Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with nausea, vomiting, and a possible bowel obstruction. An NG tube is placed and set to low intermittent suction. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. The amount of drainage is gradually decreasing.
B. The client's abdomen becomes distended and firm.
Abdominal distension and firmness indicate increased intra-abdominal pressure, which can compromise blood flow to the bowel and cause ischemia, necrosis, or perforation. The nurse should report this finding to the provider and assess for signs of shock or peritonitis.
C. The client reports being extremely thirsty with a sore throat.
D. The drainage is bright green in color with brown fecal material.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN adult medical surgical 2019 with NGN - Proctored Exam 3. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Abdominal distension and firmness indicate increased intra-abdominal pressure, which can compromise blood flow to the bowel and cause ischemia, necrosis, or perforation.
The nurse should report this finding to the provider and assess for signs of shock or peritonitis.
Similar Questions
A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a bedridden client. Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to a potential complication of the client's immobility?
A. Confusion
Confusion can be a sign of delirium, which is a common complication of immobility in older adults due to sensory deprivation, sleep disturbance, medication side effects, or dehydration. The nurse should assess for other causes of confusion, such as infection or hypoxia, and implement interventions to prevent or treat delirium.
B. Blurred vision
C. Diarrhea
D. Polyuria
Full Explanation
Confusion can be a sign of delirium, which is a common complication of immobility in older adults due to sensory deprivation, sleep disturbance, medication side effects, or dehydration. The nurse should assess for other causes of confusion, such as infection or hypoxia, and implement interventions to prevent or treat delirium.
A nurse on an oncology unit is caring for a client who is receiving internal radiation therapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Allow visitors to hold the client's hand.
B. Leave the door to the client's room open.
C. Place the dosimeter film badge on the client's door.
D. Wear a lead apron when providing client care.
Wear a lead apron when providing client care. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) is a type of treatment that uses a radioactive source placed inside or near the tumor . The nurse should wear a lead apron to protect themselves from exposure to radiation when caring for the client. The other actions are not appropriate for a client receiving internal radiation therapy.
Full Explanation
Wear a lead apron when providing client care. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) is a type of treatment that uses a radioactive source placed inside or near the tumor . The nurse should wear a lead apron to protect themselves from exposure to radiation when caring for the client. The other actions are not appropriate for a client receiving internal radiation therapy.
A nurse is preparing to administer daily medications to a client who is undergoing a procedure at 1000 that requires IV contrast dye. Which of the following routine medications to give at 0800 should the nurse withhold?
A. Fluticasone
B. Valproic acid
C. Metformin
Metformin is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It should be withheld before and after a procedure that requires IV contrast dye because it can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a serious condition caused by the buildup of lactic acid in the blood. The other medications are not contraindicated with IV contrast dye and can be given as scheduled.
D. Metoprolol
Full Explanation
Metformin is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It should be withheld before and after a procedure that requires IV contrast dye because it can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a serious condition caused by the buildup of lactic acid in the blood. The other medications are not contraindicated with IV contrast dye and can be given as scheduled.