While interviewing a newly admitted older female client, the nurse observes that the client ignores questions asked by the nurse, and speaks loudly to her son who brought her to the hospital. Which action should the nurse implement first?

Stand directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss

Perform a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes.

Begin to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room

Obtain a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Stand directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss:
The client's behavior of ignoring questions and speaking loudly to her son may suggest a hearing impairment. By standing directly in front of the client and asking about any hearing loss, the nurse can assess whether hearing impairment might be contributing to the communication difficulties. This action addresses a potential physiological cause of the observed behavior and allows the nurse to gather essential information to adapt communication strategies effectively.

B) Perform a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes:
While assessing the client's mental status is important, the observed behavior may be more indicative of a communication issue related to hearing loss rather than a cognitive impairment. Therefore, assessing hearing status would be more appropriate as the initial action.

C) Begin to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room:
Orienting the client to her surroundings is important for promoting comfort and reducing confusion, but it may not directly address the observed communication difficulties. Assessing for hearing loss should be prioritized to determine if it contributes to the client's behavior.

D) Obtain a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests:
Conducting Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests may be indicated to assess hearing acuity and differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. However, obtaining a tuning fork and performing these tests should occur after gathering initial information about the client's hearing status through direct questioning. Therefore, assessing for hearing loss should be the first action taken by the nurse.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Sharp, severe pain:
Percussion of the costovertebral angle (CVA) elicits sharp, severe pain in a client with pyelonephritis. This response indicates inflammation of the kidney and surrounding tissues, which is typical in pyelonephritis.

B) Audible thud without pain:
An audible thud without pain is a normal finding when percussing the CVA and would not be expected in a client with pyelonephritis.

C) Rigidity and firmness:
Rigidity and firmness may be related to muscle guarding or abdominal assessment findings, but they are not specific to CVA percussion and pyelonephritis.

D) Rebound tenderness:
Rebound tenderness is a sign of peritoneal irritation and is assessed by pressing on the abdomen and quickly releasing. It is not the typical finding associated with CVA percussion in pyelonephritis.

A. Number of blood clots expelled with each stool. B. Evidence of internal hemorrhoids. C. Unique odor noted with gastrointestinal bleeding. D. Color characteristics of each stool.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Number of blood clots expelled with each stool:
While the number of blood clots expelled with each stool may be relevant in assessing the severity of bleeding, it does not provide as much information about the potential underlying causes of bleeding as documenting the color characteristics of the stool does. Therefore, although it may be noted, it is not the most crucial aspect to document initially.

B. Evidence of internal hemorrhoids:
Documenting evidence of internal hemorrhoids is important in assessing rectal bleeding, but it is not as fundamental as documenting the color characteristics of the stool. Internal hemorrhoids can be one potential cause of rectal bleeding, but other more serious conditions may also cause bleeding, so a comprehensive assessment of the stool is necessary.

C. Unique odor noted with gastrointestinal bleeding:
While gastrointestinal bleeding may have a distinct odor, documenting this alone does not provide as much diagnostic information as describing the color characteristics of the stool. Documenting odor may be important in some cases, but it is not as critical as documenting the color of the stool, which can help identify potential causes of bleeding.

D. Color characteristics of each stool:
When evaluating rectal bleeding, documenting the color characteristics of each stool is crucial. Different colors of stool can indicate various underlying causes of bleeding. Bright red blood typically suggests lower gastrointestinal bleeding, while darker, tarry stools (melena) may indicate bleeding higher in the gastrointestinal tract. Describing the color, consistency, and presence of any abnormal substances in the stool helps healthcare providers assess the severity and potential causes of the bleeding.

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While interviewing a newly admitted older female client, the nurse observes that the client ignores questions asked by the nurse, and speaks loudly to her son who brought her to the hospital. Which action should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client with pyelonephritis who has urgency and burning while urinating. Which finding indicates an expected response when the nurse percusses the costovertebral angle?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

When evaluating a client's rectal bleeding, which findings should the nurse document?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client who is admitted for an acute stroke reports the onset of a burning sensation in the hands and legs. Which action should the nurse implement to identify additional findings that are consistent with the client's paresthesia?

While auscultating a client's breath sounds, the nurse hears vesicular sounds in the bases of both lungs posteriorly. Which action should the nurse take in response to this finding?

A male client arrives at the clinic for follow-up health assessment after recent antibiotic treatment for pneumonia without hospitalization. Which technique should the nurse implement to assess for adventitious lung sounds?

While completing a health assessment for a client being admitted with bilateral pneumonia, the nurse asks the client to describe the sputum. Which communication technique should the nurse use to obtain this information?

When inspecting the client's skin, the nurse observes several areas of ecchymosis on the trunk and extremities. Which information in the client's history requires additional follow-up by the nurse?

While percussing the borders of the heart, the nurse picks up an area of dullness beginning at the 5th left intercostal space and moving upward to the 2nd left intercostal space at the sternal border. What do these findings indicate?

An adult client exhibits an allergic reaction to an insect bite. The nurse should observe the client's skin for which finding?

The nurse applies pressure over an area of the lower abdomen where the client reports pain. The client denies pain upon palpation, but reports pain when the pressure is released. Which action should the nurse implement?