An 80-year-old client is diagnosed with pneumonia. Which of the following symptoms may appear first?
Altered mental status and dehydration
Hemoptysis and dyspnea
Pleuritic chest pain and hypertension
Fever and chills
The Correct Answer is D
A. While altered mental status can occur in older adults with pneumonia, especially due to hypoxia or infection, it is often a result of more advanced disease or complications rather than an early symptom. Dehydration can also occur but is not a direct symptom of pneumonia.
B. Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is not a common early symptom of pneumonia, especially in older adults. Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) may occur, but it generally arises as the pneumonia worsens. These symptoms might not be the first to present.
C. Pleuritic chest pain (pain upon breathing) can be associated with pneumonia but is not necessarily an early symptom, especially in the elderly. Hypertension may be present but is not a hallmark of pneumonia and can vary widely among patients.
D. Fever and chills are common initial symptoms of pneumonia and are part of the body’s response to infection. In elderly patients, fever may sometimes be less pronounced or atypical, but it is still one of the first signs of pneumonia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This finding can occur with circulatory issues but is not a classic symptom of a hip fracture itself. A cool extremity may indicate vascular compromise, which is less common immediately after a hip fracture and more concerning for a potential complication, such as compartment syndrome.
B. Similar to cool extremities, absent pedal pulses suggest a significant vascular problem and are not typical for a straightforward hip fracture. While this can indicate serious complications, it is not a common presentation immediately following a hip fracture.
C. Misalignment or deformity of the leg is a classic symptom of a fractured hip. The affected leg may appear shorter and externally rotated. This misalignment is often one of the first observable signs that healthcare providers look for during the assessment.
D. Hypotension can occur due to various reasons, including pain, dehydration, or blood loss, but it is not a direct symptom of a fractured hip. While it could be present in some cases, it is not the most characteristic finding associated with hip fractures.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While changes in breathing patterns can indicate airway obstruction, snoring alone is not the most specific indicator of a complication after tonsillectomy. It could indicate swelling or an obstructed airway but does not specifically indicate bleeding.
B. Checking the mucous membranes for moisture is important in general nursing care to assess hydration status. However, it is not the most immediate priority in the post-tonsillectomy setting, where the primary concern is to monitor for bleeding.
C. Assessing pain is important for overall patient comfort and to evaluate the effectiveness of pain management strategies. However, pain alone does not directly indicate a complication like bleeding, which is a critical concern in this scenario.
D. Continuous swallowing can be an early sign of bleeding after tonsillectomy, as patients may swallow frequently to clear blood from the throat. If a patient is swallowing more often than normal, it could indicate that they are swallowing blood, which would require immediate intervention.
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