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 B
Explanation
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is a synthetic hormone used to treat diabetes insipidus, which is a condition that causes excessive urination and thirst due to a lack of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) production in the body. By mimicking the effects of ADH, Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) helps to reduce the amount of urine produced by the body and increase water reabsorption, which helps to alleviate symptoms of diabetes insipidus.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient's urinary output and ensure that it decreases in response to the medication. It is important to note that Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) can also cause hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood), so sodium levels should also be monitored during treatment.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Since the patient's pre meal blood sugar is 311 mg/dL, according to the sliding scale, the patient requires 8 units of Humalog insulin. Therefore, the nurse should administer 8 units of Humalog insulin before the patient's meal. It is important to note that if the patient's blood glucose level is greater than 400 mg/dL, the nurse should call the MD instead of administering insulin. Keeping the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) is not necessary in this situation, as the patient is awake, alert, and able to swallow, and will require their meal for adequate nutrition. However, it is important to monitor the patient's blood glucose level after administering insulin and adjust the dosage if necessary.
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