheter tubing."?
• D. "I should observe whether symptoms worsen."?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: If the client develops signs or symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia, they need to be addressed immediately. If the family member is not able to relieve them, a healthcare provider needs to be notified immediately. The statement 'I should observe whether symptoms worsen' indicates a passive approach and does not address the urgency of the situation. Choices A, B, and C are correct as they involve active measures to address autonomic dysreflexia, such as raising the client to a sitting position, checking for a fecal impaction, and looking for a kink in the urinary catheter tubing.

2. A client with cirrhosis of the liver presents with ascites. The physician is to perform a paracentesis. For safety, the nurse should ask the client to:

• A. drink 1000 cc of fluid prior to the procedure to aid in fluid loss.
• B. eat foods low in fat.
• C. empty his bladder prior to the procedure.
• D. assume the prone position.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When performing a paracentesis, the client must be sitting up to allow the fluid to settle in the lower abdomen. To prevent trauma to the bladder while inserting a needle to aspirate the fluid, the bladder must be empty. Choice A is incorrect as excessive fluid intake can make the procedure more difficult due to increased abdominal distension. Choice B is unrelated to the procedure of paracentesis. Choice D is incorrect as the client should be sitting up, not in the prone position, during the procedure.

3. Which of the following statements by an adult child of a client with late-stage Alzheimer's disease indicates a need for further teaching by the nurse?

• A. "I should provide a regular schedule for toileting."?
• B. "I should talk to my father less because he can't communicate."?
• C. "I should give my father oral care after every meal and bedtime."?
• D. "I should assist my father with eating and drinking."?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In late-stage Alzheimer's disease, although verbal communication may be challenging or limited, it is essential to maintain communication through talking and non-verbal cues like touching. Limiting communication can lead to feelings of isolation and worsen the emotional well-being of the individual. Choices A, C, and D reflect appropriate care strategies by addressing toileting needs, oral care, and assistance with eating and drinking, which are crucial aspects of caregiving for a client with late-stage Alzheimer's disease.

4. All of the following interventions should be performed when fetal heart monitoring indicates fetal distress except:

• A. increase maternal fluids
• B. administer oxygen
• C. decrease maternal fluids
• D. turn the mother

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When fetal distress is indicated, interventions are aimed at improving oxygenation and blood flow to the fetus. Increasing maternal fluids helps improve blood flow and oxygen delivery, administering oxygen increases oxygenation levels, and turning the mother can help optimize fetal oxygenation. Decreasing maternal fluids would negatively impact blood volume and can worsen fetal distress, making it the exception among the listed interventions. Therefore, decreasing maternal fluids should not be performed when fetal distress is present.

5. A nurse discharge planner is preparing a client for discharge from an acute care setting. The nurse assesses that skilled home care services are clinically indicated. This assessment is based on all of the following indicators except:

• A. the client has been admitted to the hospital three times in the last 2 months.
• B. the client has a Foley catheter.
• C. the client's family is available to care for him 24 hours a day.
• D. the client is ordered to continue IV antibiotics 5 days post discharge.

Correct answer: V

Rationale: Family availability to provide care and assistance is not an indicator for skilled home care services. In fact, the nurse might see an opportunity for family education to meet the client's needs so that less community support is needed. This should be discussed and negotiated with the family. Frequent hospital readmissions indicate that the client has not been able to manage either due to condition instability or lack of care needs being met, which is a red flag for home care services to monitor and meet those needs appropriately. A Foley catheter requires home health care due to infection potential and care requirements. IV antibiotics also necessitate home care for maintaining line patency and assessing the site.

Similar Questions