An older client recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility after aortic valve replacement surgery is experiencing anxiety and difficulty adjusting to the transition. The healthcare provider prescribes an antidepressant and a mild sedative for sleep. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?
Obtain a blood pressure reading before the client gets out of bed.
Monitor and record the client's urinary output every day.
Provide the client with teaching regarding a cardiac diet.
Assess the client's vital signs every 4 hours when awake.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Obtain a blood pressure reading before the client gets out of bed. This is the most important intervention, as it can prevent or detect orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when changing position from lying to standing. Orthostatic hypotension can cause dizziness, fainting, or falls, and it can be caused by medications, dehydration, or cardiac problems.
Choice B reason: Monitor and record the client's urinary output every day. This is not the most important intervention, as it does not address the client's anxiety or adjustment issues. The urinary output should be monitored for signs of fluid balance, kidney function, or infection, but it is not a priority for this client.
Choice C reason: Provide the client with teaching regarding a cardiac diet. This is not the most important intervention, as it does not address the client's anxiety or adjustment issues. The cardiac diet should be taught to promote heart health, lower cholesterol, and reduce sodium intake, but it is not a priority for this client.
Choice D reason: Assess the client's vital signs every 4 hours when awake. This is not the most important intervention, as it does not address the client's anxiety or adjustment issues. The vital signs should be assessed for signs of infection, pain, or hemodynamic instability, but they are not a priority for this client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B reason: initiating a continuous infusion of IV fluids per prescription has highest priority for an infant with pyloric stenosis who is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. Pyloric stenosis causes projectile vomiting and dehydration, which can lead to metabolic alkalosis and electrolyte imbalance. The infant needs IV fluids to correct these abnormalities and prevent complications.
Choice A reason: marking an outline of the “olive-shaped” mass in the right epigastric area is not a priority action for an infant with pyloric stenosis who is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. The “olive-shaped” mass is a palpable sign of pyloric stenosis, but it does not require any intervention before surgery.
Choice C reason: monitoring amount of intake and infant's response to feedings is not a priority action for an infant with pyloric stenosis who is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. The infant may have difficulty feeding due to vomiting and gastric distension, which can worsen their dehydration and malnutrition. The infant may need to be kept NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery.
Choice D reason: instructing parents regarding care of the incisional area is not a priority action for an infant with pyloric stenosis who is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. The incisional area will need proper care after surgery, but this can be taught later when the infant is stable and ready for discharge.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Providing bedside equipment for transmission and protective precautions is not the first action that the nurse should implement, as this is a standard precaution that should be already in place for all clients in the critical care unit. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B reason: Evaluating daily serum electrolytes and hydration status is not the first action that the nurse should implement, as this is a routine assessment that can be done later after addressing the immediate problem of infection. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C reason: Culturing sputum, urine, burn wound, and all intravenous access sites is the first action that the nurse should implement, as this can help identify the source and type of infection, which can guide the appropriate antibiotic therapy and prevent further complications. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice D reason: Implementing central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) protocols is not the first action that the nurse should implement, as this is a preventive measure that may not be applicable for this client who already has SIRS. This is another distractor choice.
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