A nurse is caring for a client who reports vomiting and diarrhea for the past 6 hours. The nurse should identify that which of the following assessments is the priority?
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds.
Measure the client's temperature.
Check the client's urine specific gravity.
Obtain the client's serum potassium level.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D.
Choice A rationale:
“Auscultate the client’s bowel sounds.” While auscultating bowel sounds can provide information about the client’s gastrointestinal function, it is not the priority assessment for a client who has been vomiting and experiencing diarrhea for the past 6 hours.
Choice B rationale:
“Measure the client’s temperature.” Measuring the client’s temperature can help identify if the client has an infection, which could be causing the vomiting and diarrhea. However, it is not the priority assessment in this situation.
Choice C rationale:
“Check the client’s urine specific gravity.” Checking the client’s urine specific gravity can provide information about the client’s hydration status. However, it is not the priority assessment for a client who has been vomiting and experiencing diarrhea for the past 6 hours.
Choice D rationale:
“Obtain the client’s serum potassium level.” This is the correct answer. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can lead to significant loss of electrolytes, including potassium. A low potassium level (hypokalemia) can have serious effects, including cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, obtaining the client’s serum potassium level is the priority assessment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Request crutches from a medical equipment provider. This choice is not appropriate for a client with left-sided weakness due to a stroke. Crutches are primarily used for lower extremity support and would not address the client's mobility and safety needs related to their left-sided weakness.
Choice B rationale:
Advise the client to install grab bars in the bathroom at home. This is the correct choice. Installing grab bars in the bathroom will enhance the client's safety and independence. Left-sided weakness can result in balance issues, and having grab bars near the toilet and in the shower can help prevent falls and provide the client with support while using these facilities. This intervention promotes the client's functional autonomy and reduces the risk of injury.
Choice C rationale:
Encourage the client to allow a home care aide to perform ADLs for them. While it might be necessary for a client with severe disability to receive assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), the question does not provide enough information to suggest that the client's condition warrants this level of intervention. Encouraging independence is generally preferred to maintain the client's self-esteem and engagement in daily life activities.
Choice D rationale:
Contact hospice to provide follow-up care for the client. Hospice care is intended for clients with terminal illnesses who are in the final stages of life. A client who has had a stroke and is experiencing left-sided weakness does not automatically qualify for hospice care. The client's condition can be managed with rehabilitation and support, and hospice care is not appropriate in this context.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Reminding the staff members that viewing the electronic medical record of a celebrity client without proper authorization is a breach of confidentiality is the immediate action required in this situation. It addresses the ethical and legal concerns related to patient privacy and ensures that the staff members are reminded of their professional responsibilities.
Choice B rationale:
Discussing the issue with the nurse manager is a step that can be taken after addressing the immediate breach of confidentiality. While involving the manager is important for handling the situation more comprehensively, the first priority is to stop the unauthorized access.
Choice C rationale:
Requesting an administrative restriction on the client's record access is an option that can be considered, but it may not be the first step to take. Before implementing such a restriction, the breach of confidentiality should be addressed directly with the staff members involved.
Choice D rationale:
Preparing a memo for the facility ethics committee is not the initial action to take in response to the breach of confidentiality. This step might be appropriate for addressing systemic issues or policy changes related to confidentiality breaches, but it doesn't directly address the immediate situation at hand.
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