An older adult male arrives at the healthcare center with lower abdominal discomfort and frequent urination. The nurse asks the client to provide a urine sample. After an extended period of time, the client returns with only a few drops of urine. Which action should the nurse implement?
Send the sample for laboratory evaluation.
Give the client 8 ounces (236.5 mL) of water to drink.
Evaluate the client for bladder distention.
Instruct the client to attempt to urinate again.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Sending the sample for laboratory evaluation is incorrect. Sending the urine sample for laboratory evaluation is a standard procedure to assess for any abnormalities, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney function, or other urinary tract disorders. While laboratory evaluation of the urine sample is important for diagnostic purposes, the client's difficulty providing an adequate urine sample suggests an underlying issue that needs to be addressed before obtaining a sample.
Choice B Reason:
Giving the client 8 ounces (236.5 mL) of water to drink is incorrect. Offering the client water to drink is a common intervention to encourage urine production and facilitate urine sample collection, particularly if the client is dehydrated or has difficulty producing a sample. However, given the client's symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, and difficulty providing a urine sample despite efforts, simply offering water may not adequately address the underlying issue of potential bladder distention.
Choice C Reason:
Evaluating the client for bladder distention is correct. The client's symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, and difficulty providing a urine sample after an extended period of time, along with returning with only a few drops of urine, are suggestive of potential bladder distention. Evaluating the client for bladder distention involves assessing for signs such as a visibly enlarged and palpable bladder, suprapubic discomfort or pain, and percussion of the bladder to assess for dullness, indicating fluid accumulation. Addressing bladder distention is essential to ensure the client's comfort and prevent complications associated with urinary retention.
Choice D Reason:
Instructing the client to attempt to urinate again is incorrect. Instructing the client to attempt to urinate again may be a reasonable intervention if the bladder is not distended and the client is simply having difficulty producing a urine sample. However, given the client's symptoms and the difficulty providing an adequate urine sample despite previous attempts, simply instructing the client to try again may not address the underlying issue of potential bladder distention. Evaluating for bladder distention is necessary to determine the appropriate course of action and ensure the client's comfort and safety.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Reviewing the client's serum electrolytes is incorrect. While abnormalities in electrolyte levels can sometimes contribute to neurological symptoms, such as paresthesia, reviewing the client's serum electrolytes may not directly identify additional findings consistent with the client's reported paresthesia of the hands and legs. Therefore, this option is less relevant for assessing paresthesia and identifying additional consistent findings.
Choice B Reason:
This is the correct action to identify additional findings consistent with the client's paresthesia. Paresthesia, or abnormal sensations like burning or tingling, may indicate neurological dysfunction. Assessing the client's muscle strength and hand grips can provide valuable information about neurological function and help identify any weakness or changes that may be associated with the paresthesia.
Choice C Reason:
Checking distal phalanges capillary refill is incorrect. Checking distal phalanges capillary refill is important for assessing peripheral circulation, but it may not directly identify additional findings consistent with paresthesia. While impaired circulation could contribute to sensory disturbances, such as paresthesia, it is not always the primary cause. Therefore, this option may not fully capture the sensory aspect of the client's reported symptoms.
Choice D Reason:
While observing the skin for signs of inflammation or irritation is important in assessing for other conditions, such as infection or inflammation, it is not directly related to identifying additional findings consistent with paresthesia. Paresthesia primarily involves abnormal sensations and neurological function rather than changes in the skin.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
White blood cell count (WBC) is inappropriate. White blood cell count is typically monitored to assess for signs of infection or inflammation. While it's important to monitor WBC count in certain situations, such as suspected infection, melena itself is not directly indicative of an increased risk of infection. Therefore, monitoring WBC count may not be the most immediate response to the finding of melena.
Choice B Reason:
Glucose is inappropriate. Glucose monitoring is essential for patients with diabetes or those at risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. However, melena is not directly related to glucose metabolism or regulation. Therefore, monitoring glucose levels would not be the most relevant response to the finding of melena.
Choice C Reason:
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is inappropriate. Blood urea nitrogen is often monitored to assess kidney function and hydration status. While severe bleeding can potentially lead to hypovolemia and prerenal azotemia (elevated BUN due to decreased renal perfusion), monitoring BUN would not be the immediate response to the finding of melena. Instead, assessing for signs of hypovolemia and monitoring other markers of blood loss, such as hematocrit, would be more appropriate.
Choice D Reason:
Hematocrit is appropriate. Melena refers to the passage of black, tarry stools containing blood that has been digested. It indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding, typically from the stomach or upper small intestine. Monitoring the hematocrit level is important because significant bleeding, as indicated by melena, can lead to a decrease in the hematocrit level due to the loss of red blood cells and plasma volume. Monitoring the hematocrit helps assess the severity of the bleeding and guides treatment decisions, such as the need for blood transfusions. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the hematocrit level in response to the finding of melena.
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