A nurse is planning care for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Collecting data from a client who reports unilateral calf pain when ambulating.
Taking a telephone prescription for a client who is to be transferred from PACU.
Reassuring the partner of a client who sustained a closed head injury.
Reinforcing a client's dressing on an above-the-knee amputation surgical site.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should prioritize collecting data from a client who reports unilateral calf pain when ambulating. This symptom could indicate the presence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the lower extremities. If left untreated, the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Immediate assessment is crucial to rule out DVT and provide appropriate interventions. The nurse should assess the client's calf for swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness and may also order diagnostic tests like a duplex ultrasound.
Choice B rationale:
Taking a telephone prescription for a client being transferred from the PACU is important but not the top priority in this situation. While timely transfer and adequate post-operative care are essential, addressing a client with unilateral calf pain and the potential for a DVT takes precedence due to the risk of a life-threatening complication.
Choice C rationale:
Reassuring the partner of a client who sustained a closed head injury is a compassionate action but should not be the first priority. The partner's emotional support can be provided once the immediate medical concerns have been addressed.
Choice D rationale:
Reinforcing a client's dressing on an above-the-knee amputation surgical site is important for the client's post-operative care, but it is not the highest priority when compared to the possibility of a DVT. The nurse should address the client's calf pain first and then attend to the dressing reinforcement.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Extreme thirst is not a typical finding in a client with hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is an electrolyte imbalance that can lead to symptoms like weakness and irregular heartbeats, but extreme thirst is not a direct result of low potassium levels.
Choice B rationale:
"Weak, irregular pulse" is the correct response. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, which may manifest as a weak, irregular pulse. Potassium plays a crucial role in maintaining the electrical activity of the heart, and low levels can disrupt normal heart rhythms.
Choice C rationale:
Hyperactive bowel sounds are not typically associated with hypokalemia. Instead, you might expect diminished or absent bowel sounds in severe cases due to muscle weakness.
Choice D rationale:
Hyperactive reflexes are not typically associated with hypokalemia. Instead, hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness and potentially even paralysis in severe cases.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice A: Dull, aching calf pain.
Choice A rationale:
Dull, aching calf pain is a common symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can occur postoperatively, especially after vascular surgery. This pain is often due to a blood clot forming in the deep veins of the leg.
Choice B rationale:
Positive Kernig's sign is associated with meningitis and not typically related to thrombus formation.
Choice C rationale:
Soft, pliable calf muscle is not indicative of a thrombus. A thrombus would more likely cause tenderness and swelling.
Choice D rationale:
Positive Homan's sign (pain in the calf upon dorsiflexion of the foot) can be an indicator of DVT, but it is less reliable than dull, aching calf pain.
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