A nurse is assisting in the care of an adolescent.
The nurse is reviewing the data collection findings.
Select the 5 findings the nurse should report to the provider.
Temperature
Sclera
Bowel sounds
Abdominal tenderness
Anorexia
Breath sounds
Heart rate
Skin
Correct Answer : B,D,E,G,H
- Temperature: A temperature of 37.5° C (99.5° F) is within the normal to slightly elevated range and is not high enough to be classified as fever. Therefore, it does not require immediate reporting unless accompanied by other signs of infection or systemic illness.
- Sclera: Yellow-tinged sclera suggests jaundice, indicating possible liver dysfunction, which could be related to substance use or hepatitis. Jaundice is a significant clinical finding that requires immediate provider notification for further evaluation and management.
- Bowel sounds: Hyperactive bowel sounds are a non-specific finding and can result from gastrointestinal irritation, substance use, or stress. Alone, they do not warrant urgent reporting unless accompanied by more serious signs like severe pain or vomiting.
- Abdominal tenderness: Epigastric tenderness could suggest gastrointestinal complications such as hepatitis, pancreatitis, or gastritis, especially in the context of drug use. Abdominal pain on palpation is a concerning symptom that must be reported for further diagnostic workup.
- Anorexia: Significant anorexia along with nausea, vomiting, and substance use points to potential systemic illness or gastrointestinal involvement. In adolescents, persistent anorexia is a warning sign that needs prompt evaluation to prevent nutritional deficiencies and worsening health.
- Breath sounds: Clear breath sounds are a normal finding and do not require immediate provider notification. There are no respiratory concerns indicated by the lung assessment provided in the notes.
- Heart rate: A heart rate of 103/min indicates mild tachycardia, which could be due to dehydration, substance use, or an underlying systemic condition. Tachycardia should be reported to assess if immediate interventions like fluid replacement are necessary.
- Skin: Dry skin with poor turgor signals dehydration, a critical finding especially with the reported vomiting and drug use. Dehydration can rapidly worsen and must be addressed by the provider for fluid management and further care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Increased senses: PCA pump use, typically involving opioids, does not heighten the senses. Instead, opioids often dull sensory perception and can cause sedation rather than making sensations sharper or more intense.
B. Decreased sleep: Opioids used in PCA pumps often promote drowsiness and sleep rather than reducing it. Sleep disturbances are not a common direct effect of properly managed PCA analgesia unless pain remains uncontrolled.
C. Difficulty swallowing: Difficulty swallowing is not a usual side effect associated with PCA use. If it occurs, it would likely suggest another issue, such as a neurological problem, rather than a typical reaction to PCA-administered opioids.
D. Urinary frequency: Opioids can affect the bladder by either causing urinary retention or, less commonly, altering normal patterns. Clients receiving adequate hydration and pain management might experience urinary frequency, especially as mobility increases postoperatively.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Maintain 30 ml sterile water in the drainage collection chamber: The sterile water is maintained in the water-seal chamber, not the drainage collection chamber. The water-seal chamber typically holds about 2 cm of water to create a one-way valve preventing air from entering the pleural space, not 30 mL in the drainage area.
B. Place the drainage device level with the tube insertion site: The drainage device should always be kept below the level of the chest tube insertion site to allow gravity to assist drainage and to prevent backflow of fluid or air into the pleural cavity, which could cause complications.
C. Keep system tubing connections taped together: Taping the system tubing connections securely helps maintain a closed system, preventing accidental disconnections that could lead to air leaks or loss of the negative pressure needed for proper lung re-expansion. This is essential for the effectiveness of chest tube management.
D. Empty the drainage collection chamber every 4 hr: The drainage collection chamber is not emptied routinely. Instead, it is replaced when full or according to facility protocol. Frequent opening of the system increases the risk of introducing infection or losing the closed negative-pressure system.
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