A client with suspected appendicitis is waiting for surgery. What should the nurse do?

Offer the client a warm beverage.

Monitor the client's gag reflex.

Help the client to a side-lying position with knees flexed.

Bring the client a heating pad to apply to the abdomen for comfort.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason:

Offering a warm beverage to a client with suspected appendicitis is not advisable. Preoperative clients are typically required to have an empty stomach to reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. Introducing fluids or food could delay surgery and increase the risk of complications.

Choice B reason:

Monitoring the client's gag reflex is not a priority in the care of a client with suspected appendicitis. The gag reflex is more relevant in neurological assessments or when evaluating swallowing function, not in the context of appendicitis.

Choice C reason:

Helping the client to a side-lying position with knees flexed can provide comfort and may help relieve abdominal pain. This position reduces tension on the abdominal muscles and can be a supportive measure while the client awaits surgery.

Choice D reason:

Applying a heating pad to the abdomen is contraindicated in clients with suspected appendicitis. Heat can cause the appendix to rupture, leading to peritonitis, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication. Therefore, this action should be avoided.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Increasing fiber intake is crucial for clients with diverticular disease. A high-fiber diet softens the stool and helps it pass more easily, reducing the pressure in the digestive tract. Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber and other nutrients essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a dietary fiber intake of 14 grams per 1,000 calories consumed, which equates to 28 grams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet.

Choice b reason:
While avoiding foods high in sugar is generally good advice for overall health, it is not specifically related to the management of diverticular disease. There is no direct link between sugar intake and the symptoms or complications of diverticular disease. However, a diet high in sugar can contribute to obesity, which is a risk factor for the development of diverticulosis.

Choice c reason:
Decreasing fluid intake is not recommended for clients with diverticular disease. In fact, adequate hydration is essential when increasing fiber intake. Fluids help fiber work better by allowing it to absorb water and expand, aiding in easier passage through the intestines.

Choice d reason:
The previous belief that small seeds and nuts should be avoided by individuals with diverticular disease has been debunked. Recent studies have shown that these foods do not increase the risk of complications and are not harmful to individuals with this condition. Therefore, this advice is outdated and no longer considered necessary as part of dietary teaching for diverticular disease.

A. Assess if the client's urine output has increased. B. Ask the client if chest pain is relieved. C. Take the client's blood pressure. D. Ask the client to ambulate and assess for the absence of dyspnea.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason
Increased urine output is not a direct indicator of the effectiveness of nitroglycerin for angina pectoris. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator used primarily to relieve chest pain by improving blood flow to the heart muscle, not to influence urine production.

Choice B Reason
Asking the client if their chest pain has been relieved is the most direct method of evaluating the effectiveness of nitroglycerin. Relief of chest pain indicates that the medication is working as intended, reducing the ischemia that causes angina.

Choice C Reason
While taking the client's blood pressure is important, especially since nitroglycerin can cause hypotension, it is not the primary method for evaluating the effectiveness of the medication in relieving angina. Blood pressure measurements are more of a safety check to monitor for adverse effects.

Choice D Reason
Ambulation and assessing for the absence of dyspnea can be part of an overall evaluation of the client's cardiovascular status, but they are not specific to evaluating the effectiveness of nitroglycerin for angina relief. Dyspnea may be a symptom of heart failure or other conditions, not specifically angina pectoris.

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A client with suspected appendicitis is waiting for surgery. What should the nurse do?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client who has just been diagnosed with diverticular disease. What dietary teaching will the nurse provide?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

To evaluate the effectiveness of nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL administered to a client diagnosed with angina pectoris, the nurse should:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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