A nurse is assessing a group of clients. For which of the following clients should the nurse make a referral to palliative care?
A client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus and cannot afford insulin.
A client who has Meniere's disease and cannot safely ambulate due to vertigo.
A client who had a stroke and cannot eat or drink without choking.
A client whose medications to manage Parkinson's disease are no longer effective.
The Correct Answer is D
Answer: D. A client whose medications to manage Parkinson's disease are no longer effective.
Rationale:
A) A client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus and cannot afford insulin:
While this client has a significant medical issue, the primary concern here is financial rather than palliative. Palliative care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life for those with serious illnesses. Addressing the client's financial issues might involve social services or community resources rather than palliative care.
B) A client who has Meniere's disease and cannot safely ambulate due to vertigo:
Meniere's disease, while debilitating, may not necessarily require palliative care unless the symptoms are severely impacting the client's quality of life in a way that is not manageable with current treatments. Palliative care could be considered if the disease is severely limiting function and other supportive care is needed.
C) A client who had a stroke and cannot eat or drink without choking:
This client is experiencing a significant functional impairment due to the stroke, which might benefit from rehabilitative services rather than palliative care. Palliative care would be more appropriate if the client's condition is progressive, severe, and not responsive to treatment, leading to a focus on comfort and quality of life.
D) A client whose medications to manage Parkinson's disease are no longer effective:
When medications for Parkinson's disease are no longer effective, the client may be experiencing advanced symptoms and a decline in quality of life. Palliative care can provide symptom management, support, and enhance the client's quality of life when conventional treatments are no longer effective in controlling symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should not include the statement, "If your breath smells fruity, decrease your oral intake.”. in the discharge teaching for diabetic ketoacidosis. Fruity breath odor is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to ketone production. Decreasing oral intake would not address the underlying problem, and the client should be encouraged to seek medical attention promptly if experiencing this symptom.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct choice. The nurse should instruct the client to check their urine for ketones if their blood sugar is greater than 300 milligrams per deciliter. High blood sugar levels can lead to ketone production, and monitoring ketones in the urine can help assess the severity of DKA and guide appropriate interventions.
Choice C rationale:
The statement, "Drink one liter of fluids daily.”. is not appropriate for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis. Clients with DKA often have fluid imbalances, and their fluid needs should be assessed and managed by healthcare professionals based on individual factors and laboratory values.
Choice D rationale:
The statement, "When nausea is present, drink chilled water.”. is not specific to diabetic ketoacidosis and may not be appropriate for all clients. Nausea can be caused by various factors, and addressing the underlying cause is important. Drinking chilled water may not necessarily alleviate nausea.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
An elevated WBC count (11,000/mm²) in a client starting treatment for MRSA infection may indicate an inflammatory response, but it is expected in this scenario, and the priority is not as high as other critical lab values.
Choice B rationale:
A serum pH of 7.25 indicates acidosis, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common complication that can lead to metabolic acidosis. This lab result is a priority as it requires immediate attention.
Choice C rationale:
Hematocrit of 26% in a client with sickle cell disease might be low, but it is not the priority over the critically abnormal lab value of serum pH in option B.
Choice D rationale:
A urine specific gravity of 1.032 in a client diagnosed with dehydration is elevated, indicating concentrated urine due to dehydration. While dehydration is concerning, it is not as high-priority as the potentially life-threatening acidosis in option B.
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