A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury and has absent bowel sounds in the lower abdominal quadrants. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
Place the client on clear liquids.
Perform a hemoccult blood test.
Insert a nasogastric tube.
Force the intake of fluids.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Placing the client on clear liquids might not be appropriate in this situation because absent bowel sounds in the lower abdominal quadrants could indicate a more serious gastrointestinal issue such as ileus or bowel obstruction. Clear liquids may exacerbate these conditions and are not sufficient to address the underlying problem. Therefore, this option is not recommended until the cause of absent bowel sounds is identified and addressed.
Choice B Reason:
Performing a hemoccult blood test is not directly relevant to the situation described. Hemoccult tests are used to detect occult (hidden) blood in stool, which can be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. While it's important to assess for gastrointestinal bleeding in some cases, absent bowel sounds in the lower abdominal quadrants suggest a more immediate concern related to gastrointestinal motility rather than bleeding. Therefore, this option is not the most appropriate action at this time.
Choice C Reason:
Inserting a nasogastric tube is the most appropriate action in this scenario. Absent bowel sounds in a client with a spinal cord injury can indicate neurogenic bowel dysfunction, which may lead to abdominal distention and discomfort. Inserting a nasogastric tube can help decompress the stomach and intestines, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration and providing relief from discomfort. It can also help manage gastrointestinal complications until further assessment and interventions can be implemented.
Choice D Reason:
Forcing the intake of fluids may not be appropriate without further assessment and could potentially worsen the client's condition if there is an underlying gastrointestinal issue leading to absent bowel sounds. Additionally, forcing fluids may not address the potential issue of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Dulaglutide is inappropriate. Dulaglutide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar control. It is not indicated for the management of neurogenic bladder or urinary incontinence.
Choice B Reason:
Montelukast sodium is inappropriate. Montelukast sodium is a medication primarily used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis by blocking leukotrienes, which are inflammatory substances that contribute to asthma and allergy symptoms. It is not indicated for the management of neurogenic bladder or urinary incontinence.
Choice C Reason:
Glatiramer acetate is inappropriate. Glatiramer acetate is a medication used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) by modulating the immune system. It is not indicated for the management of neurogenic bladder or urinary incontinence.
Choice D Reason:
Oxybutynin is appropriate. Oxybutynin is a medication commonly prescribed for the management of neurogenic bladder and urinary incontinence. It belongs to a class of medications called anticholinergics, which work by relaxing the bladder muscles and reducing bladder spasms. Oxybutynin helps control urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence associated with neurogenic bladder, including spasm-induced incontinence.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E","F"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Easily getting back to sleep after awakening is incorrect. This is not typically a manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea. Instead, individuals with OSA often experience fragmented sleep due to frequent awakenings caused by apnea episodes.
Choice B Reason:
Many episodes of apnea per night is correct. Yes, individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience many episodes of apnea (complete cessation of breathing) or hypopnea (partial obstruction of airflow) per night. These episodes can occur multiple times throughout the night, disrupting normal sleep patterns.
Choice C Reason:
Loud snort after breathing cessation is correct. This is a characteristic manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea. Individuals with OSA often make choking, snorting, or gasping sounds after a period of breathing cessation as they attempt to resume breathing.
Choice D Reason:
10 seconds or longer of breathing cessation is correct. Yes, breathing cessation episodes in obstructive sleep apnea typically last for 10 seconds or longer. These prolonged episodes of apnea contribute to oxygen desaturation and disrupted sleep.
Choice E Reason:
Daytime sleepiness is correct. Yes, daytime sleepiness is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Disrupted sleep patterns and frequent awakenings during the night can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and decreased alertness.
Choice F Reason:
Frequent, loud snoring is correct. Yes, frequent, loud snoring is a hallmark symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring occurs due to the partial obstruction of airflow in the upper airway during sleep.
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