A nurse is collecting data from a child who is 1 hr postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority?
Frequent swallowing
Report of sore throat
Dark brown blood between the teeth
Coffee-ground appearance of emesis
The Correct Answer is A
A. Frequent swallowing: Frequent swallowing after a tonsillectomy can be a sign of active bleeding from the surgical site. Even if bleeding is not visible, the child may be swallowing blood, which can lead to significant hemorrhage. This is the priority finding that requires immediate intervention.
B. Report of sore throat: A sore throat is an expected and normal finding after a tonsillectomy due to surgical trauma and healing. It does not represent an urgent or life-threatening complication.
C. Dark brown blood between the teeth: Dark brown blood suggests old, minimal bleeding and is not as concerning as active bright red bleeding. While it should be monitored, it is not the priority compared to signs of active hemorrhage.
D. Coffee-ground appearance of emesis: Coffee-ground emesis suggests the presence of digested blood, often from swallowed blood, and while concerning, it is a secondary finding. Frequent swallowing points more directly to active bleeding, which is more immediately life-threatening.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The client tells the nurse he prefers a snack before bedtime: Client food preferences can usually be accommodated by nursing and dietary staff without needing interprofessional team intervention unless related to special dietary restrictions.
B. The client requires reinforcement of teaching about the purpose of his medications: Medication education reinforcement is a routine nursing responsibility and typically does not require escalation to the entire interprofessional team unless there are significant comprehension issues.
C. The client is unable to grasp eating utensils: Difficulty grasping utensils suggests significant motor deficits following the stroke. This functional limitation requires input from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and possibly speech therapy to assess needs for adaptive devices and rehabilitation strategies.
D. The client requests to perform ADLs later in the day: Adjusting the timing of ADLs is a minor scheduling preference and does not necessarily require interprofessional reporting unless it impacts therapy schedules or rehabilitation goals.
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A,B"},"C":{"answers":"A,B"},"D":{"answers":"A"}}
Explanation
- Blood pressure: The client's significantly elevated blood pressure (162/112 mm Hg and 166/110 mm Hg) is characteristic of preeclampsia, which is defined by new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation. Hypertension is a major diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia but is not required for diagnosing HELLP syndrome.
- Platelet count: The platelet count of 98,000/mm³ is lower than normal, supporting both preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. In preeclampsia, thrombocytopenia can occur as the disease progresses, and in HELLP syndrome, low platelets are one of the triad components (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count).
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): An ALT level of 40 Units/L is above the normal limit, indicating liver involvement. Elevated liver enzymes occur in both severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, reflecting hepatic dysfunction or injury caused by systemic endothelial damage.
- Hemoglobin: A hemoglobin of 18.0 g/dL is unusually high and suggests hemoconcentration, which is typical of preeclampsia due to fluid shifts out of the vascular space. In contrast, HELLP syndrome typically causes hemolysis leading to anemia, where hemoglobin would be expected to be low rather than elevated.
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