A client's wife has just learned that her husband is terminally ill. She is sitting in the corner of the client's room crying, and says to the nurse, "I feel as if I'm already so alone." Which action should the nurse take first?

Explain that alternative treatment options may be helpful.

Encourage the wife to share her feelings.

Offer reassurance that she is not alone.

Remind her that her husband may still live a long time.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because explaining that alternative treatment options may be helpful can be insensitive and unrealistic, as it may raise false hopes or imply that the husband's condition is not serious.

Choice B Reason: This is correct because encouraging the wife to share her feelings can help her cope with her grief and express her emotions in a supportive environment. The nurse should use active listening and empathic responses.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because offering reassurance that she is not alone can be dismissive and invalidating, as it may minimize her feelings or imply that she should not feel lonely.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because reminding her that her husband may still live a long time can be dishonest and inappropriate, as it may contradict the medical prognosis or imply that she should not prepare for his death.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A: Remind the UAP to dry between the client’s toes completely is not the best action because it does not address the risk of spillage and wetness on the bed. Drying between the toes is important to prevent fungal infections, but it can be done after removing the basin.

Choice B: Advise the UAP that this procedure is damaging to the skin is not the best action because it is not accurate and may cause confusion. Soaking the foot in warm water is not harmful to the skin, unless it is too hot or too long.

Choice C: Add skin cream to the basin of water while the foot is soaking is not the best action because it does not solve the problem and may waste the cream. Skin cream should be applied after drying the foot, not mixed with water.

Choice D: Remove the basin of water from the client’s bed immediately is the best action because it prevents potential hazards such as soaking, infection, or electric shock. The nurse should ensure that the bed is dry and clean before continuing with the bath.

A. Switch to a non-rebreather mask. B. Remove the nasal cannula. C. Increase the oxygen to 3 L/minute. D. Verify the placement of the pulse oximeter.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Switching to a non-rebreather mask is not the immediate action to take. Non-rebreather masks deliver a high concentration of oxygen, typically reserved for severe hypoxia. The patient’s oxygen saturation is low, but not critically low. It’s important to first ensure the accuracy of the reading before escalating oxygen delivery methods.

Choice B reason: Removing the nasal cannula is not advisable. The patient is postoperative and may have impaired gas exchange due to anesthesia, pain, or decreased mobility. Removing the supplemental oxygen may worsen the patient’s hypoxemia and increase the risk of complications.

Choice C reason: Increasing the oxygen to 3 L/minute could be a potential action if the oxygen saturation reading is accurate and the patient’s condition does not improve. However, any changes to a patient’s oxygen therapy should be made under the guidance of a healthcare provider. It’s important to first verify the accuracy of the oxygen saturation reading.

Choice D reason: Verifying the placement of the pulse oximeter is the highest priority action. Before making changes to the oxygen flow rate, it’s important to ensure that the oxygen saturation reading is accurate. Incorrect placement or function of the pulse oximeter could lead to inaccurate readings.

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A client's wife has just learned that her husband is terminally ill. She is sitting in the corner of the client's room crying, and says to the nurse, "I feel as if I'm already so alone." Which action should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is providing a total bed bath for a confused and lethargic client. The UAP is soaking the client’s foot in a basin of warm water placed on the bed. Which action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and receiving supplemental oxygen at 2 L/minute via nasal cannula. The oxygen saturation is 89%. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

While assessing a client’s blood pressure using an aneroid sphygmomanometer, the nurse inflates the cuff to an initial reading of 160 mm calibration. Upon release of the air valve, the nurse immediately hears loud Korotkoff sounds. Which action should the nurse implement next?

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The nurse observes that there are reddened areas on the cheekbones of a client receiving oxygen per nasal cannula at 3 L/minute, and the client's oxygen saturation level is 92%. Which intervention would the nurse implement?

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