A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery with an external fixator to the left tibia.
Which of the following assessment findings requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
The client's capillary refill in the left toe is 6 seconds.
The client reports a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10 at the operative site.
The client has an oral temperature of 38.3° C (100.9° F).
The client has 100 mL of blood in the closed-suction drain.
The Correct Answer is A
“The client’s capillary refill in the left toe is 6 seconds.” Capillary refill time is the time it takes for blood to return to the capillaries after pressure has been applied to the skin.
A normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds.
A capillary refill time of 6 seconds indicates poor blood flow to the left toe and requires immediate intervention by the nurse.
Choice B is not the correct answer because while a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10 at the operative site is concerning, it does not require immediate intervention by the nurse.
Choice C is not the correct answer because an oral temperature of 38.3° C (100.9° F) is only slightly elevated and does not require immediate intervention by the nurse.
Choice D is not the correct answer because while 100 mL of blood in a closed-suction drain may be concerning, it does not necessarily require immediate intervention by the nurse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
“I should expect less than 25 mL of secretions per day in the drainage devices.” After a mastectomy with breast reconstruction using a tissue expander, you may go home with drains in your chest to remove extra fluid.
Choice A is wrong because performing strength-building arm exercises using a 15-pound weight is not recommended.
Choice B is wrong because waiting 2 months before additional saline can be added to the breast expander is not accurate.
Choice C is wrong because keeping the left arm flexed at the elbow as much as possible is not recommended.
Correct Answer is {"xRanges":[101.765625,141.765625],"yRanges":[263.609375,303.609375]}
Explanation
A pericardial friction rub is highly specific for acute pericarditis and is generally heard over the left sternal border.
It is often louder at inspiration but sometimes can be better heard on forced expiration while the patient bends forward.
Choice A is not the answer because it does not correspond to the left sternal border.
Choice B is not the answer because it does not correspond to the left sternal border.
Choice D is not the answer because it does not correspond to the left sternal border.
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