During an assessment of an anxious client diagnosed with right lower lobe pneumonia, the nurse notes a new onset change in mental status and tachypnea. The latest vital signs for the client are T: 98.4 F; HR: 108; RR: 28; BP: 144/90; Pulse ox: 88%. What is the priority nursing action?

Place the client on 2L via nasal cannula.

Obtain a blood glucose.

Call the physician for an order for a stat arterial blood gas to be drawn.

Request an order for lorazepam.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice a reason:
Placing the client on 2L via nasal cannula is a common intervention for hypoxemia, but with the client's pulse oximetry at 88%, which is below the normal range of 95-100%, and the presence of tachypnea, a more immediate assessment of the client's respiratory status is warranted. Oxygen therapy should be guided by the results of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis to tailor the treatment to the client's specific needs.

Choice b reason:
Obtaining a blood glucose level is not the most immediate concern in the context of altered mental status and respiratory distress. While it is important to rule out hypoglycemia as a cause of altered mental status, the primary concern indicated by the vital signs is the client's respiratory condition.

Choice c reason:
Calling the physician for an order for a stat arterial blood gas is the most appropriate action. The ABG will provide detailed information about the client's oxygenation, carbon dioxide levels, and acid-base balance. This is crucial for a client with a new onset change in mental status and tachypnea, as it can indicate respiratory failure or other serious complications of pneumonia.

Choice d reason:
Requesting an order for lorazepam is not appropriate given the client's current respiratory status. Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, can depress the central nervous system and respiratory drive, potentially worsening the client's hypoxemia and respiratory effort.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:

While polyhydramnios can be associated with congenital anomalies or fetal distress, it is not a direct indication of these conditions. Polyhydramnios refers specifically to the excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid. Congenital anomalies may lead to polyhydramnios if they affect the fetus's ability to swallow and process amniotic fluid normally, but the presence of polyhydramnios alone does not confirm these conditions.

Choice B reason:

Elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the amniotic fluid can be indicative of neural tube defects or other fetal abnormalities, but they are not a defining characteristic of polyhydramnios. Normal AFP levels in amniotic fluid at 15 to 21 weeks' gestation range from 10 to 150 ng/ml. Polyhydramnios is diagnosed based on the volume of amniotic fluid, not the AFP levels.

Choice C reason:

Carrying more than one fetus can lead to an increased amount of amniotic fluid, potentially resulting in polyhydramnios. However, the diagnosis of polyhydramnios itself does not imply a multiple gestation pregnancy. It simply indicates that there is more amniotic fluid than usual.

Choice D reason:

Polyhydramnios is defined as an excessive amount of amniotic fluid. It is typically diagnosed when the amniotic fluid index (AFI) exceeds 24 cm or the single deepest pocket (SDP) measures more than 8 cm. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including fetal anomalies, maternal diabetes, and other medical conditions.

A. Abdominal distention B. Hypoactive bowel sounds C. Diarrhea D. Fever

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Abdominal distention is a common finding in large bowel obstruction due to the accumulation of intestinal contents, gas, and fluid proximal to the obstruction site. This can lead to a visibly swollen abdomen and is often accompanied by discomfort or pain.

Choice B Reason:
Hypoactive bowel sounds are expected in large bowel obstruction as the peristaltic activity decreases below the point of obstruction. Initially, bowel sounds may be high-pitched or tinkling due to the intestine's attempt to move contents past the obstruction, but as the condition progresses, the sounds become less frequent or even absent.

Choice C Reason:
Diarrhea is not typically associated with large bowel obstruction. In fact, constipation or cessation of stool is a more common symptom. If diarrhea occurs, it may be due to a partial obstruction or the presence of liquid stool that can pass around the blockage.

Choice D Reason:
Fever may indicate a complication of large bowel obstruction, such as ischemia or perforation, leading to infection and inflammation. However, fever is not a primary symptom of uncomplicated large bowel obstruction and should prompt immediate further investigation.

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During an assessment of an anxious client diagnosed with right lower lobe pneumonia, the nurse notes a new onset change in mental status and tachypnea. The latest vital signs for the client are T: 98.4 F; HR: 108; RR: 28; BP: 144/90; Pulse ox: 88%. What is the priority nursing action?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted to the maternity unit at 38 weeks of gestation and who is experiencing polyhydramnios. The nurse should understand that this diagnosis means which of the following?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client is diagnosed with a large bowel obstruction. Which assessment findings by the nurse would be expected?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The edited text with the question and the choices labeled from a to d is as follows: The nurse who assesses a client as having paranoid personality disorder is most likely to describe the client as:

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