A client is brought to the hospital because of severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The client reports increased pain in the abdomen and in the epigastric region radiating to the back when lying supine. Upon physical assessment, the nurse finds that the client has fever and hypotension.
What should the nurse infer from these findings?
The client has chronic pancreatitis.
The client has cholecystitis.
The client has cholelithiasis.
The client has acute pancreatitis.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale: Symptoms and findings described align more with an acute, severe condition rather than a chronic one.
Choice B rationale: While cholecystitis can present with similar symptoms, the radiation of pain to the back is more indicative of a different condition.
Choice C rationale: Cholelithiasis (gallstones) might cause abdominal pain but typically doesn’t lead to fever and hypotension.
Choice D rationale: Symptoms including severe abdominal pain, radiation to the back, fever, and hypotension suggest acute pancreatitis, a potentially serious condition requiring urgent medical attention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: This is a positive Trousseau's sign, which indicates hypocalcemia or tetany. It is not related to meningitis or meningeal irritation.
Choice B rationale: Kernig's sign is indicated when there is resistance and pain with knee extension and hip flexion, suggesting meningeal irritation.
Choice C rationale: This is a positive Homan's sign, which indicates deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis. It is not related to meningitis or meningeal irritation.
Choice D rationale: This is a sign of nuchal rigidity, which indicates meningeal irritation, but it is not specific to Kernig's sign. Nuchal rigidity can also be caused by other conditions such as cervical arthritis or muscle spasm.
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Small bowel obstructions typically present with diffuse, crampy abdominal pain rather than localized pain in the right lower quadrant.
Choice B rationale: While fever can be present in some cases, it's not a consistent finding with small bowel obstruction unless there's perforation.
Choice C rationale: Common symptoms of small bowel obstruction due to the buildup of contents proximal to the obstruction.
Choice D rationale: A key feature of small bowel obstruction due to the blockage preventing normal bowel movements.
Choice E rationale: Accumulation of gas and fluid above the obstruction causes abdominal distention.
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