Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A client with long-standing obesity has been prescribed phentermine/topiramate-ER for treatment. What statement by the client suggests that further health education is necessary?
A. I'm going to have to do some rearranging of my finances to make sure I can afford this medication.
This statement does not suggest that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a realistic concern about the cost of the medication, which may be expensive or not covered by insurance. The nurse should acknowledge the client's financial situation and provide information about possible assistance programs or alternative options.
B. I'm a bit nervous to start this medication because I know I'll need blood tests sometimes.
This statement does not suggest that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a reasonable anxiety about the medication, which may have side effects or interactions that require monitoring. The nurse should reassure the client and explain the purpose and frequency of the blood tests, as well as the potential benefits and risks of the medication.
C. It's hard to believe that there are actually medications that can treat obesity.
This statement does not suggest that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a sense of wonder or skepticism about the medication, which may be uncommon or novel for the treatment of obesity. The nurse should educate the client about how the medication works and what to expect from the treatment, as well as the evidence and research behind it.
D. I'm so relieved to start this medication. I really don't like having to exercise or change what I eat.
This statement suggests that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a false or unrealistic expectation about the medication, which is not a magic pill or a substitute for lifestyle changes. The nurse should correct the client and emphasize the importance of following a healthy diet and exercise regimen, as well as the goals and limitations of the medication.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Med Surg Nursing 102 Proctored Exam 4. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement does not suggest that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a realistic concern about the cost of the medication, which may be expensive or not covered by insurance. The nurse should acknowledge the client's financial situation and provide information about possible assistance programs or alternative options.
Choice B reason: This statement does not suggest that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a reasonable anxiety about the medication, which may have side effects or interactions that require monitoring. The nurse should reassure the client and explain the purpose and frequency of the blood tests, as well as the potential benefits and risks of the medication.
Choice C reason: This statement does not suggest that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a sense of wonder or skepticism about the medication, which may be uncommon or novel for the treatment of obesity. The nurse should educate the client about how the medication works and what to expect from the treatment, as well as the evidence and research behind it.
Choice D reason: This statement suggests that further health education is necessary. The client is expressing a false or unrealistic expectation about the medication, which is not a magic pill or a substitute for lifestyle changes. The nurse should correct the client and emphasize the importance of following a healthy diet and exercise regimen, as well as the goals and limitations of the medication.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an open cholecystectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when caring for the client's Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain?
A. Secure the drain to the client's bed sheet
Securing the drain to the client's bed sheet is not the best action for the nurse to take. This could cause the drain to be pulled or dislodged if the client moves or changes position. The nurse should secure the drain to the client's gown or abdominal binder, using a safety pin or a clip.
B. Remove the JP drain when the drainage has ceased, covering the opening with sterile gauze
Removing the JP drain when the drainage has ceased, covering the opening with sterile gauze, is not the correct action for the nurse to take. The nurse should not remove the drain without a physician's order, as this could cause complications such as infection, bleeding, or bile leakage. The nurse should monitor the amount and color of the drainage, and report any changes to the physician.
C. Expel the air from the JP bulb after emptying to re-establish suction
Expelling the air from the JP bulb after emptying to re-establish suction is the correct action for the nurse to take. The JP drain works by creating a negative pressure that draws fluid from the surgical site. The nurse should empty the bulb when it is half full, and squeeze it until it collapses before closing the plug. This ensures that the suction is maintained and prevents the fluid from flowing back into the drain.
D. Measure the drainage every hour for the first 8 hr postoperative
Measuring the drainage every hour for the first 8 hr postoperative is not the correct action for the nurse to take. This is too frequent and unnecessary, as the drainage is expected to decrease over time. The nurse should measure the drainage every 8 to 12 hr, or as ordered by the physician, and record the volume and color. The nurse should also report any signs of infection, such as fever, pain, or foul odor.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Securing the drain to the client's bed sheet is not the best action for the nurse to take. This could cause the drain to be pulled or dislodged if the client moves or changes position. The nurse should secure the drain to the client's gown or abdominal binder, using a safety pin or a clip.
Choice B reason: Removing the JP drain when the drainage has ceased, covering the opening with sterile gauze, is not the correct action for the nurse to take. The nurse should not remove the drain without a physician's order, as this could cause complications such as infection, bleeding, or bile leakage. The nurse should monitor the amount and color of the drainage, and report any changes to the physician.
Choice C reason: Expelling the air from the JP bulb after emptying to re-establish suction is the correct action for the nurse to take. The JP drain works by creating a negative pressure that draws fluid from the surgical site. The nurse should empty the bulb when it is half full, and squeeze it until it collapses before closing the plug. This ensures that the suction is maintained and prevents the fluid from flowing back into the drain.
Choice D reason: Measuring the drainage every hour for the first 8 hr postoperative is not the correct action for the nurse to take. This is too frequent and unnecessary, as the drainage is expected to decrease over time. The nurse should measure the drainage every 8 to 12 hr, or as ordered by the physician, and record the volume and color. The nurse should also report any signs of infection, such as fever, pain, or foul odor.
A client has been brought to the emergency department with abdominal pain and is subsequently diagnosed with appendicitis. The client is scheduled for an appendectomy but questions the nurse about how his health will be affected by the absence of an appendix. How should the nurse best respond?
A. The surgeon will encourage you to limit your fat intake for a few weeks after the surgery, but your body will then begin to compensate.
