A client with Crohn's disease is admitted to the medical unit with a three-day history of abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Which prescription should the nurse implement first?

Send the client to x-ray for a flat plate of the abdomen.

Give a prescribed analgesic for temperature above 101°F (38.3°C).

Place an indwelling urinary catheter and attach to a bedside drainage unit.

Insert a nasogastric tube (NGT) and attach to low intermittent suction.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Sending the client to x-ray for a flat plate of the abdomen is important for diagnosing the underlying cause of symptoms, such as bowel obstruction or severe inflammation. However, in the immediate situation, it is essential to relieve the client's symptoms and stabilize their condition first.

Choice B reason: Giving a prescribed analgesic for temperature above 101°F (38.3°C) can help manage fever and pain. However, it is not the first priority. The client’s primary issue is abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting, which need to be addressed urgently to prevent further complications.

Choice C reason: Placing an indwelling urinary catheter and attaching it to a bedside drainage unit may be necessary if there are urinary retention concerns. However, this intervention does not directly address the gastrointestinal symptoms that are currently most troubling for the client.

Choice D reason: Inserting a nasogastric tube (NGT) and attaching it to low intermittent suction is the most immediate priority. This action helps to decompress the stomach, relieve nausea and vomiting, and prevent further complications such as aspiration or worsening of the obstruction. It provides immediate symptomatic relief and allows for better management of the client's condition.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Reporting black stools to the healthcare provider is important because black stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious complication of gastritis. This statement reflects proper understanding and does not need additional education.

Choice B reason: Consuming caffeine in moderation is advisable because excessive caffeine can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate gastritis symptoms. This statement is correct and shows proper understanding.

Choice C reason: Drinking plenty of water with meals might seem beneficial, but it can actually dilute stomach acid and interfere with digestion, potentially worsening gastritis symptoms. Instead, it is recommended to drink water between meals to stay hydrated without impacting digestion.

Choice D reason: Avoiding ibuprofen for headaches is important because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining and worsen gastritis. This statement reflects proper understanding and does not need additional education.

A. Degree of skin elasticity. B. Length of capillary refill. C. Rhythm of apical pulse. D. Volume of pedal pulses.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: The degree of skin elasticity is a measure often used to assess hydration status, especially in older adults. However, it does not provide direct information about the client's cardiac function or the cause of their current symptoms.

Choice B reason: The length of capillary refill is useful for assessing peripheral perfusion and overall circulatory status. While prolonged capillary refill can indicate poor perfusion, it does not provide specific information about heart rhythm or the cause of palpitations and faintness in a client with heart failure.

Choice C reason: The rhythm of the apical pulse is the most important assessment data to obtain in this scenario. The client's complaint of a fast-beating heart and feeling faint suggests a possible arrhythmia, which could be detected by assessing the rhythm of the apical pulse. This assessment can help identify irregular heartbeats, tachycardia, or other abnormalities that may require immediate intervention.

Choice D reason: The volume of pedal pulses can provide information about peripheral circulation, but it is not as crucial as assessing the heart rhythm in a client experiencing palpitations and faintness. Peripheral pulse volume may not change significantly with certain arrhythmias or cardiac issues that affect the central circulation more directly.

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A client with Crohn's disease is admitted to the medical unit with a three-day history of abdominal cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Which prescription should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is teaching a client with gastritis about self-management. Which statement made by the client should the nurse recognize as needing additional education?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with heart failure (HF) is waiting in the preoperative area for a scheduled procedure and tells the nurse, "My heart feels like it is beating too fast and I feel faint." After initiating a call for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which assessment data is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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