Patient Data
Choose the most likely options for the information missing from the statements by selecting from the lists of options provided.
Based on the client's history, physical and laboratory findings, the priority need will be to treat
The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-2":"C","dropdown-group-3":"A"}
Rationale for correct choices:
• Infection: The client presents with redness, warmth, swelling, and pain in the left lower leg, accompanied by a small cut and a history of type 2 diabetes. These findings, along with elevated temperature and glucose, indicate a bacterial skin infection requiring prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent progression.
• Sepsis: Older adults with diabetes and chronic comorbidities are at high risk for systemic infection. The client’s generalized muscle aches, fever, and elevated glucose may indicate early systemic involvement. Interventions to prevent sepsis, such as timely IV antibiotics, monitoring vital signs, and laboratory markers (e.g., WBC, lactate), are crucial to reduce life-threatening complications.
Rationale for incorrect choices:
• Congestive heart failure: While the client has a history of heart failure, the acute presentation of erythema, warmth, and localized swelling suggests infection rather than fluid overload as the priority concern. CHF management is important but secondary in this scenario.
• Kidney disease: Stage 3a chronic kidney disease is a chronic condition and does not explain the acute signs of infection. Monitoring kidney function is important for medication dosing, but it is not the immediate priority.
• Hyperglycemia: The client’s blood glucose is elevated at 252 mg/dL, likely worsened by stress and infection. Hyperglycemia requires monitoring and management, but the underlying infection poses a more immediate threat to health.
• Deep vein thrombosis: DVT can cause leg swelling and pain, but the presence of erythema, warmth, and a break in the skin indicates cellulitis rather than thrombus formation. DVT prevention may be part of ongoing care but is not the priority in this acute presentation.
• Peripheral neuropathy: The client has baseline neuropathy contributing to bilateral leg discomfort, but it does not explain the acute swelling, redness, and warmth. Pain management may be necessary, but infection treatment is urgent.
• Edema: Edema is a symptom present in several chronic conditions, including CHF and PVD, but in this case, localized edema is part of the infection process. Addressing the infection takes priority over general edema management.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Rationale for correct choices:
• Pain level presently 3 on a 0 to 10 scale: A reduction in pain from 8/10 to 3/10 indicates that the morphine is effectively alleviating the client’s pain. Effective analgesia allows for improved comfort, participation in breathing exercises, and reduced stress response.
• Client is able to take deep breaths, achieving 1,000 mL on incentive spirometer: Increased inspiratory volume demonstrates improved lung expansion, indicating that pain control is facilitating better respiratory effort. This is especially important to prevent atelectasis and maintain adequate oxygenation after rib fractures.
• Repositions in bed with minimal assistance: Ability to move with less assistance reflects improved comfort and mobility due to effective pain management. This shows the therapeutic effect of analgesia in enabling functional activity without excessive pain.
Rationale for incorrect choices:
• Client reports feeling "sleepy": Sleepiness is a common side effect of morphine, reflecting central nervous system depression rather than a therapeutic effect of pain relief. While mild sedation can accompany effective analgesia, it does not directly indicate improvement in the underlying condition.
• New mild cough noted: The appearance of a new cough is not a direct indicator of therapeutic pain relief. It may reflect airway irritation, increased secretions, or a response to deeper breathing, but it is not a measure of analgesic effectiveness.
• Attempted to get up to the chair, but experienced dizziness with standing: Dizziness indicates a side effect of the opioid (orthostatic hypotension or sedation), not a therapeutic response. This finding requires monitoring and safety interventions.
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"B"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"A"},"F":{"answers":"B"}}
Explanation
Rationale:
• Instruct incentive spirometry use every hour: Indicated to promote lung expansion and prevent complications such as pneumonia or atelectasis. Even though the infection is in the leg, maintaining adequate oxygenation and pulmonary function is critical in older adults with multiple comorbidities.
• Use petroleum-based lotion on skin: Contraindicated because petroleum-based products can trap moisture and bacteria, increasing the risk of worsening cellulitis or skin breakdown. Non-occlusive, water-based moisturizers are safer for diabetic or infected skin.
• Administer antibiotics: Indicated as the client has a bacterial infection (cellulitis) with erythema, warmth, swelling, and elevated WBC count. IV cefazolin is prescribed to treat the infection promptly and prevent progression to sepsis.
• Suggest that client ambulate often: Contraindicated because the affected leg is inflamed, painful, and at risk for injury or worsening edema. Early ambulation may exacerbate discomfort and impair healing; activity should be gradual and guided by pain tolerance and clinical stability.
• Encourage consumption of protein and vitamin C: Indicated to support wound healing and immune function. Adequate protein and vitamin C intake are essential for tissue repair and recovery from infection, particularly in older adults with chronic comorbidities.
• Apply thromboembolism deterrent stockings (TED): Indicated to prevent venous thromboembolism, especially since the client has limited mobility due to pain and swelling, advanced age, and comorbid conditions like heart failure and diabetes.
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