The patient is a 49-year-old male who has been experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever and chest congestion, for 4 days.

He came to the emergency department (ED) last night when his breathing difficulties increased. He has a history of smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years.

He has no significant medical or surgical history.

Which two orders should the nurse prioritize?

Chest x-ray

Run 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour

Sputum culture

Start oxygen 3 L/minute via nasal cannula

Start a peripheral IV

Acetaminophen 350 mg PO every 6 hours for temperature greater than 38.3° C .

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B

Choice A rationale
A chest x-ray is a critical diagnostic tool for a patient presenting with flu-like symptoms, fever, chest congestion, and increased breathing difficulties. It can help identify conditions such as pneumonia or other lung diseases, which could be causing the patient’s symptoms.
Choice B rationale
While hydration is important, running a 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour is not the most immediate need for this patient. The patient’s symptoms are primarily respiratory, and there is no indication of dehydration.
Choice C rationale
A sputum culture could be useful for diagnosing bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. However, it is not the most immediate need for this patient, as the results of a culture test can take time to come back.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Given the patient’s increased breathing difficulties, starting oxygen therapy can help improve the patient’s oxygen levels and ease their breathing.
Choice E rationale

Starting a peripheral IV might be necessary for administering medications or fluids, but it is not the most immediate need in this scenario.
Choice F rationale
While controlling the patient’s fever is important, it is not as immediate a need as performing a chest x-ray and starting oxygen therapy.

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Encouraging the client to participate in a team sport for one hour might be beneficial for the client’s physical health, but it might not be the most important intervention for a client with severe depression who spends most of the day sitting and watching television.
Choice B rationale
Assisting the client in developing a list of daily affirmations can be a helpful strategy for improving self-esteem and promoting positive thinking, but it might not be the most important intervention for a client with severe depression who spends most of the day sitting and watching television.
Choice C rationale
Scheduling the client for a group session that focuses on self-esteem can be beneficial for the client’s mental health, but it might not be the most important intervention for a client with severe depression who spends most of the day sitting and watching television.
Choice D rationale
Helping the client in identifying goals for the day can be a very effective intervention for a client with severe depression. Setting daily goals can provide the client with a sense of purpose and can help to motivate the client to engage in activities other than sitting and watching television.

A. Recommend a case management evaluation of the client’s home environment. B. Suggest the caregiver consider employing a private duty nurse for respite. C. Propose that extended family could relocate to the area to provide support. D. Advise contacting social services to locate a respite care facility for the client.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While a case management evaluation of the client’s home environment could potentially identify areas for improvement, it may not directly address the caregiver’s immediate need for relief from their caregiving responsibilities. The caregiver is experiencing sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying, which could be signs of caregiver burnout or depression. Therefore, immediate respite care may be more beneficial.

Choice B rationale
Employing a private duty nurse for respite could provide temporary relief for the caregiver. However, this option might not be feasible due to potential financial constraints. Additionally, it may not provide the caregiver with the emotional support they may need.

Choice C rationale
Proposing that extended family could relocate to the area to provide support is a potential long-term solution. However, it may not be feasible or practical for extended family members to relocate. This option also does not address the caregiver’s immediate need for relief and support.

Choice D rationale

Advising the caregiver to contact social services to locate a respite care facility for the client could provide the caregiver with the immediate relief they need. Respite care facilities offer temporary relief for caregivers by providing short-term care for the individual they are caring for. This would allow the caregiver to rest and take care of their own needs, which could help alleviate their symptoms of sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A caregiver brings a client with end-stage Alzheimer’s disease to the clinic for an appointment with the healthcare provider. The caregiver confides in the nurse about experiencing sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying. What action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client’s blood pressure cannot be measured in the arms because the client has casts on both arms and is unable to be measured in the legs because the client is in the supine position. Which action should the nurse implement?

The patient provides three positive responses to items on the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) query. What interpretation should the nurse provide to the patient?

A client with hepatic failure has an electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, and a weight gain of 4.4 lbs (2 kg) in 24 hours. What intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?

The nurse instructs an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to turn an immobilized older client with an indwelling urinary catheter every two hours. Which additional action should the nurse instruct the UAP to take each time the client is turned?

A patient with neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been prescribed dantrolene 1.5 mg/kg IV. The patient weighs 132 pounds. The label on the 250 mg vial reads, “Reconstitute with 5 mL sterile water for injection, USP. Reconstitution yields 50 mg/mL.”. How many mL should the nurse administer?

An intravenous (IV) antibiotic is prescribed for a patient with a postoperative infection. The medication is to be administered in 4 divided doses. Which schedule is best for administering this prescription?