A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following an open reduction and internal fixation to repair a fracture of the femur. Which of the following assessment findings is an early manifestation of fat embolism syndrome (FES)?
Headache
Dyspnea
Red-brown petechiae
Altered mental status
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Headache can be associated with FES; however, it is not typically considered an early sign. It may occur as a part of the broader spectrum of symptoms.
Choice B reason: Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is one of the earliest signs of FES. Patients may experience shortness of breath due to fat globules obstructing pulmonary vessels.
Choice C reason: Red-brown petechiae, which are small, pinpoint hemorrhages, can appear on the skin and are a classic sign of FES, often found in the axillary region or on the chest.
Choice D reason: Altered mental status, including confusion and drowsiness, can occur early in FES due to fat emboli traveling to the cerebral circulation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Avoiding driving in winter is not necessary unless it is a personal trigger for Raynaud's attacks. It's more important to keep warm and manage stress.
Choice B reason: Stress management classes can teach techniques to control stress, which is beneficial for clients with Raynaud's disease as stress can trigger episodes.
Choice C reason: Using nicotine gum to quit smoking is a positive step for overall health, but it is not directly related to the management of Raynaud's disease.
Choice D reason: Limiting coffee intake may help some individuals with Raynaud's disease, as caffeine can constrict blood vessels, but it is not a universal recommendation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Defibrillation is used in the case of life-threatening cardiac rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. It is not the first line of treatment for a stable patient with VT.
Choice B reason: CPR is initiated when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing or not breathing normally, indicating cardiac arrest. It is not indicated for a patient who is stable and experiencing VT.
Choice C reason: Elective cardioversion is a procedure where an electrical shock is delivered to the heart to convert an abnormal rhythm back to a normal sinus rhythm. It is typically used for rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, not first line for VT.
Choice D reason: Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing rapid and irregular heartbeats. In the case of VT, this procedure is used to target the area causing the abnormal rhythm and is a common treatment for recurrent VT.
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