A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who reports right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting for the past 48 hr.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Offer pain medication.
Auscultate bowel sounds.
Palpate the abdomen.
Administer an antiemetic.
The Correct Answer is B
The nurse should first auscultate the client’s bowel sounds.
This will provide important information about the client’s gastrointestinal function and can help determine the cause of the client’s symptoms.
Choice A is wrong because while offering pain medication may provide temporary relief, it does not address the underlying cause of the client’s symptoms.
Choice C is wrong because palpating the abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds can alter the bowel sounds and make it more difficult to accurately assess the client’s condition.
Choice D is wrong because administering an antiemetic may provide temporary relief from nausea and vomiting, but it does not address the underlying cause of the client’s symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A nurse can delegate the task of performing a simple dressing change to an assistive personnel.
Delegation is an essential nursing skill that allows a qualified healthcare worker, like an RN, to transfer routine and low-risk duties to nursing assistive personnel.
This frees up the RN’s time to address more pressing matters, including critical patients and tasks.

Choice A is wrong because changing IV tubing is not a task that can be delegated to assistive personnel.
Choice C is wrong because inserting an NG tube is not a task that can be delegated to assistive personnel.
Choice D is wrong because evaluating the healing of an incision is not a task that can be delegated to assistive personnel.
These tasks require the expertise and training of a licensed nurse.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This indicates that the compress has been effective in relieving lower back pain and has not caused any skin irritation or damage.
Choice B is wrong because the ability to concentrate while reading is not directly related to the effectiveness of a warm, moist compress for relieving lower back pain.
Choice C is wrong because vital signs being within the expected reference range does not necessarily indicate that the compress has been effective in relieving lower back pain.
Choice D is wrong because laughing at a television show does not necessarily indicate that the compress has been effective in relieving lower back pain.
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