A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with an intravenous (IV) fluid infusion and a nasogastric (NG) tube in place following abdominal surgery. Which of the following data is the priority for the nurse to assess?

The coping ability of the client

The client's bowel sounds

The patency of the NG tube

The surgical dressing

None

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason:
Assessing the coping ability of the client is important, but it is not the immediate priority following abdominal surgery. The nurse must first ensure that the client's physiological needs are met and that there are no immediate postoperative complications.

Choice B reason:
While monitoring bowel sounds can provide valuable information about the return of gastrointestinal function, it is not the most immediate concern postoperatively. The nurse should prioritize assessments that ensure the client's safety and immediate physiological stability.

Choice C reason:
Ensuring the patency of the NG tube is the priority assessment. A patent NG tube is crucial for decompressing the stomach, preventing nausea and vomiting, and reducing the risk of aspiration, which can be life-threatening. It is also essential for the removal of gastric secretions and to prevent abdominal distention, which can compromise the surgical site and lead to complications such as wound dehiscence.

Choice D reason:
Assessing the surgical dressing is important to check for signs of bleeding or infection. However, the patency of the NG tube takes precedence as it is directly related to the client's airway and breathing, which are always the top priorities in postoperative care.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:
While the white blood cell (WBC) count is important in assessing the immune system's ability to fight infection, a WBC of 5,000/mm³ is within the normal range (4,500 to 11,000 WBCs/mm³). Therefore, it is not the most critical value for a nurse to prioritize in the care of an HIV patient.

Choice B reason:
A platelet count of 150,000/mm³ is also within the normal range (150,000 to 450,000 platelets/mm³). Although thrombocytopenia can occur in HIV, this value does not indicate an immediate concern for the nurse to prioritize.

Choice C reason:
A positive Western blot test confirms the presence of HIV antibodies, which is indicative of HIV infection. However, this is a diagnostic result rather than a laboratory value that reflects the current status of the patient's immune function or disease progression.

Choice D reason:
The CD4-T-cell count is a critical laboratory value for assessing the immune function of a patient with HIV. A count of 180 cells/mm³ is below the normal range of 500 to 1,200 cells/mm³ and indicates a significantly weakened immune system, placing the patient at risk for opportunistic infections. This value is a priority as it guides treatment decisions and the need for prophylaxis against opportunistic infections.

A. "It's likely that you will have only a tingling sensation." B. "Your pain will gradually become less severe." C. "Phantom pain is mostly psychological." D. "The pain will disappear soon."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:
A tingling sensation is not the primary concern when planning preoperative teaching for an amputation due to a severe gangrenous infection. While some patients may experience tingling due to nerve damage or as part of phantom limb sensation, the focus of preoperative teaching should be on managing pain and understanding the recovery process.

Choice B reason:
Telling a patient that their pain will gradually become less severe may be misleading. Post-amputation, patients often experience significant pain, including phantom limb pain, which can be intense and challenging to manage. Preoperative teaching should set realistic expectations about postoperative pain and its management.

Choice C reason:
Phantom pain is a real phenomenon experienced by many amputees, where they feel pain in the amputated limb as if it were still there. It is not merely psychological but has physiological underpinnings related to the nerves and brain's interpretation of signals. Preoperative teaching should include information about phantom limb pain, its potential occurrence, and strategies for managing it.

Choice D reason:
It is unrealistic to suggest that the pain will disappear soon after the amputation. Recovery from an amputation can be a lengthy process, and pain management is a critical component. Patients need to be prepared for the possibility of ongoing pain and the need for pain management strategies postoperatively.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with an intravenous (IV) fluid infusion and a nasogastric (NG) tube in place following abdominal surgery. Which of the following data is the priority for the nurse to assess?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has HIV. Which of the following laboratory values is the nurse's priority?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has a severe gangrenous infection of the right lower extremity. The nurse should plan preoperative teaching based on the possibility of which of the following amputation procedures?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has wrist pain. Which of the following findings is a manifestation of carpal tunnel syndrome?

A nurse in an allergy clinic is caring for a client who has a history of seasonal allergy symptoms. The client had a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) completed on a previous visit. The nurse should recognize that an elevation in which of the following immunoglobulins indicates a positive result?

A nurse is planning care for a client who is 2 hours postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The client is receiving continuous bladder irrigation. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

A nurse is caring for a client whose throat culture is positive for group A streptococcus 24 hours after a rapid strep test (RST) was negative. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

A nurse is planning a teaching session about hysterosalpingography for a client who has a diagnosis of infertility. The nurse should include which of the following information in the teaching plan?

A nurse is planning care for a client who is being treated with chemotherapy and radiation for metastatic breast cancer and who has neutropenia. The nurse should include which of the following restrictions in the client's plan of care?

A nurse has received a report on a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?

A nurse is teaching a client who has fibromyalgia about self-care strategies for managing the disorder. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?