A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is malnourished?
Heart rate 89/min.
Pink mucous membranes.
Pallor with scaly skin.
Body mass index 23.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Pallor with scaly skin.
Choice A rationale:
"Heart rate 89/min." Heart rate within the range of 60-100 beats per minute is generally considered normal for adults at rest. This value doesn't specifically indicate malnourishment.
Choice B rationale:
"Pink mucous membranes." Pink mucous membranes indicate adequate oxygenation and hydration but don't necessarily reflect nutritional status or malnourishment.
Choice C rationale:
"Pallor with scaly skin." Pallor (pale skin) along with scaly skin can be indicative of malnourishment. Malnourished individuals may not receive adequate n
Choice D rationale:
"Body mass index 23." A body mass index (BMI) of 23 falls within the normal range (18.5-24.9), so it doesn't necessarily indicate malnourishment. However, BMI alone may not fully capture malnourishment, as it doesn't consider other factors like muscle mass and specific nutrient deficiencies.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice d. “Have you had small liquid stools?”
Choice A rationale:
While knowing the types of foods the client has been eating can provide insight into dietary habits that may contribute to constipation, it is not the most direct question to identify a fecal impaction.
Choice B rationale:
Asking about the use of stool softeners or laxatives is relevant to understanding the client’s bowel management, but it does not directly indicate the presence of a fecal impaction.
Choice C rationale:
Passing gas can indicate that there is some bowel movement, but it does not confirm or rule out a fecal impaction.
Choice D rationale:
Small liquid stools can be a sign of fecal impaction, as liquid stool may leak around the impacted mass. This makes it the most important question to ask when suspecting a fecal impaction.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice d. The client’s output was 60 mL for the past 3 hr.
Choice A rationale:
Voiding three times during the night (nocturia) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to the kidneys’ inability to concentrate urine. While it should be monitored, it is not the most urgent issue.
Choice B rationale:
Burning and discomfort with urination could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is important to address but not as immediately critical as low urine output.
Choice C rationale:
A WBC count of 11,000/mm² is slightly elevated and could indicate an infection or inflammation, but it is not as urgent as the low urine output.
Choice D rationale:
Low urine output (oliguria) of 60 mL over 3 hours is a critical finding in CKD patients. It indicates potential acute kidney injury or worsening kidney function, which requires immediate attention to prevent further complications.
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