The nurse assesses an adult client 24 hours following abdominal surgery and finds the client's blood pressure is 98/40 mm Hg. The client is tachycardiac, restless, and irritable. Which action should the nurse perform first?

Ensure the IV solution is infusing at the prescribed rate.

Listen to lung sounds.

Notify the healthcare provider of the findings.

Check under the back for evidence of bleeding.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Ensuring that the IV solution is infusing at the prescribed rate is an important task to maintain adequate fluid and electrolyte balance, especially if the client is experiencing signs of shock or low blood pressure. However, this action alone does not address the immediate need to assess or intervene for potential critical issues such as bleeding or severe hemodynamic instability.
B.   Listening to lung sounds can help assess for pulmonary complications, such as fluid accumulation or atelectasis, which can be relevant postoperatively. However, in the context of hypotension, tachycardia, and altered mental status, the priority is to address potential critical issues related to circulatory stability and bleeding.
C.   It is essential to inform the healthcare provider of the client's condition, but this should be done after initial interventions to stabilize the client. This action is necessary but not the first priority.
D.   The first action should be to check for any signs of bleeding, especially after abdominal surgery where internal bleeding is a possibility.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, leading to muscle weakness. The patient should report any signs of muscle weakness to the healthcare provider.
B. Weight is a good indicator of fluid loss. Monitoring daily weight and reporting excessive weight loss helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the diuretic and detect potential complications.
C. Limiting fluid intake while on a diuretic can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
D. Diuretics are often prescribed for long-term management of edema. The patient should not stop taking the medication without consulting the healthcare provider.

A. Place pillows around the bed rails to provide padding. B. Watch the seizure activity and document the time and client movement. C. Manually ventilate the client with a bag-valve mask (BVM). D. Stop the IV fluids. E. Increase the supplemental oxygen to 10 L/minute via nasal cannula. F. Begin chest compressions.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

A. This is important to prevent injury but is not the priority at this time.
B. This is important for monitoring the seizure progression and for providing information to the healthcare provider. However, it should be done while simultaneously performing the more critical interventions of ventilation and oxygenation.
C. This is the highest priority as the client is experiencing respiratory failure with a respiratory rate of 4 breaths/minute. Providing artificial ventilation is crucial to oxygenate the patient.
D. This is not necessary at this point and may not be feasible during the emergency situation.
E. While not as immediate as BVM ventilation, increasing oxygen delivery is essential to improve oxygenation levels.
F. Begin chest compressions: Chest compressions are indicated for cardiac arrest, not respiratory failure.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse assesses an adult client 24 hours following abdominal surgery and finds the client's blood pressure is 98/40 mm Hg. The client is tachycardiac, restless, and irritable. Which action should the nurse perform first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client taking a prescribed diuretic for edema in the lower extremities. Which instruction should the nurse include in this teaching plan?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Exhibits The nurse identifies that the client is having a tonic clonic seizure. The oxygen saturation is 40% and the respiratory rate is 4 breaths/minute. The nurse calls for help and 2 other nurses enter the room. Which 3 interventions should be performed first?

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

After being transferred from the emergency department to a medical unit, a client vomits into an emesis basin. The nurse observes the emesis as seen in the picture. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

The nurse assesses an adult client 24 hours following abdominal surgery and finds the client's blood pressure is 98/40 mm Hg. The client is tachycardiac, restless, and irritable. Which action should the nurse perform first?

The nurse is assessing a client who is newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

The nurse observes a client who begins to exhibit continuous jerking movements, is unable to speak, and is incontinent of urine during the event. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

A client is admitted with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular hypertrophy. Which intervention is most likely to avert development of cardiomegaly and improve myocardial contractility?

Exhibits The healthcare provider comes to the bedside following the seizure and prescribes phenytoin. The nurse administers the phenytoin as prescribed. Which possible side effect(s) of phenytoin should the nurse assess for after administration? Select all that apply.