The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Monitor oxygen saturation

Check skin color

Assess for chest pain

Measure blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Monitoring oxygen saturation is critical in COPD, as oxygen therapy aims to maintain saturation (88–92%) to prevent hypoxia. Pulse oximetry ensures adequate oxygenation, guiding therapy adjustments, making it the priority assessment to prevent respiratory failure and optimize lung function.

Choice B reason: Checking skin color assesses cyanosis but is less precise than oxygen saturation. Pulse oximetry provides objective data on oxygenation in COPD, guiding oxygen therapy, making it the priority over subjective visual assessments, which are secondary to quantitative measures.

Choice C reason: Assessing chest pain is relevant for cardiac issues but not the primary concern in COPD oxygen therapy. Oxygen saturation directly evaluates therapy effectiveness, preventing hypoxia, making it the priority assessment to ensure respiratory stability in chronic lung disease.

Choice D reason: Measuring blood pressure monitors cardiovascular status but is secondary to oxygenation in COPD. Oxygen saturation is critical, as hypoxia exacerbates respiratory distress, requiring immediate assessment to adjust oxygen therapy, making it the priority over hemodynamic evaluations.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Warm compresses reduce morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles around inflamed joints. This alleviates synovial inflammation, improving mobility and comfort, making it a key nonpharmacologic intervention to manage early daily symptoms effectively.

Choice B reason: Restricting physical activity worsens stiffness and joint deformity in rheumatoid arthritis. Warm compresses are prioritized, as they directly reduce synovial inflammation and improve mobility, enabling gentle exercise, making complete activity restriction counterproductive to joint health and function.

Choice C reason: High-dose corticosteroids are reserved for severe rheumatoid arthritis flares, not routine morning stiffness. Warm compresses are safer, reducing stiffness through localized heat, improving joint function without systemic side effects, making them the priority intervention for daily symptom management.

Choice D reason: A high-sodium diet increases fluid retention, potentially worsening joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Warm compresses directly alleviate morning stiffness by enhancing circulation, making them the priority, as dietary sodium does not address acute joint symptoms effectively.

A. Neutropenia B. Hypertension C. Hyperkalemia D. Weight gain

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Neutropenia, a low neutrophil count, is a common chemotherapy side effect due to bone marrow suppression, increasing infection risk. Monitoring neutrophil counts is critical, as infections in breast cancer patients can be life-threatening, making it the priority side effect to assess.

Choice B reason: Hypertension is not a typical chemotherapy side effect, though some agents cause cardiovascular effects. Neutropenia is more common, compromising immunity, making it the priority to monitor, as infections pose an immediate threat in breast cancer patients on chemotherapy.

Choice C reason: Hyperkalemia is rare with chemotherapy, except in tumor lysis syndrome. Neutropenia is a frequent side effect, increasing infection risk due to marrow suppression, making it the priority to monitor, as it directly impacts patient safety during breast cancer treatment.

Choice D reason: Weight gain is not a primary chemotherapy side effect; weight loss is more common due to nausea. Neutropenia is critical to monitor, as low neutrophils increase infection risk, requiring urgent intervention in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of rheumatoid arthritis who reports morning stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse include?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of breast cancer who is receiving chemotherapy. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Which technique should the nurse use when assessing for early signs of rheumatoid arthritis?

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