In assigning client care to a nurse and a practical nurse (PN), it is most important to assign which client to the nurse?

The client two days post-thyroidectomy and is unable to speak clearly due to laryngeal nerve damage.

The client newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism and who is to receive the first dose of levothyroxine.

The client with diabetes and has an elevated serum glycosylated Hgb (Hgb A1C).

The client exhibiting signs of Addison's crisis after corticosteroids were discontinued.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason: This client has a potential airway obstruction and needs close monitoring by the nurse. Laryngeal nerve damage can cause vocal cord paralysis, which can lead to respiratory distress and aspiration.

Choice B Reason: This client needs education on the medication and its side effects, but this can be done by the PN under the supervision of the nurse. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone that replaces deficient hormones in hypothyroidism.

Choice C Reason: This client needs ongoing management of diabetes, but this can be done by the PN under the supervision of the nurse. Glycosylated Hgb (Hgb A1C) is a measure of the average blood glucose level over the past three months.

Choice D Reason: This client has a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment with corticosteroids, but this can be done by the PN under the supervision of the nurse. Addison's crisis is a severe form of adrenal insufficiency that causes hypotension, shock, and electrolyte imbalance.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This client may have an infection or sepsis, which are life-threatening complications of surgery. The nurse should assess the client's vital signs, wound appearance, and laboratory results, and notify the physician immediately.

Choice B reason: This client has a chest tube to drain the pleural fluid and re-expand the lung. The amount of drainage is within normal limits and does not indicate an emergency. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory status, oxygen saturation, and chest tube function.

Choice C reason: This client has a gunshot wound that may have caused tissue damage and bleeding. The dressing with 2 cm-sized dark red drainage may indicate fresh bleeding, but it is not excessive. The nurse should check the dressing for signs of infection, change it as ordered, and report any changes to the physician.

Choice D reason: This client has a Jackson-Pratt drain to collect the fluid from the surgical site after a mastectomy. The amount of serosanguineous fluid is expected and does not indicate a problem. The nurse should empty and measure the drain output, record it, and report any abnormalities to the physician.

A. One hour after receiving hydromorphone prescribed for every 4 hours PRN use, a client reports severe pain. B. Two hours after receiving morphine for acute pain, a client's vital signs are BP 112/60 mm Hg, pulse 88 beats/minute, and respirations 14 breaths/minute. C. After ambulating, a postoperative client grimaces and reports incisional pain at a "9 on a ten-point scale". D. The fentanyl transdermal patch for a client with chronic cancer pain needs to be replaced.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This client may need another dose of hydromorphone if the pain is not relieved by the previous one. A PN can administer this medication under the supervision of a RN and monitor the client's response.

Choice B Reason: This client's vital signs are within normal limits and indicate that the morphine is effective and not causing respiratory depression. A PN can assess and document the client's vital signs and pain level.

Choice C Reason: This is the correct answer because this client has acute and severe pain that may require immediate intervention and reassessment. An RN can evaluate the cause and severity of the pain, administer additional analgesics as prescribed, and implement nonpharmacological measures to relieve the pain.

Choice D Reason: This client has chronic and stable pain that is managed by a fentanyl patch. A PN can replace the patch according to the schedule and instructions provided by the RN.

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In assigning client care to a nurse and a practical nurse (PN), it is most important to assign which client to the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse receives a change-of-shift report from the prior nurse assigned to a group of clients on a post-surgical unit. Which client requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

It is most important to assign which client to a registered nurse rather than a practical nurse (PN)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The charge nurse in an emergency center is planning client care assignments for the staff. Which action may be safely delegated to the practical nurse (PN)?

A 5-year-old boy with mumps is being transferred to the pediatric unit. Which nursing intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

A client with influenza is admitted to the medical unit. The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) preparing to enter the client's room to take vital signs and assist with personal care. The UAP has applied gloves and a gown. Which action should the nurse take?

A client with life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound to the abdomen is mechanically ventilated and sedated. The client has a large family present who are asking multiple and repetitive questions. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

The nurse determines that an IV vesicant chemotherapy infusion is infiltrated. In responding to this finding, which task can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

The nurse leading a care team on a medical surgical unit is assigning client care to a practical nurse (PN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task should the nurse delegate to the PN?

The home health aide caring for a home bound hospice client calls to inform the nurse that the client has reported feeling constipated. Which task should the nurse instruct the home health aide to perform?