A female client is admitted with complaints of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and a weight loss of 25 pounds (11 kg) in the last four months. During the admission assessment, the client tells the nurse that she has no interest in playing cards with her friends anymore and feels worthless most days. Which nursing problem should the nurse address first?

Anxiety as evidenced by abdominal complaints secondary to depression.

Imbalanced nutrition as evidenced by 25 pound (11 kg) weight loss in four months.

Chronic low self-esteem as evidenced by feelings of worthlessness.

Risk for self-directed violence as evidenced by feelings of hopelessness.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The client's statement of feeling worthless most days and having no interest in activities she previously enjoyed indicates a potential risk for self-directed violence, including self-harm or suicidal ideation. These signs are significant and require immediate attention and intervention by the nurse.

Assessing and addressing the client's risk for self-directed violence is of utmost importance to ensure her safety and well-being. The nurse should initiate a thorough assessment of the client's mental health, including assessing for any suicidal ideation, intent, or plans. It is crucial to establish a supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client to express her feelings and concerns.

The nurse should collaborate with the healthcare team to develop an appropriate care plan that may involve interventions such as close observation, involving a mental health professional, implementing safety measures, and providing emotional support.

While addressing other nursing problems, such as anxiety, imbalanced nutrition, and chronic low self-esteem, is important, the immediate concern is the client's risk for self-directed violence due to her feelings of hopelessness.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A.While pain management is important, it is not the most critical intervention compared to monitoring for bleeding, which can be life-threatening.

B.Teaching the client how to use incentive spirometry is important for improving lung function and preventing complications like atelectasis. However, in the context of a pulmonary embolism (PE), the immediate priority is to monitor for signs of increased bleeding due to the anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy often used to treat PE. This is crucial to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

C.Confusion and restlessness could indicate hypoxia, which is important to monitor in a PE patient. However, the immediate risk of bleeding due to anticoagulation therapy takes precedence.

D.Patients with a pulmonary embolism are typically treated with thrombolytic or anticoagulant therapy to prevent further clot formation and to help dissolve the existing clot. Anticoagulants significantly increase the risk of bleeding, making it crucial to monitor for signs of increased bleeding as a priority in the plan of care.

A. Weigh every morning. B. Perform range of motion exercises. C. Limit fluid intake to 1,500 mL daily. D. Eat a high protein diet.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Regular weighing is an essential self-management strategy for clients with heart failure (HF). It helps monitor changes in fluid balance, which is crucial in managing HF symptoms. Sudden weight gain may indicate fluid retention, a worsening of HF, or the need for adjustments in medications or dietary restrictions. Daily weighing provides valuable information for both the client and healthcare provider to assess the effectiveness of the HF management plan.

While performing range of motion exercises and maintaining mobility are important for overall health, they may not be specifically related to the management of heart failure. The focus of discharge teaching for HF is typically on monitoring symptoms, medication management, diet and fluid restrictions, and when to seek medical attention.

Limiting fluid intake to 1,500 mL daily may be a general recommendation for some clients with HF, but it is best to individualize fluid restrictions based on the client's specific needs. The client should follow the fluid restriction prescribed by their healthcare provider, which may vary depending on the severity of HF and other individual factors.

While maintaining a balanced diet, including adequate protein intake, is important for overall health, there may be specific dietary recommendations for clients with HF that go beyond a general instruction to eat a high protein diet. Dietary instructions for HF clients typically include sodium restriction, fluid restriction if necessary, and considerations for comorbidities and medications.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

After having a pulmonary angiogram, a client is diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (PE). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client is being discharged home after being treated for heart failure (HF). Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's discharge teaching plan?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client with a history of lung cancer reluctantly comes to the clinic because of persistent hoarseness and a chronic cough. The client's respirations are labored when speaking and the capillary refill is 3 seconds. Which additional finding warrants intervention by the nurse?

Patient Data History and Physical Nurses' Notes Laboratory Results Flow Sheet Exhibits here Review H and P, nurse's note, laboratory result, and flow sheet. What information should the nurse collect as part of the focused assessment for dehydration in this child? Select all that apply.

When the nurse enters the room of a male client who was admitted for a fractured femur, his cardiac monitor displays a normal sinus rhythm (NSR), but he has no spontaneous respirations and his carotid pulse is not palpable. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

The nurse discovers that an older client with no history of cardiac or renal disease has an elevated serum magnesium level. To further investigate the cause of this electrolyte imbalance, what information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client's medical history?

The parent of a child born with a myelomeningocele asks the nurse, "What did I do to deserve this?" Which response is most helpful?