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A nurse is caring for a client on the medical surgical unit.

Click to highlight the findings at 1630 that require immediate follow-up. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.

Body System

Findings

Cardiovascular

S1, S2, no murmur, bradycardia

Respiratory

decreased respiratory effort, equal chest expansion, bilateral crackles

Neurologic

somnolent

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat (HEENT)

oropharynx clear, mucous membranes moist, pinpoint pupils

Vital Signs

Temperature 37.4° C (99.4° F)

Heart rate 58/min

Respiratory rate 10/min

Blood pressure 98/58 mm Hg

A.

S1, S2, no murmur, bradycardia

B.

decreased respiratory effort

C.

equal chest expansion, bilateral crackles

D.

somnolent

E.

oropharynx clear,

F.

mucous membranes moist

G.

pinpoint pupils

H.

Respiratory rate 10/min

I.

Blood pressure 98/58 mm Hg

J.

Heart rate 58/min

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is ["B","D","G","H","I"]

  • Decreased respiratory effort, bilateral crackles: Reduced respiratory effort following opioid administration suggests opioid-induced respiratory depression. Crackles may indicate early airway compromise due to poor ventilation or fluid accumulation, requiring immediate intervention to support breathing.
  • Somnolent: Somnolence beyond expected postoperative drowsiness, especially in combination with other signs of opioid overdose, indicates central nervous system depression. The client is difficult to arouse, raising concern for airway and breathing compromise.
  • Pinpoint pupils: Pinpoint pupils are a hallmark sign of opioid toxicity. In the setting of recent morphine administration and accompanying respiratory depression, this finding confirms that opioid overdose is likely occurring and must be treated promptly.
  • Respiratory rate 10/min: A respiratory rate under 12 breaths per minute following opioid administration is a major red flag for opioid-induced respiratory depression. Immediate action is needed to prevent further decline in respiratory status, including potential use of naloxone.
  • Blood pressure 98/58 mm Hg: The client’s blood pressure has dropped significantly compared to the earlier reading, suggesting opioid-related hypotension. While not yet critically low, the trend combined with other overdose signs indicates instability needing close monitoring and intervention.
  • Heart rate 58/min: Although the client is bradycardic, this alone is not the most urgent issue compared to respiratory depression and neurological decline. It should still be monitored closely, but it is less immediately life-threatening than the airway and breathing concerns.
  • Temperature 37.4° C (99.4° F): This temperature is within normal range and does not require follow-up. There are no indications of infection or thermoregulatory issues based on the current temperature.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "I have switched from tobacco cigarettes to electronic cigarettes.": Although electronic cigarettes may reduce exposure to certain harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, they still pose significant health risks. This change does not reflect truly limiting risky behavior but rather substituting one form of risk for another.

B. "Sometimes I am exposed to toxic chemicals at my workplace, but not any that have harmed me.": Exposure to toxic chemicals, even without immediate harm, still represents ongoing risk. A proactive approach would involve using protective equipment or seeking safer work conditions.

C. "Two of my grandparents had diabetes, so I try to eat a healthy diet.": Actively modifying diet in response to a family health history shows a positive, preventative approach and reflects conscious efforts to limit risk-taking behaviors and promote long-term health.

D. "My job and home life are both very stressful, but I haven't been able to do anything about that.": Chronic unmanaged stress is a health risk, and acknowledging stress without taking steps to manage it indicates that the client is not effectively limiting risk behaviors.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Pain radiating down the left arm: Pain radiating to the left arm is more commonly associated with myocardial infarction (heart attack), not a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It indicates cardiac ischemia rather than a temporary disruption in cerebral blood flow.

B. Seizure activity: Seizures are not characteristic of transient ischemic attacks. While seizures can occur after significant brain injury such as a stroke, TIAs typically present with focal neurological deficits that resolve quickly without leading to seizure activity.

C. Sudden loss of vision in one eye: A sudden, temporary loss of vision in one eye (amaurosis fugax) is a classic sign of a TIA. It reflects temporary ischemia in the retinal or cerebral blood vessels and warrants immediate medical evaluation to prevent a full-blown stroke.

D. Epigastric pain: Epigastric pain is usually related to gastrointestinal issues such as gastritis, ulcers, or gallbladder disease. It is not indicative of a transient ischemic attack and would not typically be prioritized in assessing for neurological compromise.

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