- (Topic 4)
A postoperative TURP client is ordered continuous bladder irrigations. Later in the evening on the first postoperative day, he complains of increasing suprapubic pain. When assessing the client, the nurse notes diminished flow of bloody urine and several large blood clots in the drainage tubing. Which one of the following should be the initial nursing intervention?
Correct Answer:B
(A) The physician should be notified as problems arise, but in this case, the nurse can attempt to irrigate the Foley catheter first and call the physician if irrigation is unsuccessful. Notifying the physician of problems is a subsequent nursing intervention. (B) This answer is correct. Assessing catheter patency and irrigating as prescribed are the initial priorities to maintain continuous bladder irrigation. Manual irrigation will dislodge blood clots that have blocked the catheter and prevent problems of bladder distention, pain, and possibly fresh bleeding. (C) The Foley catheter would not be changed as an initial nursing intervention, but irrigation of the catheter should be done as ordered to dislodge clots that interfere with patency. (D) Even though the client complains of increasing suprapubic pain, administration of a prescribed narcotic analgesic is not the initial priority. The effect of the medication may mask the symptoms of a distended bladder and lead to more serious complications.
- (Topic 3)
A client has a chest tube placed in his left pleural space to re-expand his collapsed lung. In a closed-chest drainage system, the purpose of the water seal is to:
Correct Answer:A
(A) A chest tube extends from the pleural space to a collection device. The tube is placed below the surface of the saline so that air cannot enter the pleural space. (B) Fluid may enter the pleural space as a result of injury or disease. A chest tube may drain fluid from the pleural space, but the water seal is not involved in this. (C) Chest drainage should be measured, but the water seal is not involved in this. (D) Fluctuations in the tube in the water-sealed bottle will give an indication of respiratory effort, but that is not the purpose of the water seal.
- (Topic 4)
A 32-year-old female client is being treated for Guillain- Barr?? syndrome. She complains of gradually increasing muscle weakness over the past several days. She has noticed an increased difficulty in ambulating and fell yesterday. When conducting a nursing assessment, which finding would indicate a need for immediate further evaluation?
Correct Answer:C
(A) Headaches are not associated with Guillain-Barr?? syndrome. (B) Loss of superficial and deep tendon reflexes is expected with this diagnosis. (C) Complaints of shortness of breath must be further evaluated. Forty percent of all clients have some detectable respiratory weakness and should be prepared for a possible tracheostomy. Pneumonia is also a common complication of this syndrome. (D) Facial paralysis is expected and is not considered abnormal.
- (Topic 6)
A female client has been treated since childhood for mitral valve prolapse. The antibiotic of choice for her during pregnancy would be:
Correct Answer:D
(A) Sulfa is a teratogen and will cause kernicterus. (B) Tetracycline is a teratogen and will effect tooth development. (C) Hydralazine is not an antibiotic but a calcium channel blocker. (D) Erythromycin is safe during pregnancy and can be used when the client is allergic to penicillin.
- (Topic 1)
In assessing cardiovascular clients with progression of aortic stenosis, the nurse should be aware that there is typically:
Correct Answer:D
(A) These signs are seen in pulmonic stenosis or in response to pulmonary congestion and edema and mitral stenosis. (B) These signs are seen primarily in mitral stenosis or as a late sign in aortic stenosis after left ventricular failure. (C) These signs are seen primarily in right-sided heart valve dysfunction. (D) Left ventricular hypertrophy occurs to increase muscle mass and overcome the stenosis; left ventricular pressures increase as left ventricular volume increases owing to insufficient emptying.