A nurse is caring for a client who has been receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following actions should the nurse take first to taper the client from the TPN?
Encourage the client to take sips of diluted fruit juice.
Give the client a pureed diet.
Check the client's swallowing reflex.
Provide the client with a full liquid diet.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Encourage the client to take sips of diluted fruit juice: Offering small amounts of juice may help introduce oral intake gradually, but it is not the first step. Ensuring the client can safely swallow is essential before providing any oral fluids to prevent aspiration and other complications.
B. Give the client a pureed diet: Transitioning to a pureed diet is part of advancing nutrition after confirming that the client can swallow safely. Starting this too early without assessing swallowing ability can increase the risk of choking or aspiration.
C. Check the client's swallowing reflex: Assessing the swallowing reflex is the priority when tapering a client from TPN. Safe oral intake depends on intact swallowing function, and identifying any deficits early prevents aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, or other serious complications during the transition to oral nutrition.
D. Provide the client with a full liquid diet: A full liquid diet is a step in progressing from TPN to oral intake, but it should only be introduced after confirming the client can swallow safely. Skipping the assessment of the swallowing reflex could place the client at risk for airway compromise.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. BUN 22 mg/dL (10 to 20 mg/dL): A slightly elevated BUN indicates mild renal impairment or dehydration but does not typically require withholding enoxaparin. Monitoring renal function is important, but this value alone is not a contraindication for anticoagulation.
B. WBC count 15,000/mm3 (5,000 to 10,000/mm3): An elevated WBC suggests possible infection or inflammation. While it may warrant further assessment, it does not directly increase the risk of bleeding and is not a reason to withhold enoxaparin.
C. Urine specific gravity 1.04 (1.005 to 1.03): A high specific gravity may indicate dehydration but is not a contraindication for enoxaparin administration. The medication can be given with caution while monitoring renal function and fluid status.
D. Platelets 80,000/mm3 (150,000 to 400,000/mm3): Thrombocytopenia significantly increases the risk of bleeding while on enoxaparin, which is an anticoagulant. Withholding the dose and notifying the provider is essential to prevent hemorrhagic complications and ensure safe management of the client.
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A,B,C"},"C":{"answers":"B"},"D":{"answers":"A,B"}}
Explanation
Rationale for correct choices
• Heart sounds: The presence of S3 and S4 heart sounds may indicate right ventricular strain or acute heart failure, which can occur secondary to a massive pulmonary embolism. This finding aligns with increased cardiac workload due to impaired pulmonary circulation. Heart sounds are not typically altered in pneumonia or pneumothorax unless severe cardiac compromise occurs.
• Respiratory pattern: Tachypnea and labored breathing can occur in all three conditions. In pulmonary embolism, rapid breathing compensates for hypoxemia. In pneumonia, increased respiratory rate results from impaired gas exchange and inflammation. In pneumothorax, rapid breathing occurs due to decreased lung expansion and oxygenation.
• Temperature: Fever (38.9° C/102° F) suggests an infectious process, consistent with pneumonia. Pulmonary embolism and pneumothorax typically do not present with elevated temperature unless secondary infection or inflammatory response is present.
• Lung sounds: Bilateral crackles indicate fluid or exudate in the alveoli. In pneumonia, crackles result from consolidation and inflammation. In pulmonary embolism, crackles may reflect pulmonary infarction or edema from right-sided heart strain. Pneumothorax generally produces absent or decreased breath sounds rather than crackles, so crackles are less indicative.
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