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?

Offer reassurance that she is not alone.

Explain that alternative treatment options may be helpful.

Encourage the wife to share her feelings.

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

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Offering reassurance that she is not alone is not the best action to take first. It may sound dismissive of her feelings and make her feel more isolated.

Choice B reason: Explaining that alternative treatment options may be helpful is not the best action to take first. It may give false hope or imply that the wife is not accepting the reality of her husband's condition.

Choice C reason: Encouraging the wife to share her feelings is the best action to take first. It shows empathy and respect for her emotional state. It also allows the nurse to assess her coping skills and provide appropriate support.

Choice D reason: Reminding her that her husband may still live a long time is not the best action to take first. It may contradict the medical prognosis and make the wife feel more confused and anxious.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Providing oral sponge toothettes is the best action to take. It helps the client to maintain oral hygiene and comfort, and prevents dryness and cracking of the oral mucosa.

Choice B reason: Teaching the client that the oral mucosa must remain dry to prevent aspiration is not a correct action. The oral mucosa needs to be moist to protect it from infection and irritation. Aspiration is prevented by checking the placement of the nasogastric tube and keeping the head of the bed elevated.

Choice C reason: Turning the suction off while allowing the client to rinse his mouth with cool water is not a safe action. It may increase the risk of aspiration and interfere with the function of the nasogastric tube. The suction should only be turned off when necessary, such as during medication administration or tube feeding.

Choice D reason: Instilling 50 ml of normal saline solution into the tube and clamping the tube for one hour is not an appropriate action. It may cause fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, and abdominal distension. The nasogastric tube should be flushed with 30 ml of water every 4 to 6 hours to maintain patency and prevent clogging.

A. Determine apical pulse rate and rhythm. B. Observe color and amount of urine. C. Compare muscle strength bilaterally. D. Assess strength of deep tendon reflexes.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is the most important intervention because a high serum potassium level can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should monitor the client's heart rate and rhythm closely and report any changes or abnormalities to the healthcare provider.

Choice B reason: This is not the most important intervention because the color and amount of urine are not directly related to the serum potassium level. The nurse should assess the client's renal function and fluid balance, but these are not the priority assessments.

Choice C reason: This is also not the most important intervention because the muscle strength is not the most sensitive indicator of the serum potassium level. The nurse should evaluate the client's neuromuscular status and watch for signs of weakness or paralysis, but these are not the priority assessments.

Choice D reason: This is another incorrect intervention because the deep tendon reflexes are not the most reliable indicator of the serum potassium level. The nurse should check the client's reflexes and note any hyperreflexia or hyporeflexia, but these are not the priority assessments.

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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

A male client with a nasogastric tube connected to low intermittent suction tells the nurse that his mouth is very dry. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

When assessing a client with a serum potassium level of 7.5 mEq/L (7.5 mmol/L), which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is teaching a client how to self-administer low-molecular-weight heparin subcutaneously. Which instruction should the nurse include?

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After a week of bedrest, a client is being assisted to a chair for the first time. The nurse raises the head of the bed and moves the client to a sitting position. Which action should the nurse implement next?

The healthcare provider prescribes a 24-hour urine specimen to be collected for creatinine clearance. The client is eager to go home and tells the nurse that the first sample was put in the urinal 2 hours ago. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) securing a client's wrist restraints to the bedside rails. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?

When initiating oxygen per mask to a client who is short of breath, the nurse hears a loud hissing sound after inserting the flowmeter into the wall outlet. Which should the nurse do next?

Which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform prior to the application of a heating pad?

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?