A nurse is planning to collect data about the abdomen of a client who reports "stomach pain". Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Percuss

Auscultate.

Palpate.

Inspect

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Percuss:
Percussion involves tapping the abdomen with the fingers to assess for areas of dullness or resonance. Dullness might indicate organ enlargement or mass, while resonance is the typical sound over air-filled structures. This step helps identify the borders and size of organs.

B. Auscultate:
Auscultation involves listening to the abdomen using a stethoscope. The nurse listens for bowel sounds, which are the noises made by the movement of the intestines. Absence or abnormal bowel sounds can indicate intestinal obstruction or other gastrointestinal issues.

C. Palpate:
Palpation involves gently pressing the abdomen to assess for tenderness, masses, or areas of discomfort. This step helps identify areas of pain or tenderness, guarding, or rigidity, which might indicate inflammation, infection, or other abdominal issues.

D. Inspect:
Inspection involves visually assessing the abdomen for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, pulsations, or visible masses. It's the first step in the abdominal assessment process as it provides initial information about the overall condition of the abdomen before physical contact.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Check the client for a positive Chvostek’s sign:
Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia, not related to the given laboratory values. The symptoms include facial muscle twitching when the facial nerve (VII) is tapped. There's no indication for this assessment based on the provided information.

B. Discontinue the TPN infusion:
The glucose level is within the normal range (70-99 mg/dL). Discontinuing TPN based solely on this glucose level is not warranted.

C. Request a potassium replacement:
The potassium level is low (normal range typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). Given the low potassium level, the nurse should plan to request a potassium replacement. Potassium is crucial for various physiological functions, and a deficiency can lead to significant complications.

D. Administer glucagon IM:
Glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia, but the client's glucose level is within the normal range, so administering glucagon is not indicated.

A. Check the client for a positive Chvostek's sign. B. Discontinue the TPN infusion. C. Request a potassium replacement. D. Administer glucagon IM.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Check the client for a positive Chvostek's sign.
Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia (low calcium levels), not related to the client's potassium levels. The given potassium level is low, not calcium.

B. Discontinue the TPN infusion.
While the potassium level is low, discontinuing TPN without addressing the potassium deficiency can lead to further complications. TPN can be adjusted to include potassium supplementation.

C. Request a potassium replacement.
The client's low potassium level (3.0 mEq/L) requires potassium replacement. This can be done through the TPN solution or via a separate IV infusion. This choice is correct.

D. Administer glucagon IM.
Glucagon is not used to treat low potassium levels.

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A nurse is planning to collect data about the abdomen of a client who reports "stomach pain". Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN): glucose 72 mg/dL, chloride 100 mEq/L sodium 138 mEq/L, and potassium 3.0 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN): glucose 72 mg/dL, chloride 100 mEq/L. sodium 138 mEq/L, and potassium 3.0 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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