Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is pregnant.
Nurses' Notes 1000:
The client reports repeated episodes of vomiting and two episodes of diarrhea in past 24 hr. Client is at 18 weeks of gestation and reports a history of nausea and vomiting for the past 12 weeks.
1015:
IV fluids initiated. Prochlorperazine administered via intermittent IV bolus.
1100:
Client reports improvement in nausea. Ice chips provided. Client voided 50 mL of dark yellow urine.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to the client.
For each discharge instruction, specify if each action is recommended or contraindicated for the client.
A. Alternate eating solid foods and liquids
Alternate eating solid foods and liquids is recommended. This can help prevent dehydration and malnutrition, as well as reduce the risk of vomiting by avoiding overfilling the stomach.
B. Eat every 2 to 3 hr
Eat every 2 to 3 hr is recommended. This can help maintain blood glucose levels and prevent hunger-induced nausea.
C. Drink warm ginger ale when nauseated
Drink warm ginger ale when nauseated is recommended. Ginger has antiemetic properties and can help soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
D. Increase intake of high-fat foods
Increase intake of high-fat foods is contraindicated. High-fat foods can delay gastric emptying and worsen nausea and vomiting. The client should eat low-fat, bland, and easy-todigest foods instead.
E. Recommended actions
Recommended actions is correct. The nurse should indicate which actions are recommended for the client.
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Full Explanation
Correct answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale:
- A: Alternate eating solid foods and liquids is recommended. This can help prevent dehydration and malnutrition, as well as reduce the risk of vomiting by avoiding overfilling the stomach.
- B: Eat every 2 to 3 hr is recommended. This can help maintain blood glucose levels and prevent hunger-induced nausea.
- C: Drink warm ginger ale when nauseated is recommended. Ginger has antiemetic properties and can help soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
- E: Recommended actions is correct. The nurse should indicate which actions are recommended for the client.
- D: Increase intake of high-fat foods is contraindicated. High-fat foods can delay gastric emptying and worsen nausea and vomiting. The client should eat low-fat, bland, and easy-todigest foods instead.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing the ABG values of a client. The client has a pH of 7.2, PaCO2 of 60 mm Hg, and HCO3 of 25 mEq/L. The nurse should identify that the client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
The client does not have respiratory alkalosis because respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a low PaCO2 (less than 35 mm Hg) and a high pH (greater than 7.45).
B. Metabolic alkalosis
The client does not have metabolic alkalosis because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high HCO3 (greater than 26 mEq/L) and a high pH (greater than 7.45).
C. Respiratory acidosis
The client has respiratory acidosis because respiratory acidosis is characterized by a high PaCO2 (greater than 45 mm Hg) and a low pH (less than 7.35).
D. Metabolic acidosis
The client does not have metabolic acidosis because metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low HCO3 (less than 22 mEq/L) and a low pH (less than 7.35).
Full Explanation
- A. Incorrect. The client does not have respiratory alkalosis because respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a low PaCO2 (less than 35 mm Hg) and a high pH (greater than 7.45).
- B. Incorrect. The client does not have metabolic alkalosis because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high HCO3 (greater than 26 mEq/L) and a high pH (greater than 7.45).
- C. Correct. The client has respiratory acidosis because respiratory acidosis is characterized by a high PaCO2 (greater than 45 mm Hg) and a low pH (less than 7.35).
- D. Incorrect. The client does not have metabolic acidosis because metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low HCO3 (less than 22 mEq/L) and a low pH (less than 7.35).
A nurse is caring for a client who has bulimia nervosa.
Select words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence.
The client is at risk for developing and
Full Explanation
A nurse is caring for an adolescent.
Admission Assessment 1400:
Adolescent brought to emergency department by parents following a fall while skateboarding. Adolescent reports pain in . their right leg as 10 on a scale of 0 to 10 and is unable to bear weight.
Adolescent is awake, alert, and oriented x 3. Lungs clear, respirations even and regular. S1 and S2 with regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen soft and nontender with active bowel sounds in all four quadrants. Right lower extremity with open wound and displaced bone. Right lower extremity pulse +1, extremity cool to touch, edema present, capillary refill 4 seconds.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take after the adolescent returns from surgery?
Select all that apply.
A. Remove indwelling urinary catheter when no longer indicated
Removing an indwelling urinary catheter when it is no longer indicated is a standard postoperative care practice. It helps to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are common complications associated with prolonged catheter use. The normal practice is to remove the catheter as soon as the patient can use the bathroom independently or when medically advised.
B. Elevate affected limb at chest level
Elevating the affected limb at chest level can help reduce swelling and improve venous return. This is particularly important after surgery involving the lower extremities to prevent edema and promote circulation. Proper elevation assists in managing pain and preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
C. Assist the adolescent with ambulation from bed to chair
Assisting with ambulation from bed to chair immediately after surgery may not be appropriate, especially if the adolescent has had surgery on the lower extremity. It is essential to wait for the physician's evaluation and specific instructions regarding weight-bearing and movement post-surgery.
D. Perform neurovascular assessments every hour
Performing neurovascular assessments every hour is crucial after surgery on an extremity. This involves checking for sensation, motor function, color, temperature, capillary refill, and pulse strength. The normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds; a refill time of 4 seconds, as noted in the assessment, is abnormal and warrants close monitoring. Frequent assessments help in early detection of complications such as compartment syndrome.
E. Apply warm packs to right extremity for the first 24hrs
Applying warm packs to the right extremity for the first 24 hours post-surgery is not recommended. Warm packs can increase circulation to the area, potentially increasing swelling and bleeding. Instead, cold packs are usually applied to reduce swelling and provide pain relief. The use of warm packs can be considered after the initial 24-hour period, depending on the surgeon's instructions and the wound's response.
Full Explanation
The correct answers are A, B, and D.
Choice A reason:
Removing an indwelling urinary catheter when it is no longer indicated is a standard postoperative care practice. It helps to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are common complications associated with prolonged catheter use. The normal practice is to remove the catheter as soon as the patient can use the bathroom independently or when medically advised.
Choice B reason:
Elevating the affected limb at chest level can help reduce swelling and improve venous return. This is particularly important after surgery involving the lower extremities to prevent edema and promote circulation. Proper elevation assists in managing pain and preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Choice C reason:
Assisting with ambulation from bed to chair immediately after surgery may not be appropriate, especially if the adolescent has had surgery on the lower extremity. It is essential to wait for the physician's evaluation and specific instructions regarding weight-bearing and movement post-surgery.
Choice D reason:
Performing neurovascular assessments every hour is crucial after surgery on an extremity. This involves checking for sensation, motor function, color, temperature, capillary refill, and pulse strength. The normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds; a refill time of 4 seconds, as noted in the assessment, is abnormal and warrants close monitoring. Frequent assessments help in early detection of complications such as compartment syndrome.
Choice E reason:
Applying warm packs to the right extremity for the first 24 hours post-surgery is not recommended. Warm packs can increase circulation to the area, potentially increasing swelling and bleeding. Instead, cold packs are usually applied to reduce swelling and provide pain relief. The use of warm packs can be considered after the initial 24-hour period, depending on the surgeon's instructions and the wound's response.