Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The home care nurse provided self-care instructions for a client with chronic venous insufficiency caused by deep vein thrombosis. Which instruction(s) should the nurse include in the client's discharge teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
A. Avoid prolonged standing or sitting.
Prolonged standing or sitting can worsen venous insufficiency and increase the risk of blood pooling in the legs. Encouraging the client to move around and avoid prolonged periods of immobility can help improve circulation.
B. Continue wearing compression stockings.
Compression stockings help improve blood flow by applying pressure to the legs, reducing swelling and preventing blood from pooling. The client should be instructed to continue wearing them as prescribed by their healthcare provider.
C. Cross legs at knee but not at ankle.
Crossing the legs can impede blood flow and should be avoided altogether.
D. Use recliner for long periods of sitting.
Sitting for extended periods can also contribute to blood pooling. Using a recliner allows the client to elevate their legs, promoting better circulation and reducing the risk of complications. The nurse should recommend using a recliner when sitting for long periods of time.
E. Maintain the bed flat while sleeping.
Elevating legs during sleep is generally advised to reduce venous pressure.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Prolonged standing or sitting can worsen venous insufficiency and increase the risk of blood pooling in the legs. Encouraging the client to move around and avoid prolonged periods of immobility can help improve circulation.
B. Compression stockings help improve blood flow by applying pressure to the legs, reducing swelling and preventing blood from pooling. The client should be instructed to continue wearing them as prescribed by their healthcare provider.
C.Crossing the legs can impede blood flow and should be avoided altogether.
D. Sitting for extended periods can also contribute to blood pooling. Using a recliner allows the client to elevate their legs, promoting better circulation and reducing the risk of complications. The nurse should recommend using a recliner when sitting for long periods of time.
E. Elevating legs during sleep is generally advised to reduce venous pressure.
Similar Questions
An older client with a history of heart failure and admitted to the medical unit after falling at home and has become increasingly confused. The client's spouse is designated as the client's power of attorney.
When reporting to the healthcare provider using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication, which information should the nurse provide first?
A. Currently prescribed medications.
B. Fall at home as reason for admission.
C. Client's healthcare power of attorney.
D. Increasing confusion of the client.
Situation: Increasing confusion of the client. The nurse should start by providing the current situation, which is the client's increasing confusion. This is crucial information as it indicates a change in the client's condition and may require immediate attention. Background: Fall at home as reason for admission. Next, the nurse should provide the background information, which includes the reason for admission, in this case, the fall at home. This helps the healthcare provider understand the context and potential contributing factors to the client's current condition. Assessment: Currently prescribed medications. After providing the background, the nurse should discuss the assessment findings. In this case, it would be appropriate to mention the client's currently prescribed medications. This information can help the healthcare provider assess for any medication-related issues or interactions that could be contributing to the client's confusion. Recommendation: Client's healthcare power of attorney. Lastly, the nurse should provide the recommendation, which in this case is the client's healthcare power of attorney. This information is important as it identifies the designated decision-maker for the client's healthcare decisions and can assist the healthcare provider in involving the appropriate person in the care planning process.
Full Explanation
Situation: Increasing confusion of the client.
The nurse should start by providing the current situation, which is the client's increasing confusion. This is crucial information as it indicates a change in the client's condition and may require immediate attention.
Background: Fall at home as reason for admission.
Next, the nurse should provide the background information, which includes the reason for admission, in this case, the fall at home. This helps the healthcare provider understand the context and potential contributing factors to the client's current condition. Assessment: Currently prescribed medications.
After providing the background, the nurse should discuss the assessment findings. In this case, it would be appropriate to mention the client's currently prescribed medications. This information can help the healthcare provider assess for any medication-related issues or interactions that could be contributing to the client's confusion.
Recommendation: Client's healthcare power of attorney.
Lastly, the nurse should provide the recommendation, which in this case is the client's healthcare power of attorney. This information is important as it identifies the designated decision-maker for the client's healthcare decisions and can assist the healthcare provider in involving the appropriate person in the care planning process.
