The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for several clients. Which of the laboratory
result indicates a client with partly compensated metabolic acidosis?
Chloride 100 mEq/L (100 mmol/L)
Sodium 130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L)
Hemoglobin 15 g/dL (150 g//L)
PaCO2 30 mm Hg - Answer PaCO2 30 mm Hg
The client is admitted to an ambulatory surgery center and undergoes a right inguinal
orchiectomy. Which option is the priority before the client can be discharged to home?
Able to ambulate in the hallway with assistance
Post-operative pain is managed
Correct response
Able to tolerate a regular diet
Psychological counseling is scheduled - Answer Post-operative pain is managed
A child is treated with succimer for lead poisoning. Which of these assessments should
the nurse perform first?
Test deep tendon reflexes
Check blood calcium level
Check complete blood count (CBC) with differential
Check serum potassium level - Answer Check complete blood count (CBC) with
differential
Succimer (Chemet) is used in the management of lead or other heavy metal poisoning.
Although it has generally well tolerated and has a relatively low toxicity, it may cause
neutropenia. Therapy should be withheld or discontinued if the absolute neutrophil
count (ANC) is below 1200/µ.
The client with a T-2 spinal cord injury reports having a "pounding" headache. Further
assessment by the nurse reveals excessive sweating, rash, pilomotor erection, facial
flushing, congested nasal passages and a heart rate of 50. What action should the
nurse take next?
Place the client into the bed and administer the ordered PRN analgesic
, NCSBN QBANK
Measure the client's respirations, blood pressure, temperature and pupillary responses
Check the client for bladder distention and the urinary catheter for kinks
Assist client with relaxation techniques - Answer Check the client for bladder distention
and the urinary catheter for kinks
These are findings of autonomic dysreflexia, also called hyperreflexia. This response
occurs in clients with a spinal cord injury above the T-6 level. It is typically initiated by
any noxious stimulus below the level of injury such as a full bladder, an enema or bowel
movement, fecal impaction, uterine contractions, changing of the catheter and vaginal
or rectal examinations. The stimulus creates an exaggerated response of the
sympathetic nervous system and can be a life-threatening event. The BP is typically
extremely high. The priority action of the nurse is to identify and relieve the cause of the
stimulus.
The nurse is assessing a 4 year-old child who is in skeletal traction 24 hours after
surgical repair of a fractured femur. The child is crying and reports having severe pain.
The right foot is pale and there is no palpable pulse. What action should the nurse take
first?
Administer the ordered PRN medication
Reassess the extremity in 15 minutes
Readjust the traction for comfort
Notify the health care provider - Answer Notify the health care provider
Pain and absence of a pulse within 48-72 hours after a severe injury to an extremity
suggests acute compartment syndrome. This condition occurs when there's a build up
of pressure within the muscles; this pressure decreases blood flow and can cause
muscle and nerve damage. Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency.
Surgery is needed immediately; delaying surgery can lead to permanent damage to the
extremity.
The nurse is examining a 2 year-old child with a tentative diagnosis of Wilm's tumor.
The nurse would be most concerned about which statement by the mother?
"My child has lost three pounds in the last month."
"The child prefers some salty foods more than others."