A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease reports epigastric pain. Which action should the nurse take first?

Administer an antacid as prescribed

Assess the characteristics of the pain

Check for recent NSAID use

Obtain a stool sample for occult blood

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Administering an antacid relieves epigastric pain but is premature without assessing pain characteristics. Pain in peptic ulcer disease may indicate complications like perforation, requiring urgent evaluation. Assessment guides whether antacids or other interventions are appropriate, prioritizing patient safety.

Choice B reason: Assessing pain characteristics (e.g., location, intensity, radiation) is the first step, as epigastric pain in peptic ulcer disease may signal complications like bleeding or perforation. This data guides interventions, ensuring timely management of potentially life-threatening conditions, making it the priority action.

Choice C reason: Checking NSAID use identifies ulcer triggers but is secondary to pain assessment. Pain characteristics determine urgency, as severe or radiating pain may indicate perforation, requiring immediate action. Assessment provides critical data before investigating contributing factors like medication history.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a stool sample for occult blood detects gastrointestinal bleeding but is not the first step. Assessing pain characteristics identifies urgent complications like perforation, guiding whether diagnostic tests or interventions are needed, making pain assessment the initial priority.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Imbalanced nutrition due to anorexia and dysphagia is significant in esophageal cancer, as it risks weight loss and weakness. However, pain at 8/10 is an acute, distressing symptom requiring immediate relief to improve quality of life, making it the priority over nutritional deficits.

Choice B reason: Risk for aspiration from dysphagia is a concern in esophageal cancer, as tumor obstruction can cause swallowing issues. While serious, aspiration is a potential risk, whereas severe pain is an immediate, actual problem, making pain management the priority to alleviate current suffering.

Choice C reason: Anxiety and grieving are valid in esophageal cancer due to its prognosis, but a pain level of 8/10 is an urgent physiological need. Addressing pain first improves the client’s ability to cope with psychological distress, prioritizing physical comfort over emotional concerns.

Choice D reason: Chronic pain from tumor-related tissue destruction, rated 8/10, is the priority, as severe pain causes significant distress and impairs function. Effective pain management enhances comfort, facilitates other interventions, and addresses the client’s immediate suffering, making it the most urgent nursing problem.

A. Limit potassium-rich foods B. Increase protein intake C. Restrict carbohydrate consumption D. Encourage high-sodium foods

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Limiting potassium-rich foods is critical in chronic kidney disease, as impaired renal excretion causes hyperkalemia, risking cardiac arrhythmias. Foods like bananas and oranges are restricted to maintain safe potassium levels, making this the priority dietary teaching to prevent life-threatening complications.

Choice B reason: Increasing protein intake is inappropriate, as chronic kidney disease requires protein restriction to reduce uremic toxins and kidney workload. Potassium restriction is prioritized, as hyperkalemia poses an immediate cardiac risk, making it the essential dietary focus over protein adjustments.

Choice C reason: Restricting carbohydrates is not standard in chronic kidney disease unless diabetes is present. Potassium restriction is critical, as elevated potassium levels from impaired renal clearance cause arrhythmias, making it the priority dietary intervention to ensure cardiac safety.

Choice D reason: Encouraging high-sodium foods is incorrect, as sodium restriction prevents fluid retention and hypertension in chronic kidney disease. Potassium restriction is the priority, as hyperkalemia directly threatens cardiac function, making it the essential dietary focus over sodium concerns.

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A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease reports epigastric pain. Which action should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The client reports a pain level of 8 on a 0 to 10 scale, dysphagia, anorexia, anxiety, and a hoarse voice. Which nursing problem is the priority for this client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic kidney disease. Which dietary restriction should the nurse emphasize?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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