An 84-year-old client has been admitted to the emergency department from an extended care facility. The facility staff suspect pneumonia and it is noted that the client has a productive cough, shortness of breath, and abnormal breath sounds. The nurse assesses the client's vital signs and notes an oral temperature of 97.5°F. How should the nurse interpret this assessment finding?

The client's infection is no longer localized and has become systemic.

The client likely has a cardiac health problem, not a respiratory health problem.

The client's signs and symptoms are related to hypothermia rather than infection.

The client's normothermic temperature does not rule out the presence of an infection.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Systemic infection can cause fever, but older adults often present with atypical signs, including a lack of fever, rather than the classic response.
B. The presence of a productive cough, abnormal breath sounds, and shortness of breath suggests a respiratory infection rather than a cardiac issue.
C. While older adults may be more susceptible to hypothermia, the client’s symptoms align with infection rather than hypothermia.
D. "The client's normothermic temperature does not rule out the presence of an infection" is correct because older adults may have a blunted febrile response to infection due to age-related changes in thermoregulation. An absence of fever does not exclude infection in elderly patients.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Malignancy can cause abdominal pain, but it does not typically present with acute sharp pain and involuntary guarding.
B. Aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms, may present with a pulsatile mass and deep, dull pain rather than sharp pain and guarding.
C. Hernias can cause pain, but they typically present with a bulging mass that increases with straining, not sharp pain with reflex guarding.
D. Peritonitis is correct because it causes severe abdominal pain, involuntary guarding, and rebound tenderness due to inflammation of the peritoneum. Reflex guarding is a protective mechanism indicating peritoneal irritation.

A. A 3-year-old child with fever, rash, and sore throat. B. A 45-year-old man with chest pain and diaphoresis for 1 hour. C. A 14-year-old girl who is crying because she thinks she is pregnant. D. A 20-year-old man with a 3-inch shallow laceration on his leg.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. A 3-year-old with fever, rash, and sore throat should be evaluated promptly, but these symptoms do not necessarily indicate an immediate life-threatening emergency.
B. A 45-year-old man with chest pain and diaphoresis for 1 hour is the priority because these are classic symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or myocardial infarction (MI). Immediate emergency assessment and intervention are required.
C. A 14-year-old girl crying about a possible pregnancy needs emotional support and counseling but does not require immediate emergency intervention.
D. A 20-year-old man with a 3-inch shallow laceration on his leg needs wound care, but his condition is not life-threatening and does not require emergency assessment.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While assessing a client's abdomen, the nurse observes sharp pains and involuntary reflex guarding on expiration. What complication does the nurse suspect based on these findings?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is working in an ambulatory care clinic that is located in a busy, inner-city neighborhood. Which client would the nurse determine to be in most need of an emergency assessment?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. When planning the client's care, the nurse should be aware of what function of the colon?

While the nurse is assessing a client's gastrointestinal system, the nurse's findings are unremarkable and the client denies complications. How would the nurse best document the subjective portion of the assessment?

A client complains of shortness of breath and having to sleep on three pillows to breathe comfortably at night. During the nurse's examination, what findings will suggest that the cause of this client's dyspnea is due to a heart condition rather than respiratory disease?

The nurse is providing health education to an elderly client with dysphagia following a recent ischemic stroke. What would be most appropriate for the nurse to include in the education?

The nurse has completed the comprehensive health assessment of a client who has been admitted for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Following the completion of this assessment, why does the nurse periodically perform a partial assessment of the client?

A nurse is preparing to examine the chest, extremities, and peripheral pulses of a client who has low back pain. What is the best position to place this client in to assure they are comfortable for the exam?

An older adult client has presented to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of dehydration. When assessing the client for risk factors that may have contributed to this condition, what question should the nurse prioritize?

A nursing student correctly describes a risk diagnosis by which of the following statements?