A female patient presents with right upper quadrant pain, nausea and vomiting. She has been diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. What is the most appropriate nursing action to alleviate her symptoms?

Encouraging the patient to drink ginger tea for nausea

Applying ice packs to the abdomen

Administering prescribed intravenous analgesics

Advising the patient to eat small, frequent meals

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Encouraging the patient to drink ginger tea for nausea: While ginger tea may help with nausea in some cases, it is not an appropriate intervention for acute cholecystitis, which requires more aggressive management.

B. Applying ice packs to the abdomen: Ice packs are not a standard treatment for acute cholecystitis and would not effectively alleviate the patient’s pain or inflammation.

C. Administering prescribed intravenous analgesics: The most appropriate intervention is to administer prescribed intravenous analgesics to relieve pain in patients with acute cholecystitis. Pain management is a priority to alleviate discomfort while awaiting further treatment, such as surgery or antibiotics.

D. Advising the patient to eat small, frequent meals: Dietary changes like eating small, frequent meals may be advised after the acute phase to prevent future attacks, but they are not appropriate for addressing acute symptoms.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. The patients have lowered their cholesterol levels from previous laboratory results: Lower cholesterol levels are a positive health outcome but could result from factors other than weight loss, such as medication or diet changes. It is a good sign but not the most direct measure of the intervention's success.

B. The patients have improved blood pressure readings to be within expected reference range: Blood pressure improvements are important and can result from weight loss, but other factors like medications could influence this outcome.

C. The patients are choosing healthier food options for their diet plans: While choosing healthier food options is a positive behavior change, it is a process measure rather than an outcome. It does not necessarily indicate the interventions are working as effectively as a decrease in BMI.

D. There is a significant decrease in the patients' BMI measurements. A significant reduction in BMI is the most direct indicator of effective weight-loss interventions. A decrease in BMI reflects a measurable outcome that directly relates to weight loss.

A. Administer intravenous antibiotics and observe the patient for 24 hours. B. Provide the patient with oral pain medications and discharge them with a follow-up appointment. C. Recommend a liquid diet and bed rest to reduce inflammation. D. Prepare the patient for an appendectomy.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Administer intravenous antibiotics and observe the patient for 24 hours: IV antibiotics may be given preoperatively, but observation without surgery is not the standard treatment for confirmed appendicitis due to the risk of rupture.

B. Provide the patient with oral pain medications and discharge them with a follow-up appointment: Oral pain medications are not appropriate as the patient needs surgical intervention. Discharging the patient without surgery could result in life-threatening complications.

C. Recommend a liquid diet and bed rest to reduce inflammation: A liquid diet and bed rest will not address the underlying issue of appendicitis, which requires surgical removal of the inflamed appendix.

D. Prepare the patient for an appendectomy. The standard treatment for acute appendicitis is an appendectomy. Delaying surgery can lead to complications such as perforation, peritonitis, or abscess formation. This is the most appropriate intervention.

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A female patient presents with right upper quadrant pain, nausea and vomiting. She has been diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. What is the most appropriate nursing action to alleviate her symptoms?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse practicing population health works for a local hospital's weight-loss program for bariatric patients. After assisting to implement various health-style changes in their care plans, which of the following findings would indicate to the nurse that the interventions are working?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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