A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has an intestinal obstruction and is receiving continuous gastrointestinal decompression using a nasogastric tube. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Maintain the client in Fowler’s position.
Use sterile water to irrigate the nasogastric tube.
Moisten the client’s lips with lemon-glycerin swabs.
Measure abdominal girth daily.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Maintain the client in Fowler’s position. This is correct because Fowler’s position, which is a semi-sitting position with the head of the bed elevated 45 to 60 degrees, can facilitate the drainage of gastric contents and reduce the risk of aspiration.
Choice B: Use sterile water to irrigate the nasogastric tube. This is incorrect because sterile water is not necessary to irrigate the nasogastric tube, unless the client is immunocompromised or has a high risk of infection. Tap water or normal saline can be used to irrigate the nasogastric tube, following the provider’s orders or the facility’s protocol.
Choice C: Moisten the client’s lips with lemon-glycerin swabs. This is incorrect because lemon-glycerin swabs can dry out and irritate the client’s lips and oral mucosa, especially if used frequently. The nurse should use water-soluble lubricant or lip balm to moisturize the client’s lips and mouth.
Choice D: Measure abdominal girth daily. This is incorrect because measuring abdominal girth daily is not enough to monitor the progression of the intestinal obstruction and the effectiveness of the gastrointestinal decompression. The nurse should measure abdominal girth more frequently, such as every 4 hr or every shift, and report any changes or abnormalities.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This test does not detect antithyroid antibodies in your blood. Antithyroid antibodies are proteins that atack the thyroid gland and can cause autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. To detect antithyroid antibodies, you need a different blood test called the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody test.
Choice B reason: This test does not measure the amount of thyroid hormone that ataches to a protein in your blood. Thyroid hormone can exist in two forms in the blood: free or bound. Free thyroid hormone is not atached to any protein and can enter the cells and tissues where it is needed. Bound thyroid hormone is atached to a protein called thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and cannot enter the cells and tissues. To measure the amount of thyroid hormone that ataches to TBG, you need a different blood test called the total thyroxine (T4) test.
Choice C reason: This test determines whether your thyroid gland is overactive, appropriately active, or underactive. TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormones, such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate many body functions, such as metabolism, growth, and development. The TSH test measures the amount of TSH in the blood and reflects how well the thyroid gland is working. If the TSH level is high, it means that the thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism) and not making enough thyroid hormones. If the TSH level is low, it means that the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) and making too much thyroid hormones.
Choice D reason: This test does not measure the absorption of iodine and how it relates to the thyroid gland. Iodine is a mineral that is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland absorbs iodine from the food and water we consume and uses it to make T4 and T3. To measure the absorption of iodine by the thyroid gland, you need a different test called the radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Thyroxine (T4) level. This is incorrect because T4 is one of the thyroid hormones that is increased in hyperthyroidism. T4 is produced by the thyroid gland and converted to T3 in the tissues. A high level of T4 indicates overactivity of the thyroid gland.1
Choice B: Triiodothyronine (T3) level. This is incorrect because T3 is another thyroid hormone that is increased in hyperthyroidism. T3 is the more active form of thyroid hormone and regulates the metabolism of cells. A high level of T3 indicates overactivity of the thyroid gland.1
Choice C: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. This is correct because TSH is a hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T4 and T3. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and regulated by a feedback mechanism. When the levels of T4 and T3 are high, the pituitary gland reduces the secretion of TSH to inhibit further production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, a low level of TSH indicates hyperthyroidism.1
Choice D: Glucose level. This is incorrect because glucose level is not directly related to thyroid function. However, hyperthyroidism can affect glucose metabolism and cause increased blood sugar levels due to increased breakdown of glycogen and glucose uptake by cells. Therefore, glucose level may be elevated in some cases of hyperthyroidism, but it is not a specific indicator.
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