how should a nurse assess a patient with suspected sepsis
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Nursing Elites

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ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Answers

1. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient with suspected sepsis?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing a patient with suspected sepsis, it is crucial to monitor vital signs like temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Administering antibiotics promptly is also vital to treat the infection causing sepsis. This approach helps in preventing the progression of sepsis to severe stages and reduces the risk of complications. Choice B is incorrect because only monitoring signs of infection and confusion may delay necessary treatment with antibiotics. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses only on fever and oxygen saturation, missing other important vital signs. Choice D is incorrect because assessing for confusion alone is not sufficient, and administering fluids should be guided by the patient's fluid status rather than being an initial step in suspected sepsis assessment.

2. What should a person recommend to a client experiencing constipation?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Increasing dietary fiber is an effective recommendation for clients experiencing constipation as it helps promote regular bowel movements. Choice A, increasing fluid intake, is also important but the most appropriate initial recommendation for constipation is to increase dietary fiber. Choice C, administering a laxative, should not be the first-line recommendation and is typically considered after dietary and lifestyle interventions. Choice D, encouraging bed rest, does not directly address constipation relief or prevention.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a situational crisis following the loss of a job. The client states, 'I don't think I can go through this again.' Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse's priority is to determine if the client is experiencing psychotic thinking as it addresses the immediate safety concern. Psychotic thinking may pose a risk to the client's safety or the safety of others. Referring the client to a mental health counselor (choice A) may be appropriate but not the priority when safety is a concern. Encouraging the client to express their feelings (choice B) and asking about their social support system (choice D) are essential aspects of care but are secondary to addressing immediate safety issues.

4. What are the nursing interventions for a patient with hypokalemia?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct intervention for a patient with hypokalemia is to administer potassium supplements and monitor the ECG. Potassium supplements help correct the low potassium levels in the body, while ECG monitoring is essential to detect any cardiac arrhythmias associated with hypokalemia. Choice B is incorrect because a high-sodium diet would worsen hypokalemia by further depleting potassium levels. Choice C is incorrect as it only focuses on monitoring symptoms and providing dietary education, but does not address the immediate need to correct potassium levels. Choice D is also incorrect as administering diuretics would exacerbate hypokalemia by increasing potassium loss.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Bradycardia is a common sign of hypoglycemia due to the body's response to low blood sugar. During hypoglycemia, the body releases epinephrine, leading to sympathetic nervous system activation. This can result in bradycardia as a compensatory mechanism to preserve glucose for vital organs such as the brain. Tachycardia, hypotension, and diaphoresis are more commonly associated with hypoglycemia when it progresses to severe stages and the body's compensatory mechanisms are overwhelmed.

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