The nurse is caring for a client who had surgery 1 day ago and is receiving a continuous infusion of fentanyl through an epidural catheter. Which intervention should the nurse perform first?

Assess for signs of urine retention.

Inspect epidural catheter insertion site.

Monitor the client's dermatome level for sensation.

Inquire if the client is experiencing breakthrough pain.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Assess for signs of urine retention: While important, urinary retention is a later complication. It does not take priority over assessing for potentially serious effects like respiratory depression or excessive spread of anesthesia.

B. Inspect epidural catheter insertion site: Inspecting the site helps identify infection or dislodgement but is not the first priority. Neurological and respiratory assessments take precedence due to fentanyl’s CNS effects.

C. Monitor the client's dermatome level for sensation: This assesses the spread of the anesthetic, ensuring it hasn’t ascended to high thoracic levels, which could depress respiration. It’s the most urgent check for client safety.

D. Inquire if the client is experiencing breakthrough pain: Pain assessment is critical, but ensuring safe levels of sensory block must come first to rule out excessive anesthetic spread or complications.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Frequency that the child uses a rescue inhaler during the week: While it is important to know how often the child uses a rescue inhaler, it does not provide immediate, critical information to assess the severity of the current asthma attack.

B. Type of inhaler the child typically uses on a regular basis: While knowing the type of inhaler the child uses regularly can provide insight into their asthma management, it is not the most critical information at this moment, the current treatment is he most urgent.

C. Type of allergen exposure or trigger for the current episode: Understanding the trigger for the current asthma episode is helpful for long-term management but is not as urgent in the immediate assessment of the child’s condition during an acute exacerbation.

D. Last dose and type of rescue inhaler used by the child: This information helps assess whether the child has received appropriate treatment and whether additional or different interventions are needed immediately to address the asthma exacerbation, helps guide further treatment decisions.

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

Rationale for Correct Choices:

Nephrotic Syndrome: The child’s symptoms, including edema, fatigue, increased weight despite decreased appetite, and proteinuria, point towards nephrotic syndrome. This condition involves the loss of protein (mainly albumin) in the urine, leading to edema. The laboratory result of 2+ protein in the urine and low albumin level of 2.8 g/dL are consistent with nephrotic syndrome.
Provide a low-salt diet: A low-salt diet is a key intervention in nephrotic syndrome to help manage fluid retention and edema. Sodium causes water retention, which worsens edema, and limiting salt intake can help reduce swelling and manage the symptoms effectively.
Administer albumin: Administering albumin is important in nephrotic syndrome because it helps replenish the albumin levels in the blood. Restoring the albumin levels can help reduce edema by improving osmotic pressure and preventing fluid from accumulating in the tissues.
Daily weight: Daily weight monitoring is essential to assess for changes in fluid retention. In nephrotic syndrome, fluid retention can fluctuate, and regular monitoring helps assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan and helps guide further interventions.
Abdominal girth: Monitoring abdominal girth is necessary to track the extent of fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Abdominal edema is common in nephrotic syndrome, and significant increases in girth could indicate worsening fluid retention.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

Type 1 diabetes: This presents with increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss due to elevated blood glucose levels. However, this child is experiencing weight gain despite decreased appetite and has symptoms of edema, which are not typical of diabetes.
Wilms' tumor: Wilms' tumor presents with an abdominal mass, hematuria, or pain, which is not mentioned in this case. While renal issues could cause edema, the lab results of proteinuria and low albumin suggest nephrotic syndrome rather than a malignancy like Wilms' tumor.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome: Hemolytic uremic syndrome is characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. The child does not show signs of anemia, low platelets, or kidney failure (such as elevated creatinine), which are key features of HUS.

Place the child on strict bed rest While it’s important to monitor the child closely, strict bed rest could lead to muscle weakness and decreased mobility. The focus should be on managing edema and ensuring proper fluid balance, not restricting movement.
Prepare the child for emergency surgery: Emergency surgery is not indicated for nephrotic syndrome, which is a non-surgical condition that can be managed with medications (like albumin) and lifestyle adjustments (such as a low-salt diet).
Prepare an insulin drip: An insulin drip would be appropriate for managing hyperglycemia, typically seen in diabetic emergencies. However, this child does not show any signs of diabetes or hyperglycemia. The focus is on managing nephrotic syndrome.

Lymph node size: Lymph node size is monitored in cases of infection or malignancy. In nephrotic syndrome, the primary concern is fluid retention and protein loss, not lymph node enlargement.
Bladder volume: Bladder volume monitoring is typically relevant in cases of urinary retention or other urinary tract disorders. This child’s primary concern is proteinuria and edema, which are linked to kidney function and fluid balance, rather than bladder volume.
Ketones: Monitoring ketones is generally relevant in cases of uncontrolled diabetes or prolonged fasting. However, this child is not presenting with symptoms of hyperglycemia or ketosis. Nephrotic syndrome does not typically involve ketones.

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The nurse is caring for a client who had surgery 1 day ago and is receiving a continuous infusion of fentanyl through an epidural catheter. Which intervention should the nurse perform first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A parent brings their child, who has a history of asthma, to the emergency room. The child is wheezing and speaking one word between each breath. The child is anxious, tachycardic, and has labored respirations. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Exhibits Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices area to specify which condition the client is most likely experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's progress.

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

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