A nurse is assisting in the care of an adolescent.
The nurse is reviewing the data collection findings.
Select the 5 findings the nurse should report to the provider.
Temperature
Sclera
Bowel sounds
Abdominal tenderness
Anorexia
Breath sounds
Heart rate
Skin
Correct Answer : B,D,E,G,H
- Temperature: A temperature of 37.5° C (99.5° F) is within the normal to slightly elevated range and is not high enough to be classified as fever. Therefore, it does not require immediate reporting unless accompanied by other signs of infection or systemic illness.
- Sclera: Yellow-tinged sclera suggests jaundice, indicating possible liver dysfunction, which could be related to substance use or hepatitis. Jaundice is a significant clinical finding that requires immediate provider notification for further evaluation and management.
- Bowel sounds: Hyperactive bowel sounds are a non-specific finding and can result from gastrointestinal irritation, substance use, or stress. Alone, they do not warrant urgent reporting unless accompanied by more serious signs like severe pain or vomiting.
- Abdominal tenderness: Epigastric tenderness could suggest gastrointestinal complications such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, or gastritis, especially in the context of drug use. Abdominal pain on palpation is a concerning symptom that must be reported for further diagnostic workup.
- Anorexia: Significant anorexia along with nausea, vomiting, and substance use points to potential systemic illness or gastrointestinal involvement. In adolescents, persistent anorexia is a warning sign that needs prompt evaluation to prevent nutritional deficiencies and worsening health.
- Breath sounds: Clear breath sounds are a normal finding and do not require immediate provider notification. There are no respiratory concerns indicated by the lung assessment provided in the notes.
- Heart rate: A heart rate of 103/min indicates mild tachycardia, which could be due to dehydration, substance use, or an underlying systemic condition. Tachycardia should be reported to assess if immediate interventions like fluid replacement are necessary.
- Skin: Dry skin with poor turgor signals dehydration, a critical finding especially with the reported vomiting and drug use. Dehydration can rapidly worsen and must be addressed by the provider for fluid management and further care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Inability to read: Difficulty reading is not a hallmark symptom of delirium. It may be associated with visual impairment, literacy issues, or chronic cognitive decline such as dementia, but delirium is primarily characterized by acute mental status changes, not isolated reading difficulties.
B. Echopraxia: Echopraxia, the involuntary imitation of another person’s movements, is typically associated with schizophrenia or other severe psychiatric disorders. It is not a defining feature of delirium, which primarily affects attention, awareness, and cognition rather than imitation behaviors.
C. Acute onset of confusion: Delirium is distinguished by a sudden, acute onset of confusion and fluctuating levels of consciousness. Clients may exhibit disorganized thinking, poor attention, and impaired awareness, which are hallmark features that help differentiate delirium from chronic conditions like dementia.
D. Aphasia: Aphasia, or loss of the ability to understand or express speech, is more commonly related to neurological injuries such as stroke. While speech may be disorganized during delirium, the specific loss of language function like aphasia is not a primary or expected feature of this acute condition.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A nursing colleague documenting vitals in the electronic medical record (EMR) of a client that the colleague is caring for: This is appropriate documentation practice. Nurses are responsible for documenting client information in the EMR when they provide direct care, ensuring accurate and timely records.
B. A nursing colleague printing material that does not contain identifiable information from a client's electronic medical record (EMR) for professional use: If no identifiable client information is included, and it is for professional, educational, or training purposes, this action is acceptable and does not violate confidentiality.
C. A nursing colleague discussing a client's diagnosis with another staff member on the unit who is not involved in the client's care: Discussing confidential client information with staff not directly involved in the client's care is a violation of HIPAA and breaches client privacy. Only staff responsible for the client's care should access or discuss their health information.
D. A nursing colleague discussing a client's treatment plan with another nurse on the unit as part of the end-of-shift handoff report: This is appropriate because handoff reports ensure continuity of care. Discussing necessary client information with the next caregiver is essential for safe, effective client management.
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