A patient admitted with a peptic ulcer has a nasogastric (NG) tube in place. When the patient develops sudden, severe upper abdominal pain, diaphoresis, and a firm abdomen, which action should the nurse take?
Irrigate the NG tube.
Elevate the foot of the bed.
Give the ordered antacid.
Check the vital signs.
The Correct Answer is D
The nurse should quickly assess the patient's vital signs to check for signs of shock and instability. If the vital signs are unstable, the nurse should initiate appropriate interventions to stabilize the patient, such as administering oxygen, starting IV fluids, and providing continuous cardiac monitoring. Based on the sudden onset of severe upper abdominal pain, diaphoresis, and a firm abdomen, the nurse should suspect a possible perforation or bleeding related to the peptic ulcer. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize notifying the healthcare provider and preparing the patient for urgent medical evaluation.
Option A, irrigating the NG tube, is not appropriate in this situation and may further exacerbate the patient's condition if the ulcer has perforated.
Option B, elevating the foot of the bed, is also not appropriate as it does not address the patient's current symptoms.
Option C, giving the ordered antacid, may not be effective in addressing the severity of the patient's symptoms and should be postponed until the healthcare provider has evaluated the patient.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D"]
Explanation
Option A is not the best advice because drinking lots of water alone may not be enough to relieve constipation, especially if there is an obstruction.
Option B is also not accurate because not all intestinal obstructions require surgery, and the treatment approach will depend on the cause and severity of the obstruction.
Option C is accurate because a nasogastric tube can help relieve any distention caused by the obstruction by removing any gas or fluids that may have accumulated in the stomach and small intestine.
Option D is also accurate because an abdominal CT is one of the diagnostic tests that can help confirm the presence of intestinal obstruction and provide information about the location and cause of the obstruction.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
When performing a self-monitoring blood glucose test, it is essential to choose the puncture site on the side of the fingertip, slightly off-center, and to rotate the puncture sites to prevent lipoatrophy and injury to the nerves and blood vessels in the finger. Puncturing the center of the fingertip can lead to pain, injury to the nerves, and tissue damage.
Options a, b, and c are correct and indicate appropriate actions during self-monitoring of blood glucose. Washing the puncture site using warm water and soap helps to reduce the risk of infection. Waiting for a minute with the arm down before puncturing the site helps to increase blood flow and make it easier to obtain a blood sample. A blood glucose result of 120 mg/dL indicates good blood sugar control within the target range for many patients with diabetes.
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