A 6-week-old infant with pyloric stenosis is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. Which pre-operative nursing action has the highest priority?
Mark an outline of the "olive-shaped" mass in the right epigastric area.
Instruct parents regarding care of the incisional area.
Monitor amount of intake and infant's response to feedings.
Initiate a continuous infusion of IV fluids per prescription.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Marking an outline of the "olive-shaped" mass in the right epigastric area is not a priority nursing action. The mass is caused by hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter, which obstructs gastric emptying and causes projectile vomiting. The mass may not be palpable in all cases.
Choice B reason: Instructing parents regarding care of the incisional area is a post-operative nursing action, not a pre-operative one. The parents will need to learn how to keep the incision clean and dry, monitor for signs of infection, and administer pain medication as prescribed.
Choice C reason: Monitoring amount of intake and infant's response to feedings is important, but not the highest priority. The infant may have difficulty feeding due to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Increasing oxygen to 6 liters/minute is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can worsen bronchospasm and hypoxia by reducing the hypoxic drive and causing carbon dioxide retention. This is a contraindicated choice.
Choice B: Calling for an Ambu resuscitation bag is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this is not indicated for a client who is conscious and breathing spontaneously. This is an overreaction choice.
Choice C: Instructing the client to lie back in bed is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can increase respiratory distress and compromise airway clearance by reducing lung expansion and increasing abdominal pressure. This is another contraindicated choice.
Choice D: Administering a nebulizer treatment is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can deliver bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents directly to the airways and improve ventilation and oxygenation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: When the client has ankle edema is not the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this is a common finding in pregnancy and does not indicate a neurological or vascular problem. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B: Within the first trimester of pregnancy is not the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this is a routine assessment that can be done at any time during pregnancy and does not reflect any specific risk or complication. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C: If the client has an elevated blood pressure is the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this can indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition that can cause seizures, stroke, and organ damage. DTRs can help detect hyperreflexia, which is a sign of increased intracranial pressure and impending eclampsia. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice D: During admission to labor and delivery is not the most important time for the nurse to assess DTRs, as this is a standard assessment that can be done at any stage of labor and does not signify any urgent or emergent situation. This is another distractor choice.
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