A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and a family member asks why the client's mouth is continually open. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
The reduced muscle tone relaxed the low muscles
"That happens when a person gets close to death
"I can apply a chin strap to help hold the mouth closed
The Correct Answer is A
A. The reduced muscle tone had relaxed the law muscles CORRECT
Prior to death, decreased muscle tone causes jaw muscles to relax resulting in an open mouth.
B. "That happens when a person gets close to death INCORRECT
This automatic response is nontherapeutic and does not address the family member's question
C. "I can apply a chin strap to help hold the mouth closed INCORRECT
Applying a chin strap is a postmortem action that the nurse can take to keep the mouth closed
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A: Correct. Checking the pH of the gastric aspirate is the most reliable method to verify the correct placement of the NG tube. Gastric aspirate typically has an acidic pH (pH < 5), indicating that the tube is in the stomach.
B: Observing the color of the gastric aspirate after adding blue dye to the formula is not a standard or recommended method for verifying NG tube placement.
C: Auscultating over the epigastrium may help to identify the presence of air in the stomach, but it does not confirm that the NG tube is correctly placed in the stomach or the intestines.
D: Measuring the length of the inserted NG tube can help determine the distance from the nose to the stomach, but it does not ensure correct placement in the stomach.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A urine specific gravity of 1.015 is within the normal range (1.005–1.030). While fluid volume excess may lead to a lower specific gravity due to urine dilution, this value does not indicate fluid overload and is considered normal.
B. A hematocrit level of 42% is within the normal range for adults (men: 38–50%, women: 35–45%). Hematocrit levels tend to decrease in fluid volume excess due to hemodilution, but this value does not suggest fluid overload.
C. A urine pH of 6.5 is within the normal range (4.5–8.0). Urine pH reflects the acid-base balance rather than fluid status and is not a reliable indicator of fluid volume excess.
D. A BUN level of 5 mg/dL is below the normal range (10–20 mg/dL). In fluid volume excess, the dilution of blood plasma can lead to decreased BUN levels. This low BUN value, in conjunction with clinical symptoms, supports the diagnosis of fluid volume excess.
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