A client who has a continuous tube feeding develops a fever and reports experiencing dyspnea. Which action should the nurse implement?

Report the findings to the healthcare provider.

Review the client's current electrolyte values.

Demonstrate the use of an incentive spirometer.

Connect the tube to low intermittent suction.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   The development of a fever and dyspnea in a client receiving continuous tube feeding could indicate a serious complication, such as aspiration pneumonia, infection, or another significant issue. Reporting these findings to the healthcare provider is crucial for further assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.
B.   While monitoring electrolyte values is important in clients receiving tube feedings, especially if there are concerns about dehydration or imbalances, it is not the immediate priority in this scenario. The client's fever and dyspnea suggest an acute issue that needs prompt attention, and addressing the acute symptoms and reporting them to the healthcare provider takes precedence over reviewing electrolytes.
C.   An incentive spirometer is useful for improving lung function and preventing atelectasis, particularly in postoperative or immobile patients. However, the presence of fever and dyspnea could indicate a more urgent problem such as aspiration or infection, which requires immediate medical evaluation and intervention.
D.   Connecting the tube to low intermittent suction is typically used to decompress the stomach in cases of gastric distension or to prevent aspiration of gastrointestinal contents. However, in the context of the client's new onset of fever and dyspnea, this action does not directly address the potential underlying cause, which could be more serious.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Asking the client to describe the pain is the most direct way to gather information about the quality of the pain. This approach allows the client to express characteristics such as whether the pain is sharp, dull, burning, aching, throbbing, or stabbing.
B. A visual analog scale (VAS) is useful for assessing the intensity of pain, not the quality. The VAS typically involves a line with endpoints representing no pain and worst possible pain, where the client marks their pain level.
C. The numeric pain scale is designed to measure the intensity of pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. Like the VAS, this scale assesses pain intensity rather than quality.
D. Palpation and observing the client's response can help assess the location and intensity of pain, particularly if there are physical findings associated with the pain. However, this method does not provide information about the pain’s quality, such as its character or nature.

A. Measure blood pressure in both arms. B. Assess skin turgor for elasticity. C. Observe the skin for signs of bruising. D. Note the rhythm of the pulse.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. While it is generally good practice to measure blood pressure in both arms for a comprehensive assessment, this is not the primary concern with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia primarily affects neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems, so while blood pressure monitoring is important, it does not directly address the critical symptoms associated with low calcium levels.
B. Assessing skin turgor is a useful practice for evaluating hydration status and skin elasticity but is not specifically related to the management or symptoms of hypocalcemia. In hypocalcemia, skin changes are not the most relevant concern compared to neuromuscular symptoms.
C. Hypocalcemia can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising due to impaired blood clotting mechanisms. Monitoring for bruising can be an important aspect of assessing the effects of low calcium levels on the client’s hemostatic function. Bruising can be a direct indicator of the impact of hypocalcemia on blood coagulation and is relevant to the clinical management of the condition.
D. Hypocalcemia can affect cardiac function, potentially leading to changes in heart rhythm and rate. Monitoring the rhythm of the pulse is crucial, as it can help identify arrhythmias or other cardiac disturbances associated with low calcium levels.

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A client who has a continuous tube feeding develops a fever and reports experiencing dyspnea. Which action should the nurse implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When assessing a client's pain, the nurse determines the location and intensity of the pain. To gather data about the quality of the pain, which action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client has a total serum calcium level of 7.0 mg/dL (1.75 mmol/L). Based on this information, which action is most important for the nurse to include while measuring the client's vital signs? Reference Range: Total Calcium (9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.62 mmol/L)]

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

While changing the dressing of a client who is immobile, the nurse observes a red and swollen wound with a moderate amount of yellow and green drainage and a foul odor. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should note which of the client's laboratory values?

When entering a client's room, the nurse observes the client holding up an arm and coughing non-productively into the upper sleeve. Which action should the nurse take?

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The nurse observes a colleague putting printed copies of client information in a uniform pocket before going home. Which action should the nurse take?

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