Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
While performing an admission assessment for a client, the nurse notes that the client has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema with a report of a feeling of heaviness. Which of the following nursing diagnoses should the nurse identify as being the priority in the client's care?
A. Alteration in body image
Alteration in body image. This is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a negative perception or dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance or function. It may be applicable for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these may affect their self-esteem and social interactions. However, it is not the priority nursing diagnosis for this client, as it does not pose an immediate threat to their health or safety.
B. Alteration in activity tolerance
Alteration in activity tolerance. This is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a decrease in the ability to perform physical activities without experiencing fatigue, dyspnea, or other symptoms. It may be applicable for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these may limit their mobility and endurance. However, it is not the priority nursing diagnosis for this client, as it does not pose an immediate threat to their health or safety.
C. Impaired tissue perfusion
Impaired tissue perfusion is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a decrease in oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues, resulting in cellular dysfunction and potential tissue damage or necrosis. It is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these are signs of chronic venous insufficiency, which is a condition in which the veins in the legs fail to return blood to the heart effectively, causing blood to pool and stagnate in the lower extremities. This leads to increased venous pressure, inflammation, and impaired wound healing, which can cause skin breakdown, infection, and tissue necrosis. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs, peripheral pulses, capillary refill, skin color, temperature, and sensation, and implement interventions to improve venous return and prevent further complications, such as elevating the legs, applying compression stockings, encouraging ambulation, administering medications, and providing wound care.
D. Impaired skin integrity
Impaired skin integrity. This is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a disruption or damage to the epidermis or dermis layers of the skin. It is applicable for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these can cause skin breakdown and infection. However, it is not the priority nursing diagnosis for this client, as it is a consequence of impaired tissue perfusion, which is the underlying problem that needs to be addressed first.
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Full Explanation
Impaired tissue perfusion is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a decrease in oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues, resulting in cellular dysfunction and potential tissue damage or necrosis. It is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these are signs of chronic venous insufficiency, which is a condition in which the veins in the legs fail to return blood to the heart effectively, causing blood to pool and stagnate in the lower extremities. This leads to increased venous pressure, inflammation, and impaired wound healing, which can cause skin breakdown, infection, and tissue necrosis. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs, peripheral pulses, capillary refill, skin color, temperature, and sensation, and implement interventions to improve venous return and prevent further complications, such as elevating the legs, applying compression stockings, encouraging ambulation, administering medications, and providing wound care.
Alteration in body image. This is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a negative perception or dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance or function. It may be applicable for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these may affect their self-esteem and social interactions. However, it is not the priority nursing diagnosis for this client, as it does not pose an immediate threat to their health or safety.
Alteration in activity tolerance. This is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a decrease in the ability to perform physical activities without experiencing fatigue, dyspnea, or other symptoms. It may be applicable for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these may limit their mobility and endurance. However, it is not the priority nursing diagnosis for this client, as it does not pose an immediate threat to their health or safety.
Impaired skin integrity. This is a nursing diagnosis that indicates a disruption or damage to the epidermis or dermis layers of the skin. It is applicable for a client who has varicose veins with ulcerations and lower extremity edema, as these can cause skin breakdown and infection. However, it is not the priority nursing diagnosis for this client, as it is a consequence of impaired tissue perfusion, which is the underlying problem that needs to be addressed first.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an appendectomy and is prescribed 1 L lactated Ringer's at 150 mL/hr by continuous IV infusion for 12 hr. The drop factor of the manual IV tubing is 20 gt/mL. The nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gt/min?
Full Explanation
To calculate the gt/min, the nurse should use the following formula:
gt/min = (mL/hr x drop factor) / 60
Plugging in the given values, we get:
gt/min = (150 mL/hr x 20 gt/mL) / 60
gt/min = 3000 gt/hr / 60 gt/min = 50 gt/min
Therefore, the nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver 50 gt/min.
A nurse is caring for a client who has sepsis and a prescription for vancomycin 1 g in 250 mL dextrose 5% (D5W) over 2 hr by IV intermitent bolus. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
To calculate the infusion rate, the nurse should use the following formula:
Infusion rate (mL/hr) = Volume (mL) / Time (hr)
Plugging in the given values, the nurse should get:
Infusion rate (mL/hr) = 250 mL / 2 hr
Infusion rate (mL/hr) = 125 mL/hr
The nurse should round the answer to the nearest whole number and use a leading zero if it applies. Therefore, the nurse should set the IV pump to deliver 125 mL/hr.
A nurse is preparing to administer valproic acid 400 mg PO bid for migraine headaches. Available is valproic acid 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
To calculate the volume to administer, the nurse should use the following formula:
Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL) x 1000
Plugging in the given values, the nurse should get:
Volume (mL) = 400 mg / 250 mg/5 mL x 1000
Volume (mL) = 8 mL
The nurse should round the answer to the nearest whole number and use a leading zero if it applies. Therefore, the nurse should administer 8 mL of valproic acid per dose.