An adult female client, who is an office worker, comes to the occupational health dinic with an edematous right leg twice the size of the left leg. The client reports that she is otherwise healthy, smokes 2 packs of cigarettes a day, and takes birth control pills on a regular basis. Which initial nursing action should the occupational health nurse take?
Ask the client to rate her pain on a scale from 0 to 10.
Teach the client to keep the leg elevated
Treat with ice then apply an elastic bandage wrap.
Check the leg for warmth and erythema.
The Correct Answer is D
A. While pain assessment is important, it's not the priority in this situation. Pain can be present in various conditions, and it doesn't necessarily indicate DVT.
B. Elevating the leg can help reduce swelling but is not the initial action. The nurse needs to rule out a serious condition like DVT first.
C. Applying ice and an elastic bandage might be appropriate for some types of swelling but is not the correct initial action for a sudden, unilateral leg swelling.
D. The client presents with sudden, unilateral leg swelling, which is a red flag for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition that can lead to pulmonary embolism. Therefore, the nurse's priority is to assess for signs of inflammation, which are warmth and erythema.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Placing protective padding between the client and bed rails is a safety measure to prevent injury during a seizure. This action helps protect the client from head or body trauma if they hit the bed rails or any surrounding surfaces during the seizure.
B. Providing privacy is important for maintaining the client’s dignity during a seizure, but it is not the most immediate concern. The primary focus during a seizure should be on ensuring the client’s safety and monitoring the event. Privacy can be considered once the immediate safety and medical needs are addressed.
C. Observing the client's behavior during the seizure is essential for documentation and subsequent medical evaluation. It helps in identifying the type, duration, and characteristics of the seizure, which is crucial for diagnosis and treatment. However, observation alone does not address immediate safety needs or interventions required during the seizure.
D. Recording the client's level of consciousness after the seizure is important for assessing the postictal state and the extent of recovery. This information is valuable for understanding the impact of the seizure and guiding further medical care. However, during the seizure, immediate actions should focus on ensuring safety and managing the seizure itself.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This would indicate fluid volume deficit, not improvement. Increasing IV fluids should lead to a decrease in hematocrit, not an increase.
B. This is not a desired outcome for a patient with pancreatitis, as hyperglycemia is a common complication. The focus should be on maintaining stable blood glucose levels.
C. BUN is a marker of kidney function and hydration status. A decrease in BUN indicates improved renal perfusion, which is a therapeutic outcome of increasing IV fluids.
D. While a decrease in amylase is generally a good sign for pancreatitis, it is not a direct result of increasing IV fluids. Amylase levels decrease as the pancreatitis improves.
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