A client with possible acute kidney injury (AKI) is admitted to the hospital and mannitol is prescribed as a fluid challenge. Prior to carrying out this prescription, what intervention should the nurse implement?
A. No specific nursing action is required.
B. Collect a clean catch urine specimen.
Collecting a clean catch urine specimen may be necessary for diagnostic purposes to assess kidney function and determine the presence or severity of acute kidney injury. However, obtaining vital signs and assessing breath sounds should be the first nursing intervention before administering any medication, including mannitol, to ensure the client's safety and monitor for any potential adverse effects.
C. Instruct the client to empty the bladder.
D. Obtain vital signs and breath sounds.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) can have significant impacts on the client's fluid and electrolyte balance. Mannitol, a diuretic, is commonly used to promote diuresis and increase urine output in cases of AKI. However, it is essential to assess the client's hemodynamic status and overall condition before administering mannitol. Obtaining vital signs (such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) helps evaluate the client's baseline status and monitor for any changes that may occur after administering mannitol. It is particularly important to assess blood pressure as mannitol can potentially cause hypotension as a side effect. Assessing breath sounds is also crucial because pulmonary edema can occur as a complication of AKI. Mannitol administration may exacerbate this condition. Therefore, assessing breath sounds allows the nurse to monitor for signs of fluid overload, such as crackles or wheezes.
Full Explanation
Acute kidney injury (AKI) can have significant impacts on the client's fluid and electrolyte balance. Mannitol, a diuretic, is commonly used to promote diuresis and increase urine
output in cases of AKI. However, it is essential to assess the client's hemodynamic status and overall condition before administering mannitol.
Obtaining vital signs (such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) helps evaluate the client's baseline status and monitor for any changes that may occur after administering mannitol. It is particularly important to assess blood pressure as mannitol can potentially cause hypotension as a side effect.
Assessing breath sounds is also crucial because pulmonary edema can occur as a complication of AKI. Mannitol administration may exacerbate this condition. Therefore, assessing breath sounds allows the nurse to monitor for signs of fluid overload, such as crackles or wheezes.
Collecting a clean catch urine specimen may be necessary for diagnostic purposes to assess kidney function and determine the presence or severity of acute kidney injury. However, obtaining vital signs and assessing breath sounds should be the first nursing intervention before administering any medication, including mannitol, to ensure the client's safety and monitor for any potential adverse effects.
In planning care for a client with early stage Alzheimer's disease, the nurse establishes the nursing problem of risk for injury related to impaired judgment. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care?
A. Engage the client in regularly scheduled activities during the day.
Engaging the client in regularly scheduled activities during the day is a beneficial intervention as it provides structure and stimulation for the client. However, it may not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment.
B. Offer the client frequent reassurance that he/she will be safe.
Offering the client frequent reassurance that they will be safe is important to provide emotional support, but it may not be sufficient in preventing physical harm or addressing the specific nursing problem of risk for injury.
C. Arrange the client's environment so the client can move about freely.
Clients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience impaired judgment and cognitive decline, which can increase their risk for injury. Arranging the client's environment in a way that allows them to move about freely helps promote their safety and reduces the risk of accidents or falls.
D. Assign a UAP to provide the client with total personal care.
Assigning a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel) to provide the client with total personal care may be helpful in assisting with activities of daily living. However, it does not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment, and the nurse should have a central role in coordinating and overseeing the client's care.
Full Explanation
Clients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience impaired judgment and cognitive decline, which can increase their risk for injury. Arranging the client's environment in a way that allows them to move about freely helps promote their safety and reduces the risk of accidents or falls.
Engaging the client in regularly scheduled activities during the day is a beneficial intervention as it provides structure and stimulation for the client. However, it may not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment.
Offering the client frequent reassurance that they will be safe is important to provide emotional support, but it may not be sufficient in preventing physical harm or addressing the specific nursing problem of risk for injury.
Assigning a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel) to provide the client with total personal care may be helpful in assisting with activities of daily living. However, it does not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment, and the nurse should have a central role in coordinating and overseeing the client's care.