A nurse is admitting a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings is the nurse’s priority to report to the provider?

Distended, board-like abdomen

WBC count 15,000/mm³ (5,000 to 10,000/mm³)

Rebound tenderness over McBurney’s point

Temperature 37.3°C (99.1°F)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason:

A distended, board-like abdomen is a critical finding that can indicate peritonitis, a severe complication of appendicitis. Peritonitis occurs when the appendix ruptures, leading to infection spreading throughout the abdominal cavity. This condition requires immediate medical intervention to prevent further complications and potential sepsis.

Choice B Reason:

A WBC count of 15,000/mm³ is elevated and suggests an infection, which is common in appendicitis. However, it is not as immediately critical as signs of peritonitis. Elevated WBC counts are expected in cases of appendicitis but do not necessarily indicate a life-threatening emergency.

Choice C Reason:

Rebound tenderness over McBurney’s point is a classic sign of appendicitis and indicates localized inflammation. While it is an important diagnostic sign, it does not require immediate reporting compared to signs of peritonitis.

Choice D Reason:

A temperature of 37.3°C (99.1°F) is only slightly elevated and does not indicate a severe infection or complication. Fever is a common symptom of appendicitis but is not as critical as a distended, board-like abdomen.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Suctioning secretions from the endotracheal tube is a common intervention for high-pressure alarms, which indicate an obstruction in the airway. However, a low-pressure alarm typically signals a disconnection or leak in the ventilator system, not an obstruction.

Choice B Reason:

Checking the ventilator tubing connections is the appropriate response to a low-pressure alarm. This alarm usually indicates a disconnection or leak in the ventilator circuit, which can compromise the delivery of adequate ventilation to the patient. Ensuring all connections are secure is the first step in troubleshooting this issue.

Choice C Reason:

Administering intravenous sedation and analgesia is not directly related to addressing a low-pressure ventilator alarm. While sedation may be necessary for patient comfort and to prevent agitation, it does not resolve the underlying issue of a disconnection or leak in the ventilator system.

Choice D Reason:

Reassuring the client and instructing them not to bite on the tube is more relevant to high-pressure alarms, where patient actions such as biting the tube can cause increased airway resistance. It does not address the cause of a low-pressure alarm, which is typically due to a disconnection or leak.

A. Red B. Yellow C. Green D. Black

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

A red tag is used to label those who cannot survive without immediate treatment but who have a chance of survival. The child’s respiratory rate of 8/min, unresponsiveness to verbal commands, and groaning to painful stimuli indicate severe injuries that require urgent medical attention. Immediate intervention is necessary to address potential life-threatening conditions.

Choice B Reason:

A yellow tag is assigned to those who require observation and possible later re-triage. Their condition is stable for the moment, and they are not in immediate danger of death. Given the child’s critical condition, a yellow tag would not be appropriate as it suggests the child can wait for treatment, which is not the case here.

Choice C Reason:

A green tag is for the “walking wounded” who will need medical care at some point after more critical injuries have been treated. This tag is not suitable for the child in question, as their condition is far from minor and requires immediate attention.

Choice D Reason:

A black tag is used for the deceased or those whose injuries are so severe that they are not expected to survive despite receiving care. While the child’s condition is critical, they still have a chance of survival with immediate treatment, making a black tag inappropriate.

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A nurse is admitting a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings is the nurse’s priority to report to the provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is using a ventilator when the low-pressure ventilator alarm sounds. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A triage nurse finds a school-age child lying in the road following a school bus crash with multiple casualties. The child has a respiratory rate of 8/min, is unresponsive to verbal commands, and groans to painful stimuli. The nurse should assign the client which of the following triage tags?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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