Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion. The nurse notes that the skin around the catheter's insertion site is edematous and cool. Which of the followingactions should the nurse take first?
A. Document the infiltration.
B. Stop the infusion.
The nurse should stop the infusion immediately to prevent further fluid accumulation and tissue damage. This is a priority action accordingto the ABCDE principle, which guides nurses to prioritize airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure issues. Infiltration is a complication of IV therapy that occurs when fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue due to dislodgment or puncture of the catheter. The signs and symptoms of infiltration include edema, coolness, pallor, pain, and decreased flow rate at the insertion site.
C. Elevate the arm.
D. Apply a warm compress.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is B.
Stop the infusion. The nurse should stop the infusion immediately to prevent further fluid accumulation and tissue damage. This is a priority action according to the ABCDE principle, which guides nurses to prioritize airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure issues. Infiltration is a complication of IV therapy that occurs when fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue due to dislodgment or puncture of the catheter. The signs and symptoms of infiltration include edema, coolness, pallor, pain, and decreased flow rate at the insertion site.
Similar Questions
A nurse is assisting in the care of a newly admitted client.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report immediately to the provider?
Select all that apply.
A. Blood pressure
The blood pressure dropped from 126/78 mm Hg on Day 1 to 80/60 mm Hg on Day 2. This change could signify worsening clinical status, potentially indicating shock or significant fluid loss.
B. Mental confusion
The client's confusion and slow response can indicate a change in neurological status, possibly related to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, or infection. This is a significant finding that requires immediate attention.
C. Cold, clammy skin
The client's skin changed from warm and dry to pale, cool, and clammy, suggesting possible shock or hypoperfusion. This is a critical sign that needs to be communicated to the provider.
D. Sodium level
The sodium level remains within normal limits (144 mEq/L) and does not show significant changes. Therefore, it does not require immediate reporting.
E. Pain
While the pain level increased from 3/10 to 6/10, pain itself is subjective and should be monitored closely. It may require adjustment in pain management but is not immediately life-threatening compared to other findings.
F. Heart Rate
The heart rate increased from 90/min on Day 1 to 110/min on Day 2, indicating tachycardia. This can signify an underlying issue, such as hypovolemia or sepsis, especially given the other concerning findings.
G. Serum amylase level
The serum amylase level is significantly elevated on both days, with a sharp increase from 498 units/L to 1,058 units/L. This finding indicates potential pancreatitis or pancreatic injury, which can lead to serious complications. Given the clinical picture of worsening abdominal pain and elevated lipase (which also increased to 1,283 units/L), it is crucial to report this finding to the provider immediately.
H. Respiratory status
The respiratory rate increased from 18/min to 22/min, indicating mild respiratory distress. While concerning, it does not represent an acute emergency compared to other findings and should be monitored.
I. Urine output
The urine output decreased significantly from 400 mL over 8 hours to 100 mL over 6 hours, indicating possible acute kidney injury or dehydration.
J. Temperature
The client’s temperature has increased from 37.2°C (99°F) to 38.4°C (101.1°F), indicating a possible infection or inflammatory response.
Full Explanation
A. The blood pressure dropped from 126/78 mm Hg on Day 1 to 80/60 mm Hg on Day 2. This change could signify worsening clinical status, potentially indicating shock or significant fluid loss.
B. The client's confusion and slow response can indicate a change in neurological status, possibly related to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, or infection. This is a significant finding that requires immediate attention.
C. The client's skin changed from warm and dry to pale, cool, and clammy, suggesting possible shock or hypoperfusion. This is a critical sign that needs to be communicated to the provider.
D. The sodium level remains within normal limits (144 mEq/L) and does not show significant changes. Therefore, it does not require immediate reporting.
E. While the pain level increased from 3/10 to 6/10, pain itself is subjective and should be monitored closely. It may require adjustment in pain management but is not immediately life-threatening compared to other findings.
F. The heart rate increased from 90/min on Day 1 to 110/min on Day 2, indicating tachycardia. This can signify an underlying issue, such as hypovolemia or sepsis, especially given the other concerning findings.
