The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an older client who is receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer. Which finding is the highest priority for the PN to report to the charge nurse?
Reference ranges:
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): [Adult: 10 to 20 mg/dL or 3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L]
- Platelets: [150,000 to 400,000/mm3 or 150 to 400 x 10^9/L]
Periodic nausea and vomiting
Decreased deep tendon reflexes
Platelet count 135,000/mm3 or 135 x 10^9/L
Blood urea nitrogen 75 mg/dL or 12.9 mmol/L
The Correct Answer is D
A high blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level indicates impaired renal function, which can be caused by dehydration, infection, or nephrotoxic drugs. Chemotherapy can damage the kidneys and increase the risk of renal failure. The PN should report this finding to the charge nurse, as it may require fluid replacement, dose adjustment, or discontinuation of the chemotherapy.
The other options are not correct because:
- Periodic nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy that can be managed with antiemetics, hydration, and dietary modifications. They are not as urgent as a high BUN level.
- Decreased deep tendon reflexes may indicate hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, or peripheral neuropathy, which can be caused by chemotherapy or other factors. They are not as urgent as a high BUN level.
- A platelet count of 135,000/mm3 or 135 x 10^9/L is slightly below the normal range, but not significantly low. Chemotherapy can cause thrombocytopenia, which increases the risk of bleeding. The PN should monitor the client for signs of bleeding, but this finding is not as urgent as a high BUN level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Incorrect- While the history of vomiting is important to assess, it may not be the most crucial information to gather at this point, as the client is postoperative and the focus is on immediate postoperative care.
B) Incorrect- While assessing for fluid intake is important, the client's refusal of ice chips is not an urgent concern compared to other potential complications, such as pain management, oxygenation, and fluid balance.
C) Incorrect- These assessments are important, but the client's history of right hemicolectomy and the current infusion and medication administration require closer attention to fluid balance, pain control, and oxygenation.
D) Correct- While all options are important to consider, the most critical information in this scenario is assessing peripheral pulses and the range of motion of both legs. A right hemicolectomy involves abdominal surgery and decreased or absent peripheral pulses along with a limited range of motion could indicate impaired circulation, thrombosis, or other post-operative complications. These findings might necessitate prompt intervention to prevent potential complications.
Correct Answer is ["A","E"]
Explanation
The level of hypoxemia that the child may have experienced during the submersion depends on several factors, but the most important ones are:
- The **temperature of water**: Cold water can induce a diving reflex, which lowers the heart rate and oxygen consumption, and may protect the brain from hypoxic injury¹². Cold water can also cause laryngospasm, which prevents water aspiration but also impairs gas exchange.
- The **amount of time the child was submerged**: The longer the submersion, the more severe the hypoxemia and the higher the risk of brain damage and death. The survival rate decreases significantly after 5 minutes of submersion³.
The other factors are less relevant or not directly related to the level of hypoxemia:
- The **weight of the child**: This may affect the buoyancy and the ability to float or swim, but not the oxygen consumption or gas exchange during submersion¹.
- The **oxygen concentration of the ambient air**: This may affect the pre-submersion oxygen saturation, but not the rate of oxygen depletion or gas exchange during submersion¹.
- The **witnessing of the fall into the pool**: This may affect the time to rescue and resuscitation, but not the level of hypoxemia during submersion.
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