The nurse is providing care for four patients: Patient A, diagnosed with emphysema and has an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air; Patient B, who is postoperative with a hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L); Patient C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L); and Patient D, who is scheduled for an appendectomy and has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm² (14 x 10°/L). What action should the nurse take next?
Transfer Patient D to an isolation room 24 hours prior to surgery.
Increase Patient A’s oxygen to 4 L/minute via nasal cannula.
Ensure that there are two units of packed cells available for Patient B.
Request the dietitian to include a banana in Patient C’s breakfast tray.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
There is no indication that Patient D, who is scheduled for an appendectomy and has a white blood cell (WBC) count of 14,000 mm² (14 x 10°/L), needs to be transferred to an isolation room 24 hours prior to surgery.
Choice B rationale
Patient A, diagnosed with emphysema and has an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air, does not necessarily need an increase in oxygen. An oxygen saturation of 94% is within normal limits.
Choice C rationale
Patient B, who is postoperative with a hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL (82 g/L), may require a blood transfusion. A hemoglobin level of 8.2 mg/dL is low, and having packed cells available is a prudent measure.
Choice D rationale
Patient C, newly admitted with a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L), has a normal potassium level. Including a banana in the breakfast tray is not a priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Instructing the patient that it is important to reduce the dose of the medication gradually is the best course of action. Temazepam is a benzodiazepine, and abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe and include seizures. Therefore, it’s crucial to taper off the medication under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale
Advising the patient to stop taking the medication immediately is not recommended due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Choice C rationale
Encouraging the patient to obtain a prescription for a benzodiazepine antagonist is not typically the first line of action when discontinuing temazepam.
Choice D rationale
Discussing with the patient that there may be a need for additional sleep if the feeling of fatigue is present the next day is not directly addressing the issue. The patient’s feelings of being “hungover” are likely due to the effects of the medication, not a lack of sleep.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice D rationale
In a patient with severe ulcerative colitis who has undergone surgery for a fistula repair, replacing fluids IV based on intake and output is the most important intervention to include in the plan of care. This is because patients with ulcerative colitis often experience significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal losses. Following surgery, these imbalances can be further exacerbated by factors such as fasting, surgical stress, and the use of certain medications. Therefore, careful monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balance, and appropriate IV fluid replacement, is crucial to prevent complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and renal dysfunction.
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