A female client who is admitted to the mental health unit for opiate dependency is receiving clonidine 0.1 mg by mouth (PO) for withdrawal symptoms.

The client begins to complain of feeling nervous and tells the nurse that her bones are itching.

Which finding should the nurse identify as a contraindication for administering the medication?

A - The injury may require medical attention, as the mother mentioned that the boy is in pain. Correct

This is the correct answer, as it reflects the nurse's assessment of the injury and the appropriate action to take. The nurse should consider the mother's report of pain as a valid indicator of the severity of the injury, and should not dismiss or minimize it.

The nurse should also observe the boy's arm and shoulder for any signs of fracture, dislocation, swelling, bruising, or deformity, and ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 0 to 10. The nurse should then decide whether to refer the boy to a physician or an emergency department for further evaluation and treatment.

B - The abrasions on the boy's leg and hand have healed.

This is not the correct answer, as it does not reflect the nurse's assessment of the injury or the appropriate action to take. The abrasions on the boy's leg and hand are not relevant to his current complaint of arm and shoulder pain, and do not indicate whether he needs medical attention or not. The nurse should focus on the boy's primary concern and not distract him with unrelated questions or comments.

C - The mother describes what she did after her child got injured.

This is not the correct answer, as it does not reflect the nurse's assessment of the injury or the appropriate action to take. The mother's description of what she did after her child got injured may provide some useful information, such as how long ago the injury occurred, what first aid measures were applied, and whether there was any improvement or worsening of symptoms. However, it does not directly answer the question of whether the injury requires medical attention or not. The nurse should listen to the mother's account, but also perform a physical examination and ask relevant questions to assess the injury.

D - The boy lacks coordination when answering the nurse's questions.

This is not the correct answer, as it does not reflect the nurse's assessment of the injury or the appropriate action to take. The boy's lack of coordination when answering the nurse's questions may indicate a possible head injury, concussion, or shock, which are serious complications that require immediate medical attention. However, it does not directly relate to his arm and shoulder pain, which is his main complaint.

The nurse should assess the boy's mental status and neurological function, but also evaluate his arm and shoulder for any signs of damage or inflammation.

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Moving Client D into an isolation room 24 hours before surgery is not necessary. The client’s white blood cell (WBC) count is 14,000 mm (14 x 10^9/L), which is higher than the normal range of 5000 to 10,000/mm² (5 to 10 x 10^9/L). This indicates that the client may have an infection. However, it is not standard practice to isolate clients scheduled for surgery based solely on an elevated WBC count. Other factors, such as the presence of specific infectious diseases, would dictate the need for isolation.

Choice B rationale: Asking the dietitian to add a banana to Client C’s breakfast tray is not necessary. The client’s potassium level is 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L), which is within the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). Therefore, there is no need to increase the client’s potassium intake.

Choice C rationale: Increasing Client A’s oxygen to 4 liters a minute per cannula is not necessary. The client has emphysema and their oxygen saturation is 94%, which is within the normal range. Increasing the oxygen flow rate could lead to oxygen toxicity or suppress the client’s respiratory drive, leading to respiratory depression or failure.

Choice D rationale: Verifying that Client B has two units of packed cells available is the correct intervention. The client’s postoperative hemoglobin level is 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L), which is lower than the normal range of 14 to 18 g/dL (140 to 180 g/L). This indicates that the client is anemic and may require a blood transfusion. Therefore, it is important to ensure that packed cells are available if needed.