A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. Client reports, "I'm bloated and my stomach hurts."
The nurse reviews the client's laboratory findings and vital signs.
Select the 5 findings that require immediate follow-up.
Heart rate.
Current medications.
Blood pressure.
Stool results.
Respiratory rate.
WBC count.
Temperature.
Hemoglobin and hematocrit.
Correct Answer : A,B,C,D,H
A, B, C, D, and H. Here is why:.
- A. Heart rate: The client’s heart rate is elevated at 118/min, which could indicate blood loss, dehydration, pain, anxiety, or infection. This finding requires immediate follow-up to assess the cause and intervene as needed.
- B. Current medications: The client is taking ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily PRN for arthritis pain. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastric irritation, ulceration, and bleeding. This finding requires immediate follow-up to evaluate the client’s pain level, medication use, and possible alternatives to NSAIDs.
- C. Blood pressure: The client’s blood pressure is low at 90/50 mm Hg, which could indicate hypovolemia, shock, or cardiac dysfunction. This finding requires immediate follow-up to monitor the client’s fluid status, perfusion, and organ function.
- D. Stool results: The client’s stool tested positive for occult blood and H. pylori bacteria. Occult blood indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, which could be related to the client’s abdominal pain and weight loss. H. pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease, which can also cause bleeding and pain. This finding requires immediate follow-up to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment with antibiotics and acid-suppressing drugs.
- H. Hemoglobin and hematocrit: The client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit are low at 9.1 g/dL and 27%, respectively. These values indicate anemia, which could be caused by chronic blood loss, nutritional deficiency, or bone marrow suppression. This finding requires immediate follow-up to determine the etiology and severity of the anemia and provide appropriate therapy such as blood transfusion, iron supplementation, or erythropoietin.
The other findings are not as urgent as the ones above:.
- E. Respiratory rate: The client’s respiratory rate is normal at 18/min. There is no evidence of respiratory distress or hypoxia.
- F. WBC count: The client’s WBC count is normal at 6,700/mm3. There is no indication of infection or inflammation.
- G. Temperature: The client’s temperature is slightly elevated at 37.5° C (99.5° F), but not enough to warrant immediate concern. It could be due to stress, dehydration, or a mild infection. The nurse should monitor the temperature trend and report any significant changes or signs of sepsis.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. A client who was just given a glass of orange juice for a low blood glucose level.
This client should be assessed first because they are at risk of hypoglycemia, which is a medical emergency that can cause seizures, coma, or death if not treated promptly.
The nurse should check the client’s blood glucose level again and provide additional carbohydrates or glucose if needed.
Choice A is wrong because a client who is scheduled for a procedure in 1 hr is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.
The nurse should verify the client’s consent, allergies, and vital signs before the procedure, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Choice B is wrong because a client who received a pain medication 30 min ago for postoperative pain is likely to have improved pain relief and does not need immediate assessment.
The nurse should monitor the client’s pain level, vital signs, and respiratory status periodically, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Choice D is wrong because a client who has 100 mL of fluid remaining in his IV bag is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.
The nurse should change the IV bag when it is empty or nearly empty, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Normal blood glucose levels are between 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) when fasting, and less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after eating. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered hypoglycemia and requires immediate treatment. Orange juice is a source of simple carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose quickly, but it may not be enough to prevent hypoglycemia in some cases.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The leader allows the group to discuss whatever they would like to regarding their medications.
This is because a laissez-faire leadership style is characterized by minimal guidance and direction from the leader, and maximum freedom and autonomy for the followers.
The leader does not impose any rules or expectations on the group, and lets them decide how to manage their own learning and behavior.
Choice A is wrong because having group members vote on what they would like to learn about during the session is an example of a democratic leadership style, not a laissez-faire one.
A democratic leader solicits input and feedback from the group, and makes decisions based on consensus and majority rule.
Choice B is wrong because lecturing about medication adverse effects to the group members is an example of an authoritarian leadership style, not a laissez-faire one.
An authoritarian leader dictates what the group should do and how they should do it, without considering their opinions or preferences.
Choice D is wrong because encouraging group members to remain silent until questions are called for is an example of a paternalistic leadership style, not a laissez-faire one.
A paternalistic leader treats the group as if they are incapable of making their own decisions, and assumes a protective and nurturing role over them.
Normal ranges for leadership styles are not applicable in this context, as different styles may be more or less effective depending on the situation and the goals of the group.
However, some general advantages and disadvantages of each style are:
- Laissez-faire: Advantages - fosters creativity, independence, and self-motivation; Disadvantages - may lead to chaos, confusion, and lack of accountability.
- Democratic: Advantages - promotes participation, collaboration, and satisfaction; Disadvantages - may be time-consuming, inefficient, and conflict-prone.
- Authoritarian: Advantages - provides clarity, direction, and control; Disadvantages - may cause resentment, resistance, and dependency.
- Paternalistic: Advantages - creates trust, loyalty, and commitment; Disadvantages - may inhibit growth, development, and empowerment.
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