The nurse is completing an assessment of an older adult client recovering from a total hip replacement. The client reports a decreased appetite and is concerned about having not had a bowel movement for several days. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Increase fiber in diet and add daily prune juice.

Assess type and frequency of physical activities.

Perform a digital examination for fecal impaction.

Check bowel sounds and abdominal tenderness.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Increasing dietary fiber and adding prune juice can help relieve constipation by improving bowel regularity. While this is an important step in managing constipation, it is not the first action to take without understanding the underlying cause or current status of bowel function.
B.   Physical activity is important for bowel regularity, especially post-surgery. However, assessing physical activity should come after a more immediate evaluation of the client's bowel status. It is crucial to first determine if there are other underlying issues that need addressing before implementing dietary changes or increasing activity.
C.   A digital examination can be necessary to identify fecal impaction, especially if other assessments suggest severe constipation or if the client has not had a bowel movement for several days. However, this is an invasive procedure and should be performed based on preliminary findings from non-invasive assessments.
D.   Checking bowel sounds and abdominal tenderness is an essential first step in assessing the client's gastrointestinal status. It helps identify whether there is a lack of bowel movement due to a more severe issue such as bowel obstruction or if it is simply a case of constipation.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. While assessing brain stem reflexes can provide valuable information about the neurological status of the client, it is not the immediate priority when preparing to move a client from bed to a chair. Brain stem reflexes are more relevant for assessing overall neurological function and response to stimuli, but they do not directly inform the safety and readiness of the client for physical activity.
B. Assessing the pupillary response is important for evaluating neurological function and consciousness levels. However, it is not directly related to assessing the client’s readiness to be moved from bed to a chair. Pupillary response does not provide specific information about the client’s hemodynamic stability or immediate readiness for physical activity.
C. Assessing the client’s blood pressure is crucial, especially after a stroke, as the client may be at risk for orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up). Checking blood pressure helps ensure that the client is hemodynamically stable and can tolerate the change in position without risking dizziness, fainting, or other complications.
D. Offering the client the opportunity to void before getting out of bed is a practical measure to ensure comfort and avoid accidents. It helps prevent the need for the client to seek the bathroom immediately after being moved to the chair, which could be disorienting or potentially hazardous.

A. Blood pressure is 142/88 mm Hg. B. 2+ edema of fingers and hands. C. Capillary refill time is 2 seconds. D. Radial pulse volume is 3+.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Elevated blood pressure can be a concern for overall cardiovascular health but it does not directly affect the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings.
B. Edema, or swelling, of the fingers and hands can affect the accuracy of pulse oximeter readings. Edema can impede proper light transmission through the finger, leading to falsely low oxygen saturation readings.
C. A capillary refill time of 2 seconds is within normal limits, indicating adequate peripheral perfusion. It is unlikely to affect pulse oximeter readings significantly, so this is not a likely cause of a low oxygen saturation reading.
D. A radial pulse volume of 3+ indicates a strong, full pulse. This finding typically suggests good peripheral circulation and is not likely to impact the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings.

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The nurse is completing an assessment of an older adult client recovering from a total hip replacement. The client reports a decreased appetite and is concerned about having not had a bowel movement for several days. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse attaches a pulse oximeter to a client's finger and obtains an oxygen saturation reading of 91%. Which assessment finding most likely contributes to this reading?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse finds a confused client wandering in the hallway during the night. Which actions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.

While cleansing a client's surgical incision, the nurse observes the incision as seen in the picture. How should the nurse document the appearance of the incision?

An older client with colorectal carcinoma receives a colostomy following a bowel resection and the nurse is reviewing written instructions about colostomy care that the client will take home after discharge. Which action should the nurse include when reviewing the instructions with the client?

A client who has a continuous tube feeding develops a fever and reports experiencing dyspnea. Which action should the nurse implement?

An older adult client is admitted to a long term care facility. Upon admission, the client is oriented but fatigued, is incontinent of urine, and has a stage II pressure ulcer on the left heel. Which additional finding requires further assessment?

During the shift change report, the nurse is told that a client has a stage 2 pressure injury. Which ulcer appearance is most likely to be observed?

An older adult client grimaces and demonstrates guarding behavior, but denies experiencing pain when asked by the nurse to rate the pain on a numeric scale. Which action should the nurse take next?