An adult woman who had gastric bypass surgery two weeks ago is admitted because she is exhibiting signs of anastomosis leakage. Her vital signs are: temperature 100°F (37.8°C), blood pressure 98/50 mm Hg, heart rate 135 beats/minute, and respiratory rate 24 breaths/minute. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care?
Replace fluids intravenously based on intake and output.
Record the amount of daily wound drainage.
Assess skin condition and turgor for breakdown.
Turn every 2 hours around the clock from side-to-side.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason: This is the correct answer because the client's vital signs indicate that she is hypovolemic and dehydrated due to the leakage of gastric contents from the anastomosis site. The nurse should replace fluids intravenously to prevent shock and electrolyte imbalance.
Choice B Reason: Recording the amount of daily wound drainage is important but not the most important intervention for this client because it does not address the immediate problem of fluid loss and hypovolemia. The nurse should monitor the wound drainage for signs of infection and report any changes to the physician.
Choice C Reason: Assessing skin condition and turgor for breakdown is important but not the most important intervention for this client because it does not address the immediate problem of fluid loss and hypovolemia. The nurse should assess the skin for signs of dehydration and pressure ulcers and provide appropriate skin care.
Choice D Reason: Turning every 2 hours around the clock from side-to-side is important but not the most important intervention for this client because it does not address the immediate problem of fluid loss and hypovolemia. The nurse should turn the client to prevent complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis but also consider the client's comfort and pain level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Influenza is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets. Droplet precautions require healthcare workers to wear a mask (surgical mask) when in close contact with a client. The UAP is already wearing gloves and a gown, which are appropriate for contact precautions but incomplete without a face mask for droplet protection.
Choice B Reason: A fitted respirator (e.g., N95) is unnecessary unless the client is suspected or confirmed to have an airborne transmissible disease such as tuberculosis. Influenza does not require airborne precautions.
Choice C Reason: Assigning the UAP to provide care for another client and assuming full care of the client is not necessary or feasible because it would increase the workload of the nurse and reduce the quality of care for both clients. The UAP can still assist with care for clients with influenza as long as they follow proper infection control measures.
Choice D Reason: Instructing the UAP to notify the nurse of any changes in the client's respiratory status is important but not a priority action because it does not address the issue of preventing transmission of influenza. The nurse should first ensure that the UAP wears appropriate personal protective equipment before entering the client's room.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This intervention is the most appropriate and effective for the nurse-manager to employ, as it provides clear and objective feedback to the staff nurse based on professional criteria, and encourages a positive and constructive approach to enhance the nurse's performance and development.
Choice B Reason: This intervention is not advisable, as it may create a false impression of the staff nurse's performance and fail to address the underlying issues or problems. Documenting the nurse's negative behaviors is important for accountability and improvement purposes, and avoiding it may expose the nurse manager to legal or ethical risks.
Choice C Reason: This intervention is not optimal, as it may demoralize or discourage the staff nurse and create a negative or hostile work environment. Focusing only on the areas of weakness may overlook the strengths and potential of the staff nurse, and may not foster a supportive and collaborative relationship between the nurse- manager and the staff nurse.
Choice D Reason: This intervention is not relevant, as it may divert the attention from the staff nurse's performance and shift the blame to external factors. Discussing how the inconsistency in the staff nurse's performance disrupts the routine of all of the staff members on the unit may not help the staff nurse identify and address their own areas of improvement, and may cause resentment or conflict among the team.
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