A nurse is caring for an infant who has coarctation of the aorta.
Which of the following should the nurse identify as an expected finding?
Frequent nosebleeds
Upper extremity hypotension
Weak femoral pulses.
Increased intracranial pressure
The Correct Answer is C
This is because coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition where the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts. This causes a decrease in blood flow to the lower body, resulting in weak or absent pulses in the femoral arteries.
The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
- Choice A, frequent nosebleeds, is not a typical sign of coarctation of the aorta.
Nosebleeds can be caused by many factors, such as dry air, allergies, trauma, or bleeding disorders.
- Choice B, upper extremity hypotension, is also not a common finding in coarctation of the aorta. In fact, patients with this condition may have high blood pressure in the upper extremities due to the increased resistance of the narrowed aorta.
- Choice D, increased intracranial pressure, is not directly related to coarctation of the aorta.
Increased intracranial pressure can be caused by various conditions that affect the brain, such as head injury, stroke, infection, or tumor.
Normal ranges for blood pressure and pulse vary depending on age, sex, and health status.
However, some general guidelines are:
- Blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg for adults; less than 95/65 mmHg for infants.
- Pulse: 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults; 100 to 160 beats per minute for infants.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- Answer and explanation.
The correct answer is choice A. Increased Hct.
Hct stands for hematocrit, which is the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood.
A client who received 2 units of packed RBCs should have an increased Hct because they have more RBCs in their blood volume. The normal range for Hct is 38% to 50% for males and 36% to 44% for females.
Choice B is wrong because decreased Hgb means decreased hemoglobin, which is the protein that carries oxygen in the RBCs.
A client who received 2 units of packed RBCs should have an increased Hgb because they have more hemoglobin in their blood. The normal range for Hgb is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for males and 12 to 15.5 g/dL for females.
Choice C is wrong because increased platelets means increased thrombocytes, which are the cells that help with blood clotting.
A client who received 2 units of packed RBCs should not have an increased platelet count because they did not receive platelets in the transfusion. The normal range for platelets is 150,000 to 400,000/mm^3.
Choice D is wrong because decreased WBC count means decreased leukocytes, which are the cells that fight infection and inflammation.
A client who received 2 units of packed RBCs should not have a decreased WBC count because they did not receive WBCs in the transfusion. The normal range for WBC count is 4,500 to 11,000/mm^3.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Evaluate the client’s ability to help with repositioning.
This is because the nurse should assess the client’s level of mobility, strength, and coordination before repositioning them to prevent injury and promote comfort.
The nurse should also use appropriate assistive devices, such as a drawsheet, a trapeze bar, or a mechanical lift, to facilitate safe repositioning and reduce the risk of skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.
Choice A is wrong because raising the side rails on both sides of the client’s bed during repositioning can increase the risk of falls and entrapment.
The nurse should only raise the side rail on the opposite side of the bed from where they are working and lower it when they are done.
Choice B is wrong because repositioning the client without assistive devices can cause strain and injury to both the nurse and the client.
The nurse should use assistive devices that are appropriate for the client’s condition and weight.
Choice C is wrong because discussing the client’s preferences for determining a repositioning schedule is not a priority action when preparing to reposition a client who had a stroke.
The nurse should follow the facility’s protocol for repositioning frequency, which is usually every 2 hours, and adjust it according to the client’s needs and comfort.
The nurse should also involve the client in the care plan and respect their preferences whenever possible.
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