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A nurse is assisting with the care of a client.

A nurse is reviewing the client's electronic medical record. Which of the following findings on day 7 require further action? Select all that apply.

A.

Weight

B.

Potassium

C.

Pedal pulses

D.

Temperature

E.

Orientation

F.

Chest x-ray

G.

Urine output

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,C,F,G

  • Weight: The client has gained over 1 kg (about 2.2 lb) within a week, suggesting fluid retention. In combination with crackles, edema, and cardiomegaly, this weight gain indicates worsening heart failure and requires prompt intervention to manage fluid overload.
  • Potassium: A potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L is at the lower limit of normal. While it should be monitored, it does not independently demand immediate action unless it trends lower or the client shows symptoms of hypokalemia.
  • Pedal pulses: Pedal pulses have decreased from 2+ to 1+, and the extremities are now cool. These changes suggest compromised peripheral circulation, likely related to decreased cardiac output, and warrant further assessment and management.
  • Temperature: The client’s temperature is within the normal range. There are no signs of fever or hypothermia, so this finding does not require immediate action based on the current clinical data.
  • Orientation: The client remains alert and oriented, with no noted decline in mental status. Therefore, orientation findings are stable and do not necessitate further immediate intervention.
  • Chest x-ray: The presence of cardiomegaly on chest x-ray suggests worsening heart failure or fluid overload. This finding is significant and requires timely medical evaluation and management to prevent further cardiac decompensation.
  • Urine output: The client’s urine output has drastically decreased from 520 mL/hr to 160 mL in 8 hours, indicating impaired renal perfusion or acute kidney injury. This is a critical finding and requires immediate provider notification and intervention.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Increased senses: PCA pump use, typically involving opioids, does not heighten the senses. Instead, opioids often dull sensory perception and can cause sedation rather than making sensations sharper or more intense.

B. Decreased sleep: Opioids used in PCA pumps often promote drowsiness and sleep rather than reducing it. Sleep disturbances are not a common direct effect of properly managed PCA analgesia unless pain remains uncontrolled.

C. Difficulty swallowing: Difficulty swallowing is not a usual side effect associated with PCA use. If it occurs, it would likely suggest another issue, such as a neurological problem, rather than a typical reaction to PCA-administered opioids.

D. Urinary frequency: Opioids can affect the bladder by either causing urinary retention or, less commonly, altering normal patterns. Clients receiving adequate hydration and pain management might experience urinary frequency, especially as mobility increases postoperatively.

Correct Answer is "{\"xRanges\":[111.828125,122.828125],\"yRanges\":[106.5,117.5]}"

Explanation

A: Location A is near the infant’s foot, specifically around the ankle. This area is where the posterior tibial or dorsalis pedis pulse would be palpated, not the femoral pulse. These pulses are important for assessing peripheral circulation but are not the primary site for evaluating coarctation of the aorta, which requires checking central pulses like the femoral.

B: Location B is at the upper inner thigh, near the groin, where the femoral artery passes close to the skin surface. This is the correct site for palpating the femoral pulse in an infant. In conditions like coarctation of the aorta, comparing the strength of the brachial and femoral pulses is crucial to detect differences in blood flow between the upper and lower body.

C: Location C is on the upper arm, near the shoulder area, which corresponds to the location for checking the brachial pulse. The brachial pulse is commonly used in infants to assess heart rate, especially during resuscitation efforts. However, it is not the site for assessing femoral pulse strength, which is needed when evaluating for coarctation of the aorta.

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