A nurse is participating in the care plan for a patient with an intestinal obstruction who is undergoing continuous gastrointestinal decompression using a nasogastric tube.
What interventions should the nurse include in the care plan?
Daily measurement of abdominal girth.
Maintenance of the patient in Fowler’s position.
Moistening the patient’s lips with lemon glycerin swabs.
Use of sterile water to irrigate the nasogastric tube.
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A rationale
Daily measurement of abdominal girth is crucial in patients with an intestinal obstruction undergoing continuous gastrointestinal decompression. This is because any changes in the abdominal girth can indicate an improvement or worsening of the obstruction. Regular monitoring allows for timely intervention and adjustment of the care plan.
Choice B rationale
Maintaining the patient in Fowler’s position can help promote the drainage of gastric contents via the nasogastric tube. This position, where the patient is seated in bed at an angle of 45-60 degrees, uses gravity to assist in the drainage process, thereby potentially alleviating discomfort and reducing the risk of aspiration.
Choice C rationale
Moistening the patient’s lips with lemon glycerin swabs is not recommended. While it’s important to keep the patient’s lips moist to prevent dryness and cracking due to the nasogastric tube, lemon glycerin swabs can potentially dry out the lips more and cause irritation.
Choice D rationale
Using sterile water to irrigate the nasogastric tube is a standard practice in managing patients with a nasogastric tube. This helps ensure the patency of the tube and prevent blockages, allowing for effective gastrointestinal decompression.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Irrigating the nasogastric tube with tap water is not recommended. Tap water is not sterile and can introduce bacteria into the stomach, potentially causing infection.
Choice B rationale
Marking abdominal girth once daily is not sufficient for a client who is postoperative following peritoneal lavage for peritonitis. This client is at risk for complications such as abscess formation and bowel obstruction, which can cause rapid changes in abdominal girth. Therefore, abdominal girth should be measured more frequently.
Choice C rationale
Placing the client in a high Fowler’s position is the correct intervention. This position, which involves the client sitting up at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees, can help reduce pressure on the abdominal area, promote better lung expansion, and facilitate drainage of gastric contents, thus reducing the risk of aspiration.
Choice D rationale
Ambulating the client twice daily is not appropriate in this case. The client has just undergone a major abdominal surgery and has a nasogastric tube and closed-suction drains in place. Early ambulation may not be feasible due to the risk of dislodging the drains or causing pain and discomfort.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A decrease in systolic blood pressure is not a physiological change that increases the risk of dehydration in older adults.
Choice B rationale
An increase in saliva production does not occur with aging and does not increase the risk of dehydration.
Choice C rationale
An increase in the percentage of body water does not occur with aging. In fact, total body water decreases with age, which can contribute to an increased risk of dehydration.
Choice D rationale
A decrease in kidney function is a common physiological change that occurs with aging. This can lead to a decreased ability to concentrate urine and conserve water, increasing the risk of dehydration.
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