Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The client reports chills, headache, low-back pain, and a feeling of "tightness" in his chest.
The nurse should identify that the client has developed which of the following types of transfusion reactions?
A. Allergic.
Allergic transfusion reactions are characterized by symptoms such as hives, itching, and shortness of breath. While allergic reactions can cause discomfort, they do not typically present with the symptoms described in the scenario, such as chills, headache, low-back pain, and chest tightness.
B. Febrile nonhemolytic.
Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are characterized by fever and chills, but they do not usually cause headache, low-back pain, or chest tightness. These reactions occur due to antibodies against donor leukocytes or platelets.
C. Acute hemolytic.
Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions occur when there is a mismatch in blood type between the donor and recipient, leading to rapid destruction of transfused red blood cells. This reaction can cause symptoms such as chills, fever, low-back pain, chest tightness, and hemoglobinuria (presence of hemoglobin in the urine) It is a medical emergency that requires immediate cessation of the transfusion, supportive care, and treatment for potential complications such as acute kidney injury.
D. Bacterial.
Bacterial transfusion reactions occur due to bacterial contamination of the blood product. These reactions can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, hypotension, and shock. While bacterial transfusion reactions can be serious, the symptoms described in the scenario, including headache and low-back pain, are not typically associated with this type of reaction.
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Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Allergic transfusion reactions are characterized by symptoms such as hives, itching, and shortness of breath. While allergic reactions can cause discomfort, they do not typically present with the symptoms described in the scenario, such as chills, headache, low-back pain, and chest tightness.
Choice B rationale:
Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions are characterized by fever and chills, but they do not usually cause headache, low-back pain, or chest tightness. These reactions occur due to antibodies against donor leukocytes or platelets.
Choice C rationale:
Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions occur when there is a mismatch in blood type between the donor and recipient, leading to rapid destruction of transfused red blood cells. This reaction can cause symptoms such as chills, fever, low-back pain, chest tightness, and hemoglobinuria (presence of hemoglobin in the urine) It is a medical emergency that requires immediate cessation of the transfusion, supportive care, and treatment for potential complications such as acute kidney injury.
Choice D rationale:
Bacterial transfusion reactions occur due to bacterial contamination of the blood product. These reactions can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, hypotension, and shock. While bacterial transfusion reactions can be serious, the symptoms described in the scenario, including headache and low-back pain, are not typically associated with this type of reaction.
Similar Questions
A nurse is teaching the parents of a school-age child who has sickle cell anemia about managing the disease at home.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Report sudden, persistent headaches.
The nurse should instruct the parents to report sudden, persistent headaches in a child with sickle cell anemia because it could be a sign of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) Sickle cell anemia predisposes individuals to vaso-occlusive crises, which can lead to stroke due to impaired blood flow. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing complications.
B. Apply cold compresses to painful areas.
Applying cold compresses to painful areas may help in managing pain during vaso-occlusive crises, but it is not as critical as identifying signs of more severe complications such as stroke. This instruction does not address the urgency of reporting sudden, persistent headaches.
C. Restrict fluid intake during times of stress.
Restricting fluid intake during times of stress is not appropriate for a child with sickle cell anemia. In fact, maintaining adequate hydration is important to prevent vaso-occlusive crises. Dehydration can exacerbate sickling of red blood cells, leading to more pain and complications.
D. Avoid meningococcal immunizations.
Avoiding meningococcal immunizations is not appropriate for a child with sickle cell anemia. In fact, children with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of infections, including meningitis. Immunizations, including those for meningococcus, are essential to prevent life-threatening infections in these individuals.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should instruct the parents to report sudden, persistent headaches in a child with sickle cell anemia because it could be a sign of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) Sickle cell anemia predisposes individuals to vaso-occlusive crises, which can lead to stroke due to impaired blood flow. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing complications.
Choice B rationale:
Applying cold compresses to painful areas may help in managing pain during vaso-occlusive crises, but it is not as critical as identifying signs of more severe complications such as stroke. This instruction does not address the urgency of reporting sudden, persistent headaches.
Choice C rationale:
Restricting fluid intake during times of stress is not appropriate for a child with sickle cell anemia. In fact, maintaining adequate hydration is important to prevent vaso-occlusive crises. Dehydration can exacerbate sickling of red blood cells, leading to more pain and complications.
Choice D rationale:
Avoiding meningococcal immunizations is not appropriate for a child with sickle cell anemia. In fact, children with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of infections, including meningitis. Immunizations, including those for meningococcus, are essential to prevent life-threatening infections in these individuals.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition.
