Following three days of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, an older adult is admitted with severe dehydration. After two attempts, the nurse secured venous access using a 24-gauge IV catheter and began infusing 0.9% normal saline at 150 mL/hour. Minutes later, the client reports pain at the IV site. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Assess the IV site for blood return.

Stop the 0.9% normal saline infusion.

Establish IV access in a different extremity.

Select a different gauge IV needle.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Assessing blood return checks patency, but pain suggests infiltration or phlebitis, where saline leaks into tissues. Stopping the infusion prevents further tissue damage, as extravasation causes swelling or necrosis, especially in dehydrated elderly clients, making assessment secondary to halting infusion.

Choice B reason: Stopping the saline infusion is the priority, as pain at the IV site suggests infiltration or phlebitis, with fluid irritating tissues or veins. Halting infusion prevents damage, allowing safe assessment and management, critical in fragile elderly veins, ensuring no further harm during rehydration.

Choice C reason: Establishing new IV access is necessary post-infiltration but not first. Pain indicates ongoing tissue irritation from saline leakage, requiring immediate infusion cessation to prevent damage. Stopping the infusion ensures safety before reattempting access, critical in dehydrated patients needing fluid replacement.

Choice D reason: Selecting a different gauge needle is irrelevant, as the 24-gauge catheter is placed, and pain indicates infiltration, not size. Stopping the infusion prevents extravasation, which risks compartment syndrome in elderly clients, making this less immediate than halting the infusion for safety.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: A red blood cell count of 3.5 x 10⁶/µL indicates anemia from myelosuppression, reducing oxygen transport. RBCs do not fight infection, so this does not support “risk for infection.” Low WBCs impair immune defense, increasing infection susceptibility, making WBC count more relevant to the nursing problem in this context.

Choice B reason: A WBC count of 1,500/mm³ indicates severe leukopenia from myelosuppression, reducing neutrophil production. This impairs immune response, significantly raising infection risk, as pathogens overwhelm the body’s defenses. This lab value directly supports “risk for infection,” necessitating precautions like isolation or antibiotics to prevent opportunistic infections.

Choice C reason: Hematocrit of 33% reflects anemia in myelosuppression, lowering oxygen delivery. This causes fatigue but does not increase infection risk, as RBCs are not immune cells. WBCs, particularly neutrophils, are critical for infection defense, making low WBC count more relevant to the nursing problem than hematocrit.

Choice D reason: Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL indicates anemia, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity in myelosuppression. This does not directly increase infection risk, as hemoglobin is not involved in immunity. Low WBCs compromise pathogen defense, making WBC count the key value supporting “risk for infection” in this client’s care plan.

A. Question the client about related symptoms. B. Palpate the inguinal area for a bulge. C. Inspect the urethral meatus for abnormalities. D. Observe the scrotum for swelling.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Questioning about related symptoms (e.g., urgency, frequency) clarifies nocturia and hesitancy, suggesting causes like benign prostatic hyperplasia. This comprehensive data guides targeted assessments, ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment, per urological assessment and patient history standards in elderly male nursing care.

Choice B reason: Palpating for an inguinal bulge assesses hernia, unrelated to nocturia or hesitancy. Questioning related symptoms better identifies urinary issues, guiding diagnosis. Hernias are not primary causes, per urological assessment and differential diagnosis protocols in nursing care for urinary complaints.

Choice C reason: Inspecting the meatus for abnormalities or discharge may follow but is less comprehensive than symptom questioning, which broadens the urinary history. Symptoms like hesitancy suggest internal issues, per urological assessment and benign prostatic hyperplasia diagnostic standards in nursing practice for elderly men.

Choice D reason: Observing scrotal swelling assesses testicular issues, not directly linked to nocturia or hesitancy. Questioning symptoms like weak stream or dribbling prioritizes urinary tract evaluation, per urological and geriatric assessment protocols in nursing care for male urinary symptoms.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

An older male client reports nocturia with difficulty starting his urine stream. Which additional assessment should the nurse perform to obtain further data related to this information?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client with a history of schizophrenia, and drug and alcohol abuse is admitted to the hospital for hepatitis. The nurse should contact the healthcare provider before implementing which prescription?

An older adult male client with schizophrenia is found smearing feces on the bathroom walls of the chronic mental health unit where he resides. Which action should the nurse implement?

A primigravida at 40 weeks gestation is contracting every 2 minutes, and her cervix is 9 cm dilated and 100% effaced. The fetal heart rate is 120 beats/minute. The client is screaming and her husband is alarmed. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

The nurse is providing teaching to a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus about important points for disease and symptom management. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?

Prior to initiating digital removal of a fecal impaction, it is most important for the nurse to perform which client assessment?

Five months following treatment for Herpes zoster (shingles), an older adult client tells the home health nurse of continuing to experience pain where the rash occurred. Which action should the nurse implement?

After a week of bedrest, a client is being assisted to a chair for the first time. The nurse raises the head of the bed and moves the client to a sitting position. Which action should the nurse implement next?