A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following cardiac surgery. Which of the following manifestations should indicate to the nurse that the client has developed a thrombus?

Positive Kernig's sign

Dull, aching calf pain

Soft, pliable calf muscle

Positive Homan's sign

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : B,D

A. Positive Kernig's sign:

Positive Kernig's sign is associated with meningitis, not thrombosis. It is a clinical sign where pain is elicited when the hip is flexed at a 90-degree angle and then the knee is extended. This sign is not relevant for identifying a thrombus.

B. Dull, aching calf pain:

Dull, aching calf pain is a common symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Pain, swelling, and tenderness in the calf are typical manifestations of a thrombus in the leg veins. This symptom should alert the nurse to the possibility of a thrombus.

C. Soft, pliable calf muscle:

A soft, pliable calf muscle is not indicative of a thrombus. In the case of DVT, the affected leg is usually swollen, firm, and tender. Thus, this manifestation does not suggest the presence of a thrombus.

D. Positive Homan's sign:

Positive Homan's sign is identified when there is pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot. This sign can be indicative of DVT. Although not highly specific or sensitive, it is one of the traditional signs used to assess for the presence of a thrombus in the leg.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) S3 heart sounds:
S3 heart sounds are typically associated with heart failure and are not directly related to premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). S3 heart sounds occur during the early diastolic phase and are heard immediately after S2.

B) Irregular pulsations:
This is the correct choice. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can cause irregular pulsations in the pulse. PVCs are premature contractions originating from the ventricles, which can interrupt the normal rhythm of the heart and lead to irregularities in the pulse.

C) Bradycardia:
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can lead to various rhythm disturbances, but bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not typically associated with PVCs. In fact, PVCs often occur in the context of tachycardia (rapid heart rate).

D) Increase in point of maximum impulse (PMI):
An increase in the point of maximum impulse (PMI) is not typically associated with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The PMI refers to the location where the apex of the heart is palpated during systole and is not directly affected by PVCs.

A. "I’ll breathe deeply and cough every 4 hours." B. "I’ll splint my incision with a pillow to cough." C. " I’ll start to use the incentive spirometer when I can get out of bed." D. " I’ll lie flat in bed to cough and deep breath."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

(A) "I’ll breathe deeply and cough every 4 hours."
Deep breathing and coughing exercises should be done more frequently, typically every 1-2 hours while awake, to help prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.

(B) "I’ll splint my incision with a pillow to cough."
This statement indicates an understanding of the instructions. Splinting the incision with a pillow helps support the surgical site, reduces pain, and makes coughing more effective and less uncomfortable. This technique is important for clients to use to help clear secretions from the lungs postoperatively.

(C) "I’ll start to use the incentive spirometer when I can get out of bed."
The use of an incentive spirometer should begin as soon as possible, usually while the client is still in bed, to encourage deep breathing and prevent postoperative respiratory complications. It should not be delayed until the client can get out of bed.

(D) "I’ll lie flat in bed to cough and deep breathe."
Lying flat is not the optimal position for deep breathing and coughing exercises, as it can make it more difficult to fully expand the lungs. The client should be positioned with the head of the bed elevated or sitting up to facilitate better lung expansion and more effective coughing.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following cardiac surgery. Which of the following manifestations should indicate to the nurse that the client has developed a thrombus?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving continuous cardiac monitoring that is indicating premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect when assessing the client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is preoperative following abdominal surgery about deep breathing and coughing exercises. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse an understanding of the instructions?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is assisting with the care of a client 2 hr postoperative following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is caring for a client who is at the end of life and is experiencing dyspnea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is collecting data from a client prior to administering a calcium channel blocker (CCB) for treatment of hypertension. For which of the following findings should the nurse contact the provider?

A nurse is collecting data from a newborn who has respiratory distress syndrome and is experiencing respiratory acidosis. Which of the following risk factors predisposes the newborn to respiratory difficulties?

A nurse is assisting with a presentation on health promotion activities for clients who have hypertension. Which of the following should the nurse utilize as a resource for this information?

A nurse is collecting research to revise the protocol for specimen collection on their unit. From which of the following sources should the nurse retrieve the information?

A nurse is giving change-of-shift report using the SBAR technique about a client who has a traumatic brain injury. When reporting information about the client, which of the following should the nurse include in the situation segment of SBAR?