During an abdominal assessment, a client with a temperature of 103° F (39.4° C) experiences pain and abruptly stops inhaling during deep palpation. Which prescription is most important for the nurse to implement?

Initiate NPO status.

Restrict activity to bed rest.

Monitor urinary output.

Obtain an electrocardiogram.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Initiate NPO status: The client's sudden cessation of breathing during deep palpation of the abdomen suggests peritoneal irritation, which could be indicative of a serious condition such as appendicitis or peritonitis. Initiating NPO (nothing by mouth) status is crucial in case emergency surgery is required to address the underlying abdominal pathology. NPO status helps prevent complications such as aspiration if surgery becomes necessary.

B) Restrict activity to bed rest: While bed rest may be indicated for certain abdominal conditions to reduce discomfort and prevent exacerbation of symptoms, it is not the most immediate priority in this scenario. The priority is addressing the potential need for emergency surgery and ensuring the client's safety.

C) Monitor urinary output: Monitoring urinary output is important for assessing hydration status and renal function, but it is not the most critical intervention in this scenario where peritoneal irritation is suspected.

D) Obtain an electrocardiogram: While an electrocardiogram (ECG) may be warranted in certain situations, such as if the client is experiencing chest pain or symptoms suggestive of cardiac involvement, it is not indicated as the most immediate action in this scenario of acute abdominal pain and potential peritoneal irritation.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Neurological status intact: While the findings suggest that the client's neurological status is intact, this description does not specifically address the pupillary assessment.

B) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15: The Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates a client's level of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses. While the findings may contribute to an overall assessment of neurological function, they specifically pertain to pupillary assessment.

C) Pupils equal, round, reacts to light, and accommodation (PERLA): This description includes accommodation, which is the ability of the pupils to constrict when focusing on a near object. The assessment provided in the scenario does not mention accommodation testing, so including it in the documentation would be inaccurate.

D) Pupils equal, round, reacts to light (PERRL): This notation accurately summarizes the findings of the pupillary assessment. It indicates that both pupils are equal in size, round in shape, and react briskly to light, which is a normal finding. This documentation is concise and specific to the pupillary examination without including additional findings not assessed in the scenario.

A. Obese, serious threat to well-being. B. Appropriate weight for height, good general health. C. Extreme obesity, at risk for multiple co-morbidities. D. Undernutrition, at risk for malnutrition.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Obese, serious threat to well-being: A BMI of 32 kg/m² places the client in the category of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Obesity is a significant health concern associated with increased risks for various conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. The client's BMI indicates that she is obese, which poses a serious threat to her overall well-being and health.

B) Appropriate weight for height, good general health: This is incorrect because a BMI of 32 kg/m² does not fall within the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². The client is not at an appropriate weight for her height and is not considered to be in good general health based on this BMI.

C) Extreme obesity, at risk for multiple co-morbidities: While a BMI of 32 kg/m² does indicate obesity, it does not reach the threshold for extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²). Therefore, the client is not categorized as extremely obese, although she is still at risk for several co-morbidities associated with obesity.

D) Undernutrition, at risk for malnutrition: This is incorrect because a BMI of 32 kg/m² is indicative of excess weight, not undernutrition or malnutrition. The client's BMI suggests an over-nutrition status rather than undernutrition.

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During an abdominal assessment, a client with a temperature of 103° F (39.4° C) experiences pain and abruptly stops inhaling during deep palpation. Which prescription is most important for the nurse to implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should the nurse use when documenting the assessment?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is assessing a young adult female who is 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) and has a body mass index (BMI) score of 32 kg/m2. Based on this BMI, what should the nurse deduce about this client's general health? Reference Range: Body Mass Index (BMI) [Normal 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2]

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse should anticipate difficulty locating the point of maximal impulse (PMI) in which client? Reference Range: Body mass index (BMI) Normal or healthy weight (18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2)]

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