A nurse is assessing the lumbar puncture results of an older adult client who has bacterial meningitis. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?

Decreased WBC count

Increased glucose

Clear cerebrospinal fluid

Increased protein

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Rationale:
A. Decreased WBC count: Bacterial meningitis causes an inflammatory response, leading to an increased WBC count in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), not a decrease. Elevated WBCs indicate the body is fighting infection in the central nervous system.

B. Increased glucose: CSF glucose levels are typically decreased because bacteria consume glucose and impair its transport across the blood-brain barrier. The presence of leukocytes and pathogens in the CSF also contributes to glucose depletion. Elevated glucose is not characteristic of this condition.

C. Clear cerebrospinal fluid: CSF in bacterial meningitis is usually cloudy or turbid due to the accumulation of white blood cells, protein, and bacteria. The change in appearance reflects the severity of the infection and is one of the classic diagnostic signs. Clear CSF would be more consistent with normal or viral findings.

D. Increased protein: A hallmark of bacterial meningitis is elevated CSF protein levels due to increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier and the presence of bacterial and inflammatory proteins. This is an expected finding.

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Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A,B"},"B":{"answers":"A,B"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"A,B"}}

Explanation

Rationale:

Report of pain: Abdominal pain is common in both cirrhosis and viral hepatitis due to liver inflammation, capsule stretching, or complications like ascites. In hepatitis, pain is often acute and located in the right upper quadrant, while in cirrhosis, it may be more generalized or related to portal hypertension.
Eye sclera finding: Jaundice, noted as yellowing of the sclera, occurs in both conditions due to impaired bilirubin metabolism. In cirrhosis, it's due to chronic hepatocellular failure, while in viral hepatitis, it's from acute inflammation impairing bilirubin excretion.
Alcohol intake history: A 25-year history of heavy alcohol use is a strong risk factor for alcoholic cirrhosis. While alcohol use can worsen viral hepatitis, it is not a primary cause of viral hepatitis, which is due to infection with hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, etc.).
Report of energy level: Fatigue is a common symptom in both conditions due to impaired liver function, toxin accumulation, anemia, or systemic inflammation. In viral hepatitis, fatigue is often sudden and profound, while in cirrhosis, it is usually chronic and progressive.

A. Prepare to intubate the client with an endotracheal tube. B. Place a nonrebreather face mask. C. Obtain a prescription for arterial blood gases. D. Apply noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Rationale:
A. Prepare to intubate the client with an endotracheal tube: Intubation is an invasive intervention typically reserved for clients with severe or rapidly deteriorating respiratory failure. It is not the first step in managing hypoxia when simpler oxygen delivery methods may be effective.

B. Place a nonrebreather face mask: This is the priority action because a nonrebreather mask delivers high-concentration oxygen (up to 95–100%) and can rapidly correct hypoxia. It is the most appropriate next step when a nasal cannula at 5 L/min is insufficient.

C. Obtain a prescription for arterial blood gases: While important for assessing the severity of hypoxia and guiding further treatment, this diagnostic action does not immediately address the client’s oxygenation needs.

D. Apply noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation: This intervention is beneficial for clients with certain conditions like COPD or heart failure but may not be the first-line response for general hypoxia. A nonrebreather mask is simpler and faster to apply in an acute setting.

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A nurse is assessing the lumbar puncture results of an older adult client who has bacterial meningitis. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

For each client assessment finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with cirrhosis or viral hepatitis: Each finding may support more than one disease process Exhibits

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A,B"},"B":{"answers":"A,B"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"A,B"}}

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen at 5 L/min via nasal cannula and is hypoxic. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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