A client who is terminally ill has an advance directive that stipulates no resuscitative measures are to be taken. The client's death is imminent and the family is in the client's room. The client is currently exhibiting Cheyne-Stokes respirations and has a blood pressure of 60/30 mm Hg. Which is the priority nursing action?

Allow privacy for the family and client to express their feelings to one another.

Apply an automatic blood pressure cuff and take readings every 15 minutes.

Teach the client's family how to use an oral suction device to clear the airway.

Elevate the head of the client's bed and apply oxygen using a face mask.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Allowing privacy for the family and client is a compassionate and appropriate action, especially as the client's death is imminent. This respects the client's wishes and provides a supportive environment for the family to process their emotions and say their goodbyes.
B.   Continuously measuring blood pressure in this scenario is less appropriate because the client is in the final stages of life and their focus should be on comfort rather than monitoring vital signs. Frequent blood pressure measurements may be distressing for the family and do not align with the goals of end- of-life care, which prioritize comfort and dignity.
C.   Teaching the family to use an oral suction device is not appropriate at this stage because the client is actively dying, and such interventions are not typically useful or necessary in end-of-life care. The focus should be on providing comfort rather than invasive procedures or teaching new skills to family members.
D.   Applying oxygen and elevating the head of the bed can be appropriate interventions for clients experiencing respiratory distress; however, this may conflict with the advance directive if the directive explicitly states no resuscitative measures

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. While this breakfast is healthy and nutritious, it does not contain significant amounts of calcium or vitamin D, which are essential for bone health.
B. Bran muffins, mixed fruit, and orange juice are all good sources of calcium and vitamin D, two essential nutrients for bone health. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is recommended for individuals with osteoporosis to help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
C. While granola bars and grapefruit juice can be healthy, they may not provide enough calcium and vitamin D to meet the nutritional needs of a client with osteoporosis.
D. While skim milk is a good source of calcium, the bagel and jelly do not provide significant amounts of calcium or vitamin D.

A. Ask the client to describe how they are feeling. B. Administer a PRN dose of a prescribed analgesic. C. Document that the client denies pain in the nurse's notes. D. Confront the client about inconsistent behavior and response.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Asking the client to describe their feelings provides an opportunity to explore their symptoms in more detail, which might help in understanding their pain better. This approach respects the client's experience and opens a dialogue to assess their discomfort more accurately, especially if they are not expressing it verbally or are having difficulty quantifying it.
B. Administering medication without further assessment might be premature. The client's denial of pain and the presence of grimacing and guarding behavior suggest that there may be underlying discomfort, but it's crucial to assess the situation more thoroughly before administering medication.
C. While documenting the client’s verbal denial of pain is important, it should not be the only action taken. The client's non-verbal cues such as grimacing and guarding behavior suggest that they might be experiencing pain despite their verbal denial.
D. Confronting the client could be perceived as accusatory and might make them feel defensive or uncomfortable. It's important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding rather than confrontation.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which breakfast selection indicates that the client understands the nurse's instructions about the dietary management of osteoporosis?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

An older adult client grimaces and demonstrates guarding behavior, but denies experiencing pain when asked by the nurse to rate the pain on a numeric scale. Which action should the nurse take next?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

When preparing to change a client's sterile dressing, the nurse pours sterile solution over a package of gauze pads as seen in the picture. Which should the nurse do next?

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