A nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from an above-the-knee amputation and reports pain in the limb that was removed. How would the nurse respond?

Choice A reason: Placing the client in a high-Fowler position may improve breathing but does not assess the cause of shortness of breath. Post-femur repair, pulmonary embolism (PE) is a risk due to fat emboli or thromboembolism, requiring objective data like oxygen saturation first.
Choice B reason: New-onset shortness of breath and tachypnea post-femur repair suggest possible pulmonary embolism or fat embolism syndrome. Documenting oxygen saturation provides objective data to assess hypoxia severity, guiding urgent interventions and communication with the healthcare provider for suspected life-threatening conditions.
Choice C reason: Starting oxygen therapy assumes hypoxia without confirmation. While it may be needed, assessing oxygen saturation first ensures the intervention is appropriate. Unwarranted oxygen administration could delay critical diagnostic steps for conditions like pulmonary embolism, which require anticoagulation or other therapies.
Choice D reason: Contacting the provider is important but secondary to assessing oxygen saturation, which provides critical data to report. Without objective findings, the nurse cannot convey the urgency or specifics of the client’s condition, potentially delaying life-saving interventions for suspected embolism.

Choice A reason: Stopping antibiotics when symptoms resolve risks incomplete bacterial eradication, leading to recurrent or resistant otitis media. Antibiotics must be taken for the full course to ensure all pathogens (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae) are eliminated, preventing chronic infection or complications.
Choice B reason: Sharing antibiotics with siblings is dangerous, as it may lead to incorrect dosing, inappropriate treatment, or antibiotic resistance. Each child requires a specific prescription based on their condition, weight, and bacterial susceptibility, making this an unsafe practice.
Choice C reason: Giving antibiotics with milk may reduce absorption for some drugs (e.g., amoxicillin), as calcium can bind to certain antibiotics, decreasing bioavailability. This statement indicates a misunderstanding, as water is typically recommended to ensure optimal drug absorption.
Choice D reason: Administering the full course of antibiotics ensures complete eradication of bacteria causing otitis media, preventing recurrence or resistance. This reflects proper understanding, as completing the prescribed regimen targets pathogens like Haemophilus influenzae, ensuring effective treatment and reducing complication risks.