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

NPO status is crucial before a surgical procedure, especially when anesthesia will be administered. It helps prevent complications related to aspiration of gastric contents during the procedure. Failure to adhere to the NPO status can lead to serious respiratory problems, such as aspiration pneumonia.

It is important for the nurse to confirm the NPO status with the client to ensure that they have followed the appropriate fasting guidelines. This should be done to ensure the client's safety during the surgery.

While determining when the client last had pain medication, offering assistance to the restroom, and reviewing postoperative instructions are important aspects of preoperative care, confirming NPO status is the most critical nursing action in this particular scenario.

A. Bilateral diffuse wheezing. B. Shortness of breath on exertion. C. Temperature of 100.5 °F (38.1 °C). D. Yellow expectorated sputum.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Shortness of breath on exertion in a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia indicates increased respiratory distress and compromised lung function. It suggests that the client is experiencing difficulty breathing even with minimal physical exertion. This finding may indicate worsening respiratory status, increased oxygen demand, and inadequate oxygenation. The nurse should take immediate action to address the shortness of breath, which may involve providing supplemental oxygen, initiating or adjusting bronchodilator medications, and monitoring the client's respiratory status closely. Prompt intervention is crucial to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent respiratory failure.

While the other assessment findings (bilateral diffuse wheezing, temperature of 100.5 °F, and yellow expectorated sputum) are also important and require attention, the shortness of breath on exertion poses the greatest immediate risk and necessitates immediate intervention to address the client's respiratory distress.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is assigned to provide care for a client who is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in two hours, at 0900. What nursing action is most important?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with pneumonia. Vital signs include: heart rate 122 beats/minute, respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 170/90 mmHg. Which assessment finding warrants the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The healthcare provider prescribes dopamine 2 mcg/kg/min intravenously (IV) for client who weighs 60 kg. The IV bag contains dopamine 200 mg in dextrose 5% in water (DW) 250 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour? (Enter numerical value only.)

The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with emphysema. The nurse should prioritize which potential complication?

The nurse is preparing to send a client to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angioplasty. Which client report is most important for the nurse to explore further prior to the start of the procedure?

The nurse is triaging several children as they present to the emergency room after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

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 is caring for a client who reports running out of aspirin 1 week ago and taking ibuprofen as a replacement. Which information should the nurse obtain from the client first?

When providing community healthcare teaching regarding the early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, which signs should the nurse advise family members to report (Select all that apply)?

The home health nurse is assessing an older client who lives alone. The client reports being troubled by constipation. Which additional information should the nurse obtain to formulate a plan of care? (Select all that apply.)