A nurse is caring for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) who underwent a procedure two hours ago.

The nurse observes the following vital signs: heart rate 140 beats/minute, blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg, and respirations 26 breaths/minute.

Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Apply oxygen at 10 L via non-rebreather mask and monitor pulse oximeter.

Medicate for pain and monitor vital signs according to protocol.

Encourage the client to splint the incision with a pillow to cough and deep breathe.

Administer intravenous fluid bolus as prescribed by the healthcare provider.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Applying oxygen at 10 L via non-rebreather mask and monitoring pulse oximeter is the most important intervention for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) with a heart rate of 140 beats/minute, blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg, and respirations 26 breaths/minute.
These vital signs suggest that the patient may be experiencing hypoxia or respiratory distress, conditions that require immediate intervention.
Choice B rationale
Medicating for pain and monitoring vital signs according to protocol is important in the PACU, but it is not the most critical intervention in this scenario. The patient’s vital signs suggest a possible respiratory issue, which should be addressed immediately.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the client to splint the incision with a pillow to cough and deep breathe is a common postoperative intervention to promote lung expansion and prevent atelectasis and pneumonia. However, in this scenario, the patient’s vital signs suggest a more immediate respiratory issue that requires prompt intervention.
Choice D rationale
Administering an intravenous fluid bolus as prescribed by the healthcare provider can be an appropriate intervention for certain conditions in the PACU, such as hypotension. However, in this scenario, the patient’s vital signs suggest a possible respiratory issue, which should be addressed immediately.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Maintaining the prescribed fluid restriction is crucial in the management of SIADH. Fluid restriction helps to prevent further dilution of sodium in the blood, which can exacerbate the symptoms of SIADH34.
Choice B rationale
Withholding the next scheduled dose of treatment is not necessarily the appropriate intervention based on the increase in serum sodium level. The treatment plan should be adjusted based on the patient’s overall clinical picture and in consultation with the healthcare provider.
Choice C rationale
Increasing neurologic checks to every 2 hours is not directly related to the increase in serum sodium level. While neurologic checks are important in monitoring the overall health status of the patient, they are not specifically indicated based on the serum sodium level alone.
Choice D rationale
Assessing for increasing fluid volume overload is not the appropriate intervention based on the increase in serum sodium level. SIADH is characterized by water retention, not fluid volume overload.

A. Take prescribed cortisone accurately. B. Use a walker when weakness occurs. C. Avoid extreme environmental temperatures. D. Increase daily intake of sodium in diet.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Taking prescribed cortisone accurately is the most important instruction for a client diagnosed with Addison’s disease. Cortisone is a type of glucocorticoid replacement therapy that helps to manage the symptoms of Addison’s disease and prevent adrenal crisis, a life-threatening condition characterized by acute insufficiency of adrenal hormones.
Choice B rationale
Using a walker when weakness occurs may be helpful for some clients with Addison’s disease, as muscle weakness is a common symptom. However, it is not the most important instruction. The primary treatment for Addison’s disease is hormone replacement therapy, which should help to alleviate symptoms such as muscle weakness.
Choice C rationale
Avoiding extreme environmental temperatures can be beneficial for individuals with Addison’s disease, as they may have difficulty regulating body temperature due to cortisol deficiency.
However, this is not the most important instruction. The cornerstone of managing Addison’s disease is hormone replacement therapy.
Choice D rationale
Increasing daily intake of sodium in the diet can be beneficial for some individuals with Addison’s disease, particularly during periods of gastrointestinal illness or intense physical activity. However, this is not the most important instruction. The primary treatment for Addison’s disease is hormone replacement therapy.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient with small cell carcinoma of the lung is admitted with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The patient’s serum sodium level increases from 120 mEq/L to 125 mEq/L as they respond to treatment. Based on this finding, what intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is preparing a client for discharge who was recently diagnosed with Addison’s disease. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s discharge teaching plan?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

While providing care for a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome, the nurse conducts a neurological assessment every four hours. Which finding from the assessment requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

While assessing a patient with degenerative joint disease, the nurse notices Heberden’s nodes, and large prominences on the patient’s fingers that are reddened and painful. What should the nurse do?

A client with a history of hypothyroidism was initially admitted with lethargy and confusion. Which additional finding should the nurse act upon immediately?

The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic pancreatitis who reports persistent gnawing abdominal pain. What assessment data is most important for the nurse to obtain to help manage the patient’s pain?

A client who was recently diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease is concerned about pain management. Which nursing instruction should the nurse provide?

A client experiences an ABO incompatibility reaction after multiple blood transfusions. Which finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?