Which of the following results should the nurse identify as an indication that the client has developed a common complication of this nutritional therapy?
A. Capillary glucose 198 mg/dL.
A capillary glucose level of 198 mg/dL in a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) suggests hyperglycemia, which is a common complication of TPN. TPN solutions are high in glucose, and clients receiving TPN are at risk of developing hyperglycemia. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary to detect and manage hyperglycemia promptly.
B. Serum albumin 3.9 g/dL.
Serum albumin level of 3.9 g/dL is within the normal range (3.5-5.5 g/dL) and does not indicate a complication of TPN. Low serum albumin levels could suggest malnutrition or liver disease, but in this case, the level is normal.
C. Hgb 15.6 g/dL.
Hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 15.6 g/dL is within the normal range for both men and women, indicating an adequate oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This result does not suggest a complication related to TPN.
D. WBC 7,000/mm.
White blood cell (WBC) count of 7,000/mm³ is within the normal range (4,500-11,000/mm³) and does not indicate a complication of TPN. Elevated WBC count could suggest an infection, but in this case, the count is normal.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A capillary glucose level of 198 mg/dL in a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) suggests hyperglycemia, which is a common complication of TPN. TPN solutions are high in glucose, and clients receiving TPN are at risk of developing hyperglycemia. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary to detect and manage hyperglycemia promptly.
Choice B rationale:
Serum albumin level of 3.9 g/dL is within the normal range (3.5-5.5 g/dL) and does not indicate a complication of TPN. Low serum albumin levels could suggest malnutrition or liver disease, but in this case, the level is normal.
Choice C rationale:
Hemoglobin (Hgb) level of 15.6 g/dL is within the normal range for both men and women, indicating an adequate oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This result does not suggest a complication related to TPN.
Choice D rationale:
White blood cell (WBC) count of 7,000/mm³ is within the normal range (4,500-11,000/mm³) and does not indicate a complication of TPN. Elevated WBC count could suggest an infection, but in this case, the count is normal.
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a history of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and requires placement of an indwelling urinary catheter.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help minimize the client's risk for acquiring a UTI?
A. Loop the tubing so that it is lower than the collection bag.
Looping the tubing so that it is lower than the collection bag creates a dependent loop where urine can pool, increasing the risk of UTI. This practice should be avoided as it can lead to bacterial contamination and subsequent infections.
B. Keep the urinary bag at bladder level when ambulating.
Keeping the urinary bag at bladder level when ambulating helps maintain a continuous flow of urine into the collection bag without creating dependent loops. This practice minimizes the risk of bacterial contamination and reduces the chances of acquiring a UTI.
C. Obtain urinary samples by disconnecting the tubing connections.
Obtaining urinary samples by disconnecting the tubing connections is not recommended. This procedure can introduce bacteria into the urinary system, increasing the risk of UTI. Sterile techniques, such as using a catheter port for sampling, should be followed to minimize the risk of infection.
D. Secure the catheter to the client's thigh.
Securing the catheter to the client's thigh is essential to prevent tension and pulling on the catheter, which can cause trauma to the urethra. However, securing the catheter alone does not minimize the risk of UTI. Proper hygiene, closed drainage system, and maintaining a continuous flow of urine into the collection bag are key factors in preventing UTIs in clients with indwelling urinary catheters.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Looping the tubing so that it is lower than the collection bag creates a dependent loop where urine can pool, increasing the risk of UTI. This practice should be avoided as it can lead to bacterial contamination and subsequent infections.
Choice B rationale:
Keeping the urinary bag at bladder level when ambulating helps maintain a continuous flow of urine into the collection bag without creating dependent loops. This practice minimizes the risk of bacterial contamination and reduces the chances of acquiring a UTI.
Choice C rationale:
Obtaining urinary samples by disconnecting the tubing connections is not recommended. This procedure can introduce bacteria into the urinary system, increasing the risk of UTI. Sterile techniques, such as using a catheter port for sampling, should be followed to minimize the risk of infection.
Choice D rationale:
Securing the catheter to the client's thigh is essential to prevent tension and pulling on the catheter, which can cause trauma to the urethra. However, securing the catheter alone does not minimize the risk of UTI. Proper hygiene, closed drainage system, and maintaining a continuous flow of urine into the collection bag are key factors in preventing UTIs in clients with indwelling urinary catheters.