An adult male was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer three weeks ago.
His wife approaches the nurse and asks how she will know that her husband's death is imminent because their two adult children want to be there when he dies.
Which is the best response by the nurse?
Gather information regarding how long it will take for the children to arrive.
Explain that the client will start to lose consciousness and the body systems will slow down.
Offer to discuss the client's health status with each of the adult children.
Reassure the spouse that the healthcare provider will notify when to call the children.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice B rationale:
Explaining that the client will start to lose consciousness and the body systems will slow down is the best response. This is a common pattern in the dying process, and it provides the wife with a clear and compassionate explanation of what to expect as her husband's death approaches.
Choice A rationale:
Gathering information regarding how long it will take for the children to arrive is important but does not address the immediate need for information on the dying process.
Choice C rationale:
Offering to discuss the client's health status with each of the adult children is a good approach for involving them in their father's care but does not provide the immediate information the wife is seeking.
Choice D rationale:
Reassuring the spouse that the healthcare provider will notify when to call the children does not offer information about the dying process itself, which is what the wife is interested in understanding.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is the correct answer because BUN and creatinine are the most important laboratory values to monitor for nephrotoxicity, which is the damage or injury to the kidneys caused by certain drugs or chemicals.
Nephrotoxicity can impair the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood, resulting in elevated levels of BUN and creatinine. The normal range for BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL, and for creatinine is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL. The practical nurse (PN) should review these values before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, vancomycin, or sulfonamides. The PN should also monitor the client for signs and symptoms of nephrotoxicity, such as decreased urine output, edema, hypertension, fatigue, nausea, and confusion.
a) Serum calcium
This is not the correct answer because serum calcium is not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Serum calcium is the amount of calcium in the blood, which is important for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. The normal range for serum calcium is 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL. Serum calcium may be affected by kidney disease, but it is not a reliable indicator of nephrotoxicity.
b) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
This is not the correct answer because hemoglobin and hematocrit are not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. The normal range for hemoglobin is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men and 12 to 15.5 g/dL for women, and for hematocrit is 38.8 to 50% for men and 34.9 to 44.5% for women.
Hemoglobin and hematocrit may be affected by kidney disease, but they are not reliable indicators of
nephrotoxicity.
c) White blood cell count (WBC)
This is not the correct answer because WBC is not directly related to nephrotoxicity. WBC is the number of white blood cells in the blood, which are part of the immune system and fight infections. The normal range for WBC is 4,500 to 10,000 cells per microliter of blood. WBC may be elevated in response to an infection or inflammation, but it is not a reliable indicator of nephrotoxicity.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale: While monitoring temperature is important for a client with meningitis to track the resolution of infection, it is not a prerequisite for administering penicillin. It does not prevent life-threatening complications.
Choice B rationale: Assessing the level of consciousness is a critical part of the neurological assessment for meningitis. However, it is not the specific priority action required before administering a first dose of an antibiotic.
Choice C rationale: Penicillin carries a high risk of anaphylaxis. The nurse must verify the client's allergy history to ensure safety, as a previous reaction to penicillin or cephalosporins could lead to a fatal allergic response.
Choice D rationale: While cultures must be obtained before starting antibiotics, this question specifies the provider has already ordered the medication for an identified organism (Streptococcus pneumoniae), implying the diagnostic cultures have already been completed.
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