A patient with right lower-lobe pneumonia has been treated with IV antibiotics for 3 days. Which assessment data obtained by the nurse indicates that the treatment is effective?
The patient's white blood cell (WBC) count is 6000/μL.
Bronchial breath sounds are heard at the right base.
Increased tactile fremitus is palpable over the right chest.
The patient coughs up small amounts of green mucus.
The Correct Answer is A
A. A decrease in the white blood cell count toward normal levels indicates that the infection is responding to antibiotic treatment. A WBC count of 6000/μL is within the normal range for adults (usually 4,000–11,000/μL), which suggests that the body is no longer fighting a significant infection.
B. Bronchial breath sounds heard at the right base indicate consolidation, a sign of ongoing pneumonia or unresolved infection. This would suggest that the infection is not yet controlled, rather than an improvement.
C. Increased tactile fremitus indicates consolidation, which is commonly seen in pneumonia. It suggests that the infection is still present and has not resolved with treatment.
D. Green mucus can indicate the presence of purulent sputum and ongoing infection. Although the color of the mucus may change during the course of pneumonia, the presence of green mucus does not confirm that the infection is resolving, especially after three days of antibiotics.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) may cause symptoms like heartburn or dysphagia, but it would not explain the sudden, sharp pain or rigid abdomen seen with a perforated ulcer.
B. An intestinal obstruction can cause abdominal pain and distension, but the rigid, board-like abdomen is more characteristic of peritonitis from a perforated ulcer, not an obstruction.
C. Additional ulcers could cause pain and bleeding, but they would not explain the sudden, sharp pain and rigid abdomen that typically result from perforation.
D. The sudden onset of sharp, severe pain in the mid epigastric area, along with a rigid, board-like abdomen, are hallmark signs of a perforated ulcer, which causes peritonitis. This is a medical emergency, as the perforation allows gastric contents to leak into the peritoneal cavity, leading to widespread infection.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. 3% sodium chloride is a hypertonic solution used to treat severe hyponatremia and should not be used as a substitute for TPN.
B. Lactated Ringer's is an isotonic solution typically used for fluid resuscitation, but it lacks the necessary components (glucose, amino acids) that are found in TPN.
C. 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic saline solution and can be used for hydration, but it does not provide the calories and nutrients that the client is receiving through TPN.
D. Dextrose 10% in water is the best choice in this scenario. It provides glucose for energy and can help maintain blood sugar levels until the next TPN solution is available. It is commonly used as a temporary substitute for TPN to prevent hypoglycemia.
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