A 60-year-old patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease is admitted to the hospital with complaints of coffee-ground emesis and melena. What is the nurse's most appropriate initial action?
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and relax.
Prepare the patient for an abdominal ultrasound.
Administer oral proton pump inhibitors as prescribed.
Initiate intravenous (IV) access and administer fluids as prescribed.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Encouraging the patient to relax and breathe deeply does not address the immediate concerns of potential hemorrhage.
B. An abdominal ultrasound is not the first step in managing potential GI bleeding; stabilization is the priority.
C. Proton pump inhibitors are important for managing peptic ulcer disease, but the immediate priority is
stabilizing the patient’s condition.
D. Initiating IV access and administering fluids as prescribed is essential to stabilize the patient, manage shock, and address potential blood loss from gastrointestinal bleeding.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Aspirin can irritate the gastrointestinal lining, making it unsuitable for patients with GERD.
B. Alcohol and caffeine both relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which can increase the risk of acid reflux and worsen GERD symptoms.
C. Lying down immediately after eating can increase the likelihood of acid reflux and exacerbate GERD symptoms.
D. While mercury-containing seafood can be harmful in other contexts, it is not directly linked to GERD and should not be a primary concern.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds are typically seen with diarrhea but are not a sign of hypokalemia.
B. Cerebral edema can occur with severe electrolyte imbalances, but it is not specifically related to hypokalemia caused by diarrhea.
C. Hypertension is not a typical symptom of hypokalemia; rather, hypokalemia often leads to low blood pressure.
D. Muscle weakness is a classic sign of hypokalemia because potassium is essential for proper muscle function, and low levels can impair contraction.
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