A nurse in an emergency department is assisting a provider who is assessing a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Positive leukocyte esterase

Increased pain upon release of abdominal palpation

WBC 9,500 mm3

Pain from flexion of the left thigh when lying on the right side

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Positive leukocyte esterase is a laboratory finding typically identified during a urinalysis to screen for the presence of white blood cells. While this may indicate a urinary tract infection or renal calculi, it is not a diagnostic marker for an inflamed appendix. In appendicitis, the primary biochemical changes are systemic rather than localized to the urinary excretion system. The nurse would not expect this specific finding to confirm a diagnosis of appendiceal inflammation.

B. Increased pain upon the sudden release of deep abdominal palpation is known as rebound tenderness or Blumberg sign. This clinical phenomenon occurs when the parietal peritoneum is irritated due to the inflammatory process of the adjacent appendix. It is one of the most reliable physical examination findings for identifying peritoneal irritation associated with acute appendicitis. The nurse should expect this reaction during the provider's assessment of the right lower quadrant.

C. A white blood cell (WBC) count of 9,500 mm3 falls within the standard physiological reference range for a healthy adult. In a client with acute appendicitis, the nurse would instead expect to see significant leukocytosis, typically exceeding 10,000 to 18,000 mm3. This elevation in the leukocyte count reflects the body's systemic inflammatory response to the localized infection. A normal count like 9,500 mm3 would be atypical for a client with an actively inflamed appendix.

D. Pain from flexion of the left thigh while lying on the right side is not a characteristic sign of appendicitis. The psoas sign, which is associated with appendicitis, involves pain upon extension or flexion of the right thigh, as the appendix sits in the right iliac fossa. Flexing the left thigh does not cause the anatomical tension required to irritate an inflamed appendix. This finding would suggest a different pathology or involve an unaffected anatomical region.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Contact dermatitis: This condition results from an allergic reaction or irritation caused by contact with a substance, such as chemicals, detergents, or allergens. It is not a communicable skin infection and does not spread from person to person.

B) Actinic keratoses: These are rough, scaly patches on the skin caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. They are considered precancerous lesions and are not contagious. They result from environmental factors rather than person-to-person transmission.

C) Psoriasis: This is a chronic autoimmune condition that leads to the rapid buildup of skin cells, causing scaling on the skin's surface. It is not contagious and does not spread through person-to-person contact. Psoriasis is an inherited condition influenced by immune system triggers.

D) Herpes zoster: Also known as shingles, this condition is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). While shingles itself is not spread from person to person, the virus can be transmitted from a person with shingles to someone who has never had chickenpox, potentially causing chickenpox in the latter individual. The virus is spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters.

A. Suggest the client avoid snacking during the day. B. Encourage the client to rest before eating meals. C. Instruct the client to consume 1 L of fluid daily. D. Tell the client to increase the saturated fat content of each meal.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) "Suggest the client avoid snacking during the day.": Snacking can help maintain caloric intake and prevent malnutrition. It is generally beneficial for clients with wasting syndrome to have frequent, small meals and snacks throughout the day to increase overall caloric and nutrient intake.

B) "Encourage the client to rest before eating meals.": Resting before meals can help conserve energy, making it easier for clients with wasting syndrome to eat larger portions and improve their nutritional intake. Fatigue can significantly reduce appetite and meal consumption, so conserving energy for eating is a practical strategy.

C) "Instruct the client to consume 1 L of fluid daily.": Proper hydration is important, but 1 liter may be insufficient for overall hydration needs. Clients with AIDS and wasting syndrome should be encouraged to maintain adequate fluid intake to support overall health and aid in digestion, which typically requires more than 1 liter per day.

D) "Tell the client to increase the saturated fat content of each meal.": Increasing saturated fat content is not advisable as it can lead to other health complications such as cardiovascular disease. Instead, a balanced diet with healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates is more appropriate to address malnutrition in clients with wasting syndrome.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse in an emergency department is assisting a provider who is assessing a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is planning to teach a group of newly licensed nurses about communicable skin infections. Which of the following skin disorders should the nurse identify as being transmitted person-to-person?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has AIDS and is experiencing wasting syndrome. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent malnutrition?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is monitoring a client who is taking captopril and has developed swelling of the lips and tongue. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to manage this adverse medication reaction?

A nurse is reviewing the medical record for a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect to see included in the client's medical record?

A nurse in a post anesthesia care unit is caring for a client who is recovering from general anesthesia and is experiencing malignant hyperthermia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a lithotripsy for renal calculi. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is assessing a client's adaptation to a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse that the client is managing the disease?

A nurse is providing teaching about albuterol to a parent of a school-age child who has asthma. The nurse should instruct the parent to monitor for which of the following findings as adverse effects of albuterol? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is teaching a client who has hearing impairment due to Meniere’s disease about meclizine. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is teaching a client who has generalized anxiety disorder and a new prescription of buspirone. The nurse should instruct the client to notify the provider of which of the following findings as an adverse effect of buspirone?