A client with heart failure is receiving intravenous fluids at 125 mL/hour. The nurse observes an increase in jugular vein distention (JVD) and pedal edema. Which additional assessment should the nurse make before reporting to the healthcare provider?

Observe for change in breathing pattern.

Palpate the volume of pedal pulses.

Assess for inflammation of the calves.

Inspect for distention of peripheral veins.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Increased JVD and pedal edema indicate fluid overload in heart failure, where reduced cardiac output causes venous congestion. Assessing breathing for dyspnea or crackles detects pulmonary edema, as fluid backs into alveoli, impairing gas exchange. This urgent finding guides interventions like diuretics, critical before reporting.

Choice B reason: Palpating pedal pulses assesses arterial flow, not fluid overload causing JVD and edema, which are venous issues in heart failure. Pulses may be normal despite congestion. Breathing changes indicate pulmonary edema, a life-threatening complication, making this assessment more critical for detecting acute decompensation.

Choice C reason: Assessing calf inflammation may detect thrombosis, a heart failure risk, but JVD and edema suggest fluid overload, not clotting. Breathing changes are more urgent, indicating pulmonary edema from alveolar fluid, requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure, unlike inflammation, which is less immediate.

Choice D reason: Inspecting peripheral vein distention confirms venous congestion but is less critical than breathing assessment. In heart failure, fluid overload risks pulmonary edema, where alveolar fluid causes dyspnea. Monitoring breathing detects this severe complication, prioritizing intervention to ensure oxygenation over additional venous assessment.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Positioning the sterile field at hip level maintains sterility but is not specific to uncircumcised clients. Cleaning the meatus before retracting the foreskin prevents infection by removing bacteria first. This is secondary, per infection control and catheterization procedure standards in nursing practice.

Choice B reason: Cleaning the meatus before retracting the foreskin removes bacteria, reducing infection risk in uncircumcised clients. This sequence ensures sterility before exposing sensitive areas, critical for preventing urinary tract infections, per evidence-based catheterization and infection control protocols in urological nursing care.

Choice C reason: Wiping the meatus in backward strokes is incorrect, as circular strokes from meatus outward are standard to avoid contamination. Cleaning before retracting the foreskin is critical for infection prevention. This violates sterile technique, per catheterization and infection control standards in nursing.

Choice D reason: Advancing the catheter before inflating the balloon is standard but not specific to uncircumcised clients. Cleaning the meatus first addresses foreskin-related infection risks. Balloon inflation timing is universal, per indwelling catheter insertion and urological care protocols in nursing practice.

A. Reports difficulties with short-term memory since a traumatic brain injury. B. Describes self as a social drinker who drinks alcoholic beverages daily. C. Client’s medication history includes the frequent use of antidepressants. D. Medical history includes that the client was recently sexually assaulted.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Memory issues from TBI traumatic brain injury warrant cognitive assessment, not CAGE, which screens for alcoholism. Daily drinking suggests potential misuse, requiring CAGE. Memory affects recall, not alcohol screening priority, per substance abuse and neurological assessment standards in nursing admission interviews.

Choice B reason: Daily social drinking raises suspicion for alcohol misuse, warranting the CAGE questionnaire to screen for dependence. CAGE assesses alcohol-related behaviors, critical for identifying alcoholism in clients with regular intake, per substance abuse screening and admission assessment protocols in nursing practice.

Choice C reason: Antidepressant medication use suggests depression, requiring mental health assessment, not CAGE, which is for alcohol misuse. Daily drinking indicates screening need. Antidepressants are unrelated to alcohol patterns, per psychiatric and substance abuse assessment standards in nursing care during admission.

Choice D reason: Sexual assault history trauma requires trauma-informed care, not CAGE, which screens for alcoholism. Daily drinking triggers alcohol misuse screening. Assault history addresses psychological needs, per trauma assessment and substance abuse screening protocols, but CAGE is specific to alcohol in nursing.

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A client with heart failure is receiving intravenous fluids at 125 mL/hour. The nurse observes an increase in jugular vein distention (JVD) and pedal edema. Which additional assessment should the nurse make before reporting to the healthcare provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which action should the nurse implement when inserting an indwelling catheter for an uncircumcised male client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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