Patient Data
The nurse is reviewing the client's initial assessment findings.
Which assessment findings require follow-up? Select all that apply.
IV site without redness or swelling
Temperature: 98.8° F (37.1° C)
Respirations: 28 breaths/minute
Heart rate: 92 beats/minute
Taking shallow breaths
Alert and oriented to person, place, time and situation
Pain 8 on a 0 to 10 scale
Blood pressure: 138/82 mm Hg
Blood pressure: 138/82 mm Hg
Correct Answer : C,E,G
A. IV site without redness or swelling: The IV site appears normal with no signs of infiltration or infection, so no immediate follow-up is required. This finding indicates proper IV insertion and maintenance.
B. Temperature: 98.8° F (37.1° C): This is within normal limits and does not indicate fever or infection, so it does not require immediate follow-up.
C. Respirations: 28 breaths/minute: This is above the normal adult range (12–20 breaths/minute) and may indicate respiratory distress due to pain, shallow breathing, or possible pulmonary complications such as atelectasis or pneumonia, requiring close monitoring and follow-up.
D. Heart rate: 92 beats/minute: Slightly elevated but within mild tachycardia range, which could be related to pain or anxiety. It should be monitored but does not require urgent follow-up.
E. Taking shallow breaths: Shallow breathing is concerning in a client with rib fractures, as it increases the risk for hypoventilation, atelectasis, and pneumonia. This requires immediate intervention, such as pain management and respiratory support.
F. Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation: Cognitive status is normal, so no follow-up is needed.
G. Pain 8 on a 0 to 10 scale: Severe pain limits deep breathing and mobility, increasing the risk of complications. Pain management should be addressed promptly to improve comfort and respiratory function.
H. Blood pressure: 138/82 mm Hg: Slightly elevated, likely related to pain or stress. Monitor trends, but it does not require immediate follow-up at this time.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Place a warm blanket on the client: Providing warmth may improve comfort temporarily but does not address the underlying cause of the client’s cool, moist hands, prolonged capillary refill, or low urine output, which suggest possible hypovolemia or shock.
B. Administer IV fluids per protocol: The client’s signs restlessness, cool clammy skin, prolonged capillary refill, and low urine output indicate hypoperfusion likely due to fluid deficit. Administering IV fluids promptly helps restore circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
C. Review the medication administration record: While medication review is important for overall safety, it does not address the immediate risk of hypovolemic shock or low urine output in this client.
D. Check the urinary catheter for an occlusion: Although checking for blockage is reasonable if a catheter is present, the client’s overall clinical presentation points to systemic hypovolemia rather than a localized urinary obstruction.
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Rationale for Correct Choices:
• Extrapyramidal reaction: The client exhibits muscle stiffness, constant leg shaking, forward-backward rocking, and abnormal head positioning, all of which are hallmark signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) often caused by antipsychotic medications like haloperidol and chlorpromazine. Recognizing EPS early prevents further complications such as severe dystonia or Parkinsonism.
• Initiate one-on-one observation: Continuous observation is essential to ensure client safety, particularly due to agitation, abnormal movements, and risk of injury from dystonia or uncontrolled motor activity, which can be exacerbated in psychiatric patients on antipsychotics.
• Education on administration and side effects of haloperidol: Teaching the client and caregivers about haloperidol’s potential side effects, including EPS, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia, enhances adherence, promotes early reporting of adverse effects, and supports safe medication management.
• Gait and muscle strength: Monitoring gait and muscle strength allows the nurse to track the severity and progression of extrapyramidal symptoms, assess mobility limitations, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions like anticholinergic medications or dosage adjustments.
• Improvement in symptoms: Observing improvement in EPS or agitation provides measurable evidence that interventions are effective, guiding ongoing care and any necessary modifications to therapy or dosing.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices:
• Mucositis: Mucositis involves inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes, typically related to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and is not consistent with this client’s current presentation of abnormal motor activity and psychiatric symptoms.
•Hypertensive crisis: The client’s blood pressure is within a normal to mildly elevated range, and there are no signs of acute end-organ damage, so hypertensive crisis is unlikely in this scenario.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinsonism is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by resting tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity, not acute onset EPS triggered by antipsychotic use in a young adult with schizophrenia.
• Institute oral hygiene to prevent candidiasis: Oral hygiene is generally important but does not address the acute neurological side effects of antipsychotic medications, making it nonessential for EPS management.
• Immediate dietician consult: While nutrition is important, it is not immediately relevant for extrapyramidal symptoms and does not address the urgent motor complications caused by antipsychotics.
• Administer antihypertensive: The client’s blood pressure is not critically elevated, and there are no indications of hypertensive emergency, so antihypertensive therapy is unnecessary.
• Blood pressure: Monitoring blood pressure is routine but not directly related to tracking extrapyramidal symptoms or response to antipsychotic therapy in this case.
• Swallowing: While dysphagia can occur in severe EPS, this client does not currently present with swallowing difficulties, making it less critical to monitor compared to gait and muscle strength.
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