Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
An older client comes to the clinic with a family member. When the nurse attempts to take the client's health history, the client does not respond to questions in a clear manner. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A. Provide a printed health care assessment form.
B. Defer the health history until the client is less anxious.
C. Ask the family member to answer the questions.
Asking the family member to answer the questions should be considered if the client is unable to provide accurate information or is cognitively impaired. However, it is important to first address any environmental factors and attempt to engage the client directly in the assessment process.
D. Assess the surroundings for noise and distractions.
The ability to effectively communicate and provide accurate information can be impacted by external factors such as noise, distractions, or an unfamiliar environment. By assessing the surroundings, the nurse can identify and address any potential barriers to communication. Once the nurse has addressed any environmental factors that may be hindering communication, they can proceed with other strategies to facilitate the health history assessment. This may include providing a printed healthcare assessment form to assist the client in organizing their thoughts or deferring the assessment until the client is less anxious.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The ability to effectively communicate and provide accurate information can be impacted by external factors such as noise, distractions, or an unfamiliar environment. By assessing the surroundings, the nurse can identify and address any potential barriers to communication.
Once the nurse has addressed any environmental factors that may be hindering communication, they can proceed with other strategies to facilitate the health history assessment. This may include providing a printed healthcare assessment form to assist the client in organizing their thoughts or deferring the assessment until the client is less anxious.
Asking the family member to answer the questions should be considered if the client is unable to provide accurate information or is cognitively impaired. However, it is important to first address any environmental factors and attempt to engage the client directly in the assessment process.
Similar Questions
The nurse notices that a male client is particularly delusional one afternoon. He begins to pace the floor and appears to be losing control of himself. Which intervention is best for the nurse to implement?
A. Use firmness and direct the client to sit for awhile.
Using firmness and directing the client to sit for a while may escalate the situation and increase the client's distress. It is important to approach the client with empathy and provide a supportive environment rather than exerting control through firmness.
B. Suggest to the client that he take a walk.
Suggesting the client take a walk or encouraging the client to use a punching bag may not be appropriate if the client is already displaying signs of agitation and losing control. These interventions may not address the underlying causes of the delusions and could potentially worsen the situation.
C. Move the client to a quiet place on the unit.
Delusions and loss of control can be distressing for the client and potentially disruptive to the unit environment. Moving the client to a quiet place helps create a calm and less stimulating environment, which can help reduce agitation and promote a sense of safety and security.
D. Encourage the client to use the punching bag
Suggesting the client take a walk or encouraging the client to use a punching bag may not be appropriate if the client is already displaying signs of agitation and losing control. These interventions may not address the underlying causes of the delusions and could potentially worsen the situation.
Full Explanation
Delusions and loss of control can be distressing for the client and potentially disruptive to the unit environment. Moving the client to a quiet place helps create a calm and less stimulating environment, which can help reduce agitation and promote a sense of safety and security.
Using firmness and directing the client to sit for a while may escalate the situation and increase the client's distress. It is important to approach the client with empathy and provide a supportive environment rather than exerting control through firmness.
Suggesting the client take a walk or encouraging the client to use a punching bag may not be appropriate if the client is already displaying signs of agitation and losing control. These interventions may not address the underlying causes of the delusions and could potentially worsen the situation.
The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with emphysema. The nurse should prioritize which potential complication?
A. Self-care deficit.
B. Activity intolerance.
C. Impaired gas exchange.
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by the destruction of lung tissue and loss of elasticity in the alveoli. This leads to poor gas exchange, specifically the reduced ability of oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be eliminated from the body. Impaired gas exchange can result in hypoxemia and hypercapnia, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and decreased exercise tolerance. While self-care deficit, activity intolerance, and ineffective airway clearance are all potential complications associated with emphysema, impaired gas exchange is the priority due to its direct impact on the client's oxygenation and overall respiratory function. Addressing impaired gas exchange and optimizing oxygenation is essential to support the client's respiratory health and prevent further complications. Management strategies for impaired gas exchange may include administering supplemental oxygen, implementing respiratory treatments to improve lung function, and providing education on breathing techniques and energy conservation.
D. Ineffective airway clearance.
Full Explanation
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by the destruction of lung tissue and loss of elasticity in the alveoli. This leads to poor gas exchange, specifically the reduced ability of oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be eliminated from the body. Impaired gas exchange can result in hypoxemia and hypercapnia, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and decreased exercise tolerance.
While self-care deficit, activity intolerance, and ineffective airway clearance are all potential complications associated with emphysema, impaired gas exchange is the priority due to its direct impact on the client's oxygenation and overall respiratory function.
Addressing impaired gas exchange and optimizing oxygenation is essential to support the client's respiratory health and prevent further complications. Management strategies for impaired gas exchange may include administering supplemental oxygen, implementing respiratory treatments to improve lung function, and providing education on breathing techniques and energy conservation.
An adult client is admitted for severe pain in his side and back and is sent for an intravenous pyelogram. Which report from the client is the earliest indication to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse reaction to this procedure?
A. Tingling on tongue or lips.
Tingling on the tongue or lips is an early sign of an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used during an intravenous pyelogram. This type of reaction can quickly progress to more severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis, so it is crucial to recognize and respond to it promptly.
B. Episodes of shivering.
Episodes of shivering: Shivering is not typically an early sign of an allergic reaction to contrast dye. It might indicate a reaction to temperature or anxiety but is not as immediately concerning as symptoms of an allergic reaction.
C. Salty taste in the mouth.
Salty taste in the mouth: A salty or metallic taste is a common and benign side effect of the contrast dye and is not indicative of an adverse reaction.
D. Difficulty breathing.
Difficulty breathing: Difficulty breathing is a severe and later sign of an allergic reaction. By the time this symptom appears, the reaction has progressed and immediate intervention is necessary.
Full Explanation
A. Tingling on the tongue or lips is an early sign of an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used during an intravenous pyelogram. This type of reaction can quickly progress to more severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis, so it is crucial to recognize and respond to it promptly.
B. Episodes of shivering: Shivering is not typically an early sign of an allergic reaction to contrast dye. It might indicate a reaction to temperature or anxiety but is not as immediately concerning as symptoms of an allergic reaction.
C. Salty taste in the mouth: A salty or metallic taste is a common and benign side effect of the contrast dye and is not indicative of an adverse reaction.
D. Difficulty breathing: Difficulty breathing is a severe and later sign of an allergic reaction. By the time this symptom appears, the reaction has progressed and immediate intervention is necessary.