Twelve hours following a unilateral total knee replacement, a client reports being unable to sleep because of severe incisional pain. What is the best initial nursing action?

Instruct the client in use of the prescribed patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.

Assist the client in assuming a lateral recumbent position for comfort.

Initiate continuous passive motion (CPM) to relieve muscle spasms.

Apply ice to the incision for twenty minutes prior to joint flexion exercises.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Instructing the client in the use of the PCA pump directly addresses the severe pain by allowing the client to self-administer analgesia as needed, which provides immediate relief and is crucial for effective pain management post-surgery.
B. Assisting the client in changing positions may offer temporary relief but does not address the underlying pain, which should be managed primarily through medication.
C. Initiating CPM is not an appropriate first step for managing severe pain. CPM is used for improving joint mobility and should only be considered after effective pain management is established.
D. Applying ice might provide some temporary relief, but it is not a substitute for effective pain control through medication. Addressing the pain with PCA is the priority.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Transporting the client without protective equipment would not comply with droplet precaution protocols and could pose a risk of infection to others.
B. Placing goggles over the eyeglasses is not necessary if a surgical mask can be properly fitted, as the mask itself provides the needed protection for droplet precautions.
C. A fitted respirator-style mask is typically not required for droplet precautions; a surgical mask is sufficient.
D. Securing a surgical face mask over the bridge of the client's nose just below the eyeglasses ensures that the mask is properly fitted, providing adequate protection while allowing the client to wear their eyeglasses comfortably. This approach adheres to droplet precaution protocols.

A. White blood cell count. B. Serum sodium levels. C. Serum potassium levels. D. Creatinine clearance.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. White blood cell count is related to immune function and is not directly affected by water intoxication.
B. Serum sodium levels are the primary concern in cases of water intoxication. Excessive water intake can dilute the sodium in the blood, leading to hyponatremia, which can cause confusion, seizures, and other serious complications.
C. While serum potassium levels are important for overall electrolyte balance, they are not as immediately affected by water intoxication as sodium levels are.
D. Creatinine clearance is a measure of kidney function and does not directly relate to the immediate risks associated with water intoxication.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Twelve hours following a unilateral total knee replacement, a client reports being unable to sleep because of severe incisional pain. What is the best initial nursing action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is preparing a client placed on droplet precautions for transport from the client's room to another department. The client wears eyeglasses and refuses to remove them while being transported. Which action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse assesses that a client who is disoriented drank eight glasses of water in two hours and is continuing to drink excessive amounts of water. Because the nurse is concerned about water intoxication, which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Exhibits The wound care nurse is preparing to change the client's dressing. For each technique item, click to indicate whether the technique is indicated or not indicated. Each row must have one option selected.

Prior to receiving a 120 mL hypertonic enema, an ambulatory female client tells the nurse that she does not believe that she can walk all the way to the bathroom without expelling the enema. Which intervention is best for the nurse to implement?

A client is admitted with pneumonia and has a recent history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The client is placed in isolation. While caring for the client, which item should the nurse place in a designated biohazard bag before it is removed from the room?

To assess a client's dorsalis pedis pulse, the nurse applies firm pressure over the top of the foot between the extension tendons of the great and first toes, but does not feel a pulsation. Which action should the nurse take next?

A client who is 2 days postoperative for thoracic surgery is reporting incisional pain 2 hours after receiving pain medication. The client rates the pain as 5 on a pain scale of 1 to 10. After placing a call to the healthcare provider, which action should the nurse implement?

While electronically scanning the client's armband at the bedside prior to administering pain medication, the nurse observes the power flickers and the computer screen goes blank. The computer fails to reboot and the screen remains dark. Which action should the nurse do first?

Which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform prior to the application of a heating pad?