A client with hyperthyroidism tells the home health nurse, "I stopped taking my antithyroid medication and now I feel anxious. I can feel my heart racing and pounding." Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Peripheral pulses.

Vital signs.

Presence of goitre.

Emotional status.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Assessing peripheral pulses is important for understanding the client's overall circulatory status, but it is not the most urgent assessment in this situation. The client's symptoms suggest a possible thyrotoxic crisis, which requires immediate evaluation of critical vital signs.

Choice B reason: Obtaining vital signs is the most important initial assessment. The client's report of anxiety, heart racing, and pounding could indicate a severe exacerbation of hyperthyroidism, potentially leading to a thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm). Vital signs will provide essential information on the client's heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and overall stability, which are crucial for immediate management.

Choice C reason: The presence of a goitre can indicates thyroid gland enlargement, which is relevant for long-term management of hyperthyroidism. However, it does not provide immediate information on the client's current acute condition.

Choice D reason: Assessing emotional status is important for comprehensive care, but it is not the priority in this acute scenario. The client's physiological status needs to be stabilized first, as indicated by their vital signs, before focusing on their emotional state.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Telling the client to lay on the left side to prevent the tongue from falling back into the mouth is not a standard intervention for managing swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease. The focus should be on dietary modifications and safe swallowing techniques.

Choice B reason: Teaching the client to take medication an hour before meals to enhance the swallowing reflex is not a widely recognized intervention for managing swallowing difficulties. While timing of medication can be important, dietary adjustments are more immediately effective.

Choice C reason: Preparing the client and family for the future need of a gastrostomy tube for feeding might be necessary if swallowing difficulties progress significantly. However, it is not the first line of intervention and should be considered only after other measures have been tried.

Choice D reason: Encouraging the client and family to provide a semi-solid diet with thick liquids is the most appropriate intervention. Semi-solid and thickened liquids are easier to swallow and less likely to cause choking or aspiration, which is crucial for managing dysphagia in clients with Parkinson's disease.

A. Stool with fatty streaks. B. Blood in the stool. C. Clay-coloured stool. D. Hard pellets of stool.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Stool with fatty streaks is not a common finding in ulcerative colitis. It is more associated with malabsorption syndromes.

Choice B reason: Blood in the stool is a significant finding in ulcerative colitis, especially during an acute exacerbation. It indicates active inflammation and potential bleeding in the colon, which requires immediate attention and intervention.

Choice C reason: Clay-coloured stool usually indicates a problem with the bile ducts or liver, such as bile duct obstruction. It is not specific to ulcerative colitis.

Choice D reason: Hard pellets of stool indicate constipation, which is not typically associated with ulcerative colitis, especially during an acute exacerbation where diarrhea is more common.

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A client with hyperthyroidism tells the home health nurse, "I stopped taking my antithyroid medication and now I feel anxious. I can feel my heart racing and pounding." Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The home health nurse is caring for a client with Parkinson's disease who is beginning to experience swallowing difficulties. Which intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A client with ulcerative colitis is admitted to the medical unit during an acute exacerbation. The nurse should instruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to report which finding related to the client's bowel movements?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is preparing a prescription for enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneous (sub) daily. Enoxaparin is available in a pre-filled cartridge labelled, "60 mg per 0.6 mall" How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

A client reports a 2-day history of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The healthcare provider prescribes serum electrolyte levels to be obtained. Which laboratory results should the nurse expect?

When teaching a client with Parkinson's disease, which rationale for the prescription of carbidopa-levodopa should the nurse include?

The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who reports frequent urination and who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Which outcome should the nurse include in the plan of care for this client?

During the evening shift, a client with Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated, restless, and repeatedly attempts to leave the room unattended. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Which diet modification should the nurse suggest to a client who was recently diagnosed with diverticulitis?

The nurse is assessing clients in an outpatient diabetic clinic. Which entry provides the best indication that the client is adhering to the prescribed diabetic regimen?

A client with chronic venous insufficiency is being discharged from the hospital and plans to return home. Which client statement indicates an understanding of home care instructions?