G. The serum amylase level is significantly elevated on both days, with a sharp increase from 498 units/L to 1,058 units/L. This finding indicates potential pancreatitis or pancreatic injury, which can lead to serious complications. Given the clinical picture of worsening abdominal pain and elevated lipase (which also increased to 1,283 units/L), it is crucial to report this finding to the provider immediately.
H. The respiratory rate increased from 18/min to 22/min, indicating mild respiratory distress. While concerning, it does not represent an acute emergency compared to other findings and should be monitored.
I. The urine output decreased significantly from 400 mL over 8 hours to 100 mL over 6 hours, indicating possible acute kidney injury or dehydration.
J. The client’s temperature has increased from 37.2°C (99°F) to 38.4°C (101.1°F), indicating a possible infection or inflammatory response.
These findings indicate that the client may have severe acute pancreatitis, which can lead to systemic complications such as hypovolemia, shock, hypocalcemia, respiratory failure, and multiorgan failure.
A nurse is preparing to give a change-of-shift report on a client who is 2 days postoperative following a total knee arthroscopy. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the report?
A. Steps required for dressing change
B. Admission vital signs
C. Preferred bath time
D. Time of last pain medication
Time of last pain medication. The nurse should include information that is relevant and essential for the continuity of care of the client, such as current assessment findings, interventions performed, response to treatment, and pending tests or procedures. The time of last pain medication is important to report because it affects the client's comfort level and mobility, and it helps the oncoming nurse plan when to administer the next dose of analgesia. The steps required for dressing change are not necessary to report because they are usually standardized and documented in the policy manual or the care plan. The admission vital signs are not relevant to report because they do not reflect the client's current status. The preferred bath time is not essential to report because it can be obtained from the client or the chart.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is D.
Time of last pain medication. The nurse should include information that is relevant and essential for the continuity of care of the client, such as current assessment findings, interventions performed, response to treatment, and pending tests or procedures. The time of last pain medication is important to report because it affects the client's comfort level and mobility, and it helps the oncoming nurse plan when to administer the next dose of analgesia.
The steps required for dressing change are not necessary to report because they are usually standardized and documented in the policy manual or the care plan. The admission vital signs are not relevant to report because they do not reflect the client's current status. The preferred bath time is not essential to report because it can be obtained from the client or the chart.
A nurse is assisting with a prenatal examination of a client who is at 8 weeks of gestation.The nurse notes that the client's vagina and vulva are a purplish color. The nurse should document this finding as which of the following?
A. Ballottement
B. Chloasma
C. Hegar's sign
D. Chadwick's sign
Chadwick's sign. Chadwick's sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva caused by increased blood flow to these areas during pregnancy. It usually appears around 6 to 8 weeks of gestation and persists until delivery. It is one of the presumptive signs of pregnancy, which are subjective changes that suggest pregnancy but are not conclusive. Ballottement is a technique of palpating the uterus to detect fetal movement when a finger is inserted into the vagina and tapped against the cervix. It can be performed between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation and is also a presumptive sign of pregnancy. Chloasma is a condition characterized by brown patches on the face that may occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It is also known as melasma or mask of pregnancy and usually fades after delivery. Hegar's sign is a softening of the lower uterine segment that can be felt during bimanual examination around 6 weeks of gestation. It is one of the probable signs of pregnancy, which are objective changes that strongly indicate pregnancy but are not diagnostic.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is D.
Chadwick's sign. Chadwick's sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix, vagina, and vulva caused by increased blood flow to these areas during pregnancy. It usually appears around 6 to 8 weeks of gestation and persists until delivery. It is one of the presumptive signs of pregnancy, which are subjective changes that suggest pregnancy but are not conclusive. Ballottement is a technique of palpating the uterus to detect fetal movement when a finger is inserted into the vagina and tapped against the cervix. It can be performed between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation and is also a presumptive sign of pregnancy.
Chloasma is a condition characterized by brown patches on the face that may occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It is also known as melasma or mask of pregnancy and usually fades after delivery. Hegar's sign is a softening of the lower uterine segment that can be felt during bimanual examination around 6 weeks of gestation. It is one of the probable signs of pregnancy, which are objective changes that strongly indicate pregnancy but are not diagnostic.