An elderly male patient, who has been experiencing abdominal pain, is admitted to the hospital from a long-term care facility.
He hasn’t had a bowel movement in 7 days, his abdomen is distended, and he recently vomited 150 mL of dark brown emesis.
In what order should the nurse perform the following interventions? Arrange from highest to lowest priority.
Complete a focused assessment.
Offer PRN pain medication.
Send the emesis sample to the lab.
Elevate the head of the bed.
The Correct Answer is A,D,B,C
- Complete a focused assessment: The first step in managing a patient with abdominal pain and other symptoms is to perform a comprehensive assessment. This will help identify the cause of the symptoms and guide subsequent interventions.
- Offer PRN pain medication: Once the immediate risks have been addressed, managing the patient’s pain is a priority. However, the choice of pain medication will depend on the results of the assessment.
- Send the emesis sample to the lab: Sending the emesis sample to the lab can provide valuable information about the cause of the patient’s symptoms. However, this is not as urgent as the other interventions.
- Elevate the head of the bed: Elevating the head of the bed can help reduce the risk of aspiration, especially in a patient who has vomited. This should be done as soon as possible.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice D rationale
Scheduling frequent rest periods can help manage the fatigue and concentration problems reported by the client. These symptoms are common in clients with CKD and elevated BUN and serum creatinine levels.
Choice A rationale
Administering PRN oxygen may not be necessary unless the client is showing signs of respiratory distress or hypoxia. There is no indication of this in the question.
Choice B rationale
Providing high protein snacks is not recommended for clients with CKD. High protein diets can increase the workload on the kidneys and worsen kidney function.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring glucose levels every 4 hours is not directly related to the client’s reported symptoms or the elevated BUN and serum creatinine levels.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Keeping the head of the bed raised 45 degrees can help improve lung expansion and reduce the risk of aspiration, which is particularly important for patients who are intubated or receiving enteral nutrition. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with septic shock.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring the patient’s blood glucose level is important, especially if the patient is receiving insulin or parenteral nutrition, as these can increase blood glucose levels. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with septic shock.
Choice C rationale
Assessing the warmth of the patient’s extremities can provide information about peripheral perfusion and may be useful in monitoring the patient’s response to treatment. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with septic shock.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Maintaining strict intake and output is crucial in managing a patient with septic shock. Fluid balance is a key component of managing septic shock, and accurate intake and output measurements are essential for guiding fluid resuscitation and assessing the patient’s response to treatment.
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