A nurse from a medical-surgical unit is assigned to an inpatient mental health unit. Which of the following clients should the charge nurse assign to the medical-surgical nurse?
A client who has depression and anxiety with an established plan of care
A client who is trying to engage in self-harm and does not understand why they cannot leave the facility
A client who is being discharged and needs information on substance abuse counseling
A client who has been placed in restraints and requires documentation every 15 min
The Correct Answer is A
A. A client who has depression and anxiety with an established plan of care: A medical-surgical nurse can safely care for a client with stable mental health conditions when a clear, established plan of care is in place. This client does not require constant psychiatric interventions, making it appropriate for assignment.
B. A client who is trying to engage in self-harm and does not understand why they cannot leave the facility: This client is high-risk and requires a nurse with specialized mental health training to implement safety measures and therapeutic interventions. Assigning this client to a medical-surgical nurse could compromise safety.
C. A client who is being discharged and needs information on substance abuse counseling: Discharge teaching and counseling for substance abuse require specialized knowledge and therapeutic communication skills typical of mental health nurses. A medical-surgical nurse may not have the expertise to provide adequate education and support.
D. A client who has been placed in restraints and requires documentation every 15 min: Clients in restraints require frequent monitoring, crisis intervention, and mental health expertise. This high-acuity situation is not appropriate for a nurse without psychiatric training.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"C"}
Explanation
Rationale for correct choices
• Compartment syndrome: The adolescent demonstrates escalating pain despite repeated opioid administration, along with moderate edema, delayed capillary refill, and numbness/tingling in the affected limb. These signs indicate increased pressure within the casted compartment, which can compromise circulation and nerve function.
• Increasing capillary refill times: Capillary refill has lengthened from 3 to 4 seconds, suggesting impaired peripheral perfusion in the affected extremity. This change indicates vascular compromise and aligns with the pathophysiology of compartment syndrome. Monitoring these subtle vascular changes helps identify early ischemia before permanent damage occurs.
Rationale for incorrect choices
• Pneumonia: Shallow respirations and a slightly increased respiratory rate are present but are mild and likely related to pain or anxiety. Breath sounds remain clear, and oxygen saturation is slightly decreased but not critically low. There is no productive cough, fever spikes, or infection in the lungs, making pneumonia less likely.
• Infection: While the adolescent’s temperature has risen slightly, there is no redness, drainage, or local signs at the surgical site. White blood cell counts are not provided, and systemic signs of infection are minimal. The mild fever could be due to stress or inflammation from surgery rather than infection. Current symptoms points toward neurovascular compromise rather than infection.
• Shallow respirations: Although respirations are shallow at times, this finding alone is more consistent with pain or guarding from the femur injury than with a systemic complication. Respiratory assessment does not demonstrate adventitious sounds or significant hypoxia. Shallow breathing is not the primary indicator of compartment syndrome.
• Increasing respiratory rate: The rise in respiratory rate is minor and likely a response to pain, stress, or mild hypoxia, not the early sign of compartment syndrome. Tachypnea without other systemic signs does not reliably indicate limb vascular compromise. While important to monitor, it is not specific to the identified risk.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. High Fowler's: High Fowler’s position can assist with respiratory effort and comfort, but it does not specifically optimize cardiac output in a pregnant client. Upright positioning alone may not relieve pressure from the gravid uterus on major vessels.
B. Left lateral: Placing the client in the left lateral position relieves pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava and aorta, enhancing venous return to the heart and improving cardiac output. This position is especially important in clients with cardiac disease to reduce the risk of supine hypotensive syndrome and optimize maternal and fetal circulation.
C. Standing: Standing does not provide support for venous return and can increase the workload on the heart, potentially exacerbating cardiac compromise. It is not recommended for prolonged periods in clients with cardiac disease during pregnancy.
D. Supine: Supine positioning can compress the inferior vena cava and aorta, reducing venous return and cardiac output. This can lead to hypotension and decreased perfusion to both the mother and fetus, making it unsafe for pregnant clients with cardiac disease.
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