A nurse is providing teaching to a patient with chronic venous insufficiency. Which of the following should be included in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
Walking is contraindicated and bed rest as much as possible is recommended
Dangle" legs on the side of the bed several times per day
Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods
Elevate legs above heart level for 20-30 minutes. 4-5 times per day
Use compression stockings to decrease swelling
Correct Answer : C,D,E
A) Walking is contraindicated and bed rest as much as possible is recommended:
. Walking is actually highly recommended for patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Gentle, regular physical activity, such as walking, helps improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood pooling in the lower extremities. Bed rest is not typically recommended unless the patient has severe symptoms like ulcers or active infection. In fact, staying active can promote better venous return and prevent worsening of CVI.
B) Dangle legs on the side of the bed several times per day:
. Dangling the legs can exacerbate venous stasis (blood pooling in the veins), which worsens symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Instead of dangling the legs, patients should focus on elevating the legs to reduce swelling and improve venous return. Dangle the legs only if advised by a healthcare provider for specific reasons, such as short periods of time to encourage blood flow after immobility.
C) Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods:
. One of the key recommendations for managing chronic venous insufficiency is to avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Remaining in one position for too long can cause blood to pool in the lower extremities, leading to increased swelling, pain, and discomfort. It’s important to encourage frequent position changes and movement, such as standing up or walking around if sitting, or sitting down to rest if standing for prolonged periods.
D) Elevate legs above heart level for 20-30 minutes, 4-5 times per day:
. Elevating the legs above heart level is a key intervention for patients with chronic venous insufficiency. This helps reduce swelling by promoting venous return and decreasing the pressure in the veins. Elevating the legs for 20-30 minutes, several times a day (4-5 times) can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications, such as ulcers and skin changes.
E) Use compression stockings to decrease swelling:
. Compression stockings are a cornerstone of managing chronic venous insufficiency. They help improve venous return, prevent blood from pooling in the lower legs, and reduce swelling. The stockings should be properly fitted and worn throughout the day (except when sleeping) to provide continuous support and minimize the risk of complications associated with CVI, such as venous ulcers.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) "I will notify my doctor before taking any other medications:"
Phenytoin interacts with many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. It is crucial for the client to inform their doctor before starting any new medications, including herbal supplements, as phenytoin may have significant drug interactions that could alter its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.
B) "I should talk to my doctor about other methods of contraception in addition to my current oral contraceptives:"
Phenytoin can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, leading to an increased risk of unintended pregnancy. It is important for clients to discuss alternative or additional methods of contraception, such as non-hormonal methods or alternative hormonal birth control, with their healthcare provider to prevent pregnancy while taking phenytoin.
C) "I'll be glad when I can stop taking this medicine after my seizures are controlled:"
Phenytoin is typically a lifelong medication for managing seizures, even if the seizures are well-controlled. Stopping the medication without a doctor's approval can lead to seizure recurrence. Seizure control does not always mean stopping medication, and clients need to understand the importance of continuing the prescribed treatment regimen, even after achieving stability.
D) "I have made an appointment to see my dentist next week:"
Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, which increases the need for regular dental checkups. It is recommended that clients taking phenytoin see a dentist regularly to manage this potential side effect and maintain oral health.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) "Complete blood count (CBC)":
. A CBC can provide important information about the patient's overall health, including potential signs of infection, anemia, or other underlying conditions. However, in the context of acute neurological symptoms such as left-sided weakness, CT scan is the priority test because it will help quickly determine if there is an acute neurological event, such as a stroke or hemorrhage. While a CBC might be useful later to assess for underlying
conditions or potential causes, it is not the first test to perform in this scenario.
B) "Electroencephalogram (EEG)":
. An EEG is primarily used to diagnose and assess seizure activity or epileptic disorders. While seizures can cause neurological deficits, the patient's sudden onset of left-sided weakness is more suggestive of a stroke, not a seizure. The priority is to rule out stroke with a CT scan, not to assess for seizures with an EEG.
C) "Computed tomography (CT) scan":
. A CT scan is the first diagnostic test to perform in patients with acute neurological deficits such as sudden-onset weakness, especially when a stroke is suspected. A CT scan can quickly detect if the cause is an ischemic stroke (lack of blood flow due to a clot) or a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). Time is critical in the management of stroke, as early intervention with treatments like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) for ischemic stroke can greatly improve outcomes. The CT scan can help determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolysis or if other interventions are needed.
D) "Chest radiograph (chest x-ray)":
. While a chest x-ray can be useful for diagnosing respiratory issues, such as pneumonia or congestion, it is not helpful in evaluating the cause of acute neurological symptoms like left-sided weakness. The priority test is a CT scan to evaluate the brain and rule out conditions like stroke or hemorrhage, not a chest x-ray.
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