A patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) is admitted to the medical unit for testing.
The patient reports frequent episodes of angina over the past few days and is currently experiencing shortness of breath, nausea, and chest pressure.
After obtaining the patient’s vital signs, what should be the nurse’s next course of action?

Count and record the number of premature ventricular contractions per minute.

Apply oxygen via nasal cannula and adjust to maintain oxygen saturation above 93%.

Ensure troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3 to 6 hours for a series of three.

Initiate dim lighting, lower alarm volumes, and control traffic in and out of the room area.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale

Counting and recording the number of premature ventricular contractions per minute is not the immediate priority for a patient experiencing symptoms of angina and shortness of breath. While it is important to monitor the patient’s heart rhythm, the immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.

Choice B rationale

Applying oxygen via a nasal cannula and adjusting to maintain oxygen saturation above 93% is the immediate priority for a patient experiencing symptoms of angina and shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy can help to relieve the symptoms of angina and improve the patient’s oxygen saturation.

Choice C rationale

Ensuring troponin level assessments are scheduled every 3 to 6 hours for a series of three is important for diagnosing a heart attack, but it is not the immediate priority. The immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.

Choice D rationale

Initiating dim lighting, lowering alarm volumes, and controlling traffic in and out of the room area can help to create a calm and quiet environment for the patient. However, this is not the immediate priority. The immediate priority is to address the patient’s symptoms and stabilize their condition.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice D rationale

In a patient with severe ulcerative colitis who has undergone surgery for a fistula repair, replacing fluids IV based on intake and output is the most important intervention to include in the plan of care. This is because patients with ulcerative colitis often experience significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal losses. Following surgery, these imbalances can be further exacerbated by factors such as fasting, surgical stress, and the use of certain medications. Therefore, careful monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balance, and appropriate IV fluid replacement, is crucial to prevent complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and renal dysfunction.

A. Instruct the patient that it is important to reduce the dose of the medication gradually. B. Advise the patient to stop taking the medication immediately. C. Encourage the patient to obtain a prescription for a benzodiazepine antagonist. D. Discuss with the patient that there may be a need for additional sleep if the feeling of fatigue is present the next day.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Instructing the patient that it is important to reduce the dose of the medication gradually is the best course of action. Temazepam is a benzodiazepine, and abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe and include seizures. Therefore, it’s crucial to taper off the medication under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale

Advising the patient to stop taking the medication immediately is not recommended due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Choice C rationale

Encouraging the patient to obtain a prescription for a benzodiazepine antagonist is not typically the first line of action when discontinuing temazepam.

Choice D rationale

Discussing with the patient that there may be a need for additional sleep if the feeling of fatigue is present the next day is not directly addressing the issue. The patient’s feelings of being “hungover” are likely due to the effects of the medication, not a lack of sleep.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with a history of inflammatory bowel disease develops severe ulcerative colitis and is admitted to the intensive care unit after surgery for a fistula repair.Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient taking temazepam informs you, the nurse, of plans to quit taking the medication due to feelings of being “hungover” the next day.What action should you implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A newly recruited unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to a home healthcare team along with two experienced UAPs.What intervention should the home health nurse implement to ensure adequate care for all clients?

As a nurse, you are reviewing the orders and planning initial steps for caring for the same patient.Which interventions should you perform?

A nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a small bowel resection and has a history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which nursing intervention is most crucial to minimize the risk of a MRSA recurrence in the postoperative wound?

A straight catheter produced 500 mL of clear yellow urine. For each finding, indicate whether the findings suggest that the client’s condition has improved or put the client at risk for hypovolemia. Each column must have at least one selection.

The nurse is preparing a client for an outpatient thoracentesis.Which statement made by the client indicates a need for additional education?

An older adult client with dementia is refusing to allow an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to assist in bathing.The client is becoming increasingly agitated and stating the UAP “wants to hurt me and tie me up.”. Which approach should the nurse use with this client?