a nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an abdominal surgery which of the following assessments should the nurse prioritize
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ATI RN

ATI RN Exit Exam Quizlet

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an abdominal surgery. Which of the following assessments should the nurse prioritize?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's respiratory rate. This assessment is crucial in the postoperative period to detect any respiratory complications such as hypoxia or respiratory distress. Assessing pain level (Choice A) is important but may not be the top priority as respiratory status takes precedence. Measuring blood pressure (Choice C) is also important but not as critical immediately postoperatively as monitoring respiratory function. Checking bowel sounds (Choice D) is relevant for assessing gastrointestinal function but is typically not the top priority in the immediate postoperative phase.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving morphine for pain management. Which of the following findings indicates the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Urinary retention is an adverse effect of morphine, as it can lead to the relaxation of the detrusor muscle and sphincter constriction in the bladder. Diaphoresis, hypotension, and tachycardia are common side effects of morphine due to its vasodilatory effects and impact on the autonomic nervous system. Diaphoresis is excessive sweating, which can be a normal response to pain or fever. Hypotension and tachycardia can occur due to morphine's vasodilatory effects and its impact on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, the presence of urinary retention would indicate the need for further assessment and intervention.

3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has been prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Check your pulse before taking this medication.' When a patient is prescribed digoxin, it is crucial to monitor their pulse rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) as a side effect. In contrast, choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Taking digoxin with meals is not necessary; it should be taken consistently at the same time every day. Taking digoxin with an antacid is not recommended as it can interfere with the absorption of the medication. While digoxin can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels), patients should not increase their potassium intake without healthcare provider guidance to avoid potential complications.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving enteral feedings through a nasogastric tube. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A gastric residual of 200 mL or more indicates delayed gastric emptying, which can be a sign of potential complications such as aspiration or intolerance to the enteral feedings. This finding should be reported to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible intervention. Choices B, C, and D are within normal limits and do not require immediate reporting. A pH of 5.0 is normal for gastric contents, bowel sounds in all quadrants indicate normal gastrointestinal motility, and a temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F) is within the normal range.

5. What is the appropriate diet for a patient with chronic kidney disease?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A low protein diet is the appropriate choice for a patient with chronic kidney disease because it helps to reduce the buildup of waste products in the body, which the kidneys may struggle to filter out. High protein diets can put extra strain on the kidneys by increasing the workload to eliminate the byproducts of protein metabolism. While low sodium and low potassium diets can also be important for managing certain aspects of kidney disease, the primary focus should be on controlling protein intake to lessen the burden on the kidneys.

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