This statement is not the best response for the nurse to give. The surgeon will not encourage the client to limit their fat intake after an appendectomy, as this has nothing to do with the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine, not the small intestine where most of the fat digestion and absorption occurs.
B. Your appendix doesn't play a major role so you won't notice any difference after your recovery from surgery.
This statement is not the best response for the nurse to give. The appendix does play a role in the immune system and the gut microbiome, as it contains lymphoid tissue and beneficial bacteria. The client may notice some changes in their immunity or digestion after an appendectomy, especially if they have an infection or take antibiotics.
C. Your body will absorb slightly fewer nutrients from the food you eat, but you won't be aware of this.
This statement is not the best response for the nurse to give. The appendix does not affect the absorption of nutrients from the food the client eats, as it is not involved in the digestive process. The appendix is located at the end of the small intestine, where most of the nutrients have already been absorbed.
D. Your small intestine will adapt over time to the absence of your appendix.
This statement is the best response for the nurse to give. The appendix is not essential for survival, and the small intestine can adapt to its removal over time. The client may experience some temporary symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, or gas after an appendectomy, but these usually resolve within a few weeks. The nurse should reassure the client that they can live a normal and healthy life without an appendix.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is not the best response for the nurse to give. The surgeon will not encourage the client to limit their fat intake after an appendectomy, as this has nothing to do with the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the beginning of the large intestine, not the small intestine where most of the fat digestion and absorption occurs.
Choice B reason: This statement is not the best response for the nurse to give. The appendix does play a role in the immune system and the gut microbiome, as it contains lymphoid tissue and beneficial bacteria. The client may notice some changes in their immunity or digestion after an appendectomy, especially if they have an infection or take antibiotics.
Choice C reason: This statement is not the best response for the nurse to give. The appendix does not affect the absorption of nutrients from the food the client eats, as it is not involved in the digestive process. The appendix is located at the end of the small intestine, where most of the nutrients have already been absorbed.
Choice D reason: This statement is the best response for the nurse to give. The appendix is not essential for survival, and the small intestine can adapt to its removal over time. The client may experience some temporary symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, or gas after an appendectomy, but these usually resolve within a few weeks. The nurse should reassure the client that they can live a normal and healthy life without an appendix.
A nurse is assessing four clients for fluid balance. The nurse should identify that which of the following manifestations of dehydration?
A. A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010. (Reference Range 1.005-1.030)
A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010 is not dehydrated. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. A normal range is 1.005-1.030, which means that the urine is neither too dilute nor too concentrated. A high urine specific gravity (>1.030) indicates dehydration, as the urine becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. A low urine specific gravity (<1.005) indicates overhydration, as the urine becomes more dilute due to fluid excess.
B. A client who has a hematocrit of 42%. (Reference Range 36-46%)
A client who has a hematocrit of 42% is not dehydrated. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A normal range is 36-46% for women and 40-54% for men. A high hematocrit (>54% for men and >46% for women) indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more viscous due to fluid loss. A low hematocrit (<40% for men and <36% for women) indicates overhydration, as the blood becomes more diluted due to fluid excess.
C. A client who has a temperature of 39 °C.
A client who has a temperature of 39 °C may or may not be dehydrated. Temperature is a measure of the body's heat production and regulation. A normal range is 36.5-37.5 °C. A high temperature (>37.5 °C) indicates fever, which can be caused by various factors, such as infection, inflammation, or medication. Fever can also cause dehydration, as the body loses fluid through sweating and increased respiration. However, fever is not a specific sign of dehydration, as there may be other causes or contributing factors.
D. A client who has a weight loss of 2.2 kg in 24 hr.
A client who has a weight loss of 2.2 kg in 24 hr is dehydrated. Weight loss is a measure of the change in the body's mass over time. A normal range is 0.5-1 kg per week. A rapid weight loss (>1 kg per day) indicates dehydration, as the body loses fluid through various routes, such as urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Weight loss is a sensitive and reliable sign of dehydration, as it reflects the amount of fluid loss.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010 is not dehydrated. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. A normal range is 1.005-1.030, which means that the urine is neither too dilute nor too concentrated. A high urine specific gravity (>1.030) indicates dehydration, as the urine becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. A low urine specific gravity (<1.005) indicates overhydration, as the urine becomes more dilute due to fluid excess.
Choice B reason: A client who has a hematocrit of 42% is not dehydrated. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A normal range is 36-46% for women and 40-54% for men. A high hematocrit (>54% for men and >46% for women) indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more viscous due to fluid loss. A low hematocrit (<40% for men and <36% for women) indicates overhydration, as the blood becomes more diluted due to fluid excess.
Choice C reason: A client who has a temperature of 39 °C may or may not be dehydrated. Temperature is a measure of the body's heat production and regulation. A normal range is 36.5-37.5 °C. A high temperature (>37.5 °C) indicates fever, which can be caused by various factors, such as infection, inflammation, or medication. Fever can also cause dehydration, as the body loses fluid through sweating and increased respiration. However, fever is not a specific sign of dehydration, as there may be other causes or contributing factors.
Choice D reason: A client who has a weight loss of 2.2 kg in 24 hr is dehydrated. Weight loss is a measure of the change in the body's mass over time. A normal range is 0.5-1 kg per week. A rapid weight loss (>1 kg per day) indicates dehydration, as the body loses fluid through various routes, such as urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Weight loss is a sensitive and reliable sign of dehydration, as it reflects the amount of fluid loss.