During the admission assessment, a client admitted with chest pain reports having no breathing problems and no trouble sleeping at night. To obtain further data regarding possible orthopnea, which action should the nurse take?
Observe for jugular vein distention while the client is flat in bed.
Measure the blood pressure when the client is lying and standing.
Auscultate breath sounds while the client is supine.
Ask the client how many pillows are used to sleep on at night.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Observe for jugular vein distention while the client is flat in bed: While jugular vein distention can indicate fluid overload or heart failure, it is not a direct assessment of orthopnea, which is the difficulty breathing while lying flat.
B) Measure the blood pressure when the client is lying and standing: This action assesses for orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure upon standing. While orthostatic hypotension can contribute to symptoms of dizziness or fainting upon assuming an upright position, it does not directly assess orthopnea.
C) Auscultate breath sounds while the client is supine: Auscultating breath sounds while the client is supine can provide information about lung function and the presence of abnormal breath sounds, but it does not specifically address orthopnea.
D) Ask the client how many pillows are used to sleep on at night: Orthopnea is a condition in which individuals have difficulty breathing while lying flat and may need to sleep with multiple pillows or in a more upright position to alleviate symptoms. Therefore, asking the client about the number of pillows used for sleep can provide valuable information about the presence and severity of orthopnea.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
Answer: C. Age when the client started smoking.
Knowing when the client began smoking is essential for determining the total duration of smoking. This information allows the nurse to calculate how long the client has been exposed to tobacco, which is critical for assessing potential health risks associated with their smoking history.
D. Packs of cigarettes smoked per day.
This information is crucial as it directly contributes to the calculation of pack years. Understanding how many packs the client smokes each day helps quantify their level of tobacco exposure. For instance, smoking one pack per day for ten years results in ten pack years, while two packs per day over the same period would lead to twenty pack years.
E. Number of years the client smoked.
This detail is necessary to determine the total duration of the smoking habit. The total number of years smoked, combined with the daily pack consumption, provides a comprehensive view of the client's smoking history. It allows the nurse to assess the cumulative risk associated with long-term tobacco use, which is important for evaluating the client’s health and potential interventions.
Rationale for Options Not Selected:
A. Number of attempts to quit smoking.
While this information can provide insight into the client's motivation and efforts to quit, it is not relevant for calculating pack years. Pack years focus specifically on the amount and duration of smoking, rather than attempts to quit, which may be useful in assessing readiness for cessation interventions but does not factor into the calculation of exposure.
B. Client's current age.
Although the client's age can provide context regarding their smoking history, it is not necessary for the actual calculation of pack years. Instead, it is the age when the client started smoking, along with the total years smoked and the number of packs smoked per day, that are critical for this specific assessment. The current age is not needed to compute pack years directly.
Summary of Calculation:
To calculate pack years, use the formula:
- Pack Years = (Number of packs smoked per day) × (Number of years smoked)
For example, if a client smoked 1 pack per day for 20 years, they would have 20 pack years. If they smoked 2 packs a day for the same period, that would equate to 40 pack years. This measurement is essential for understanding the health risks associated with smoking and guiding further assessment and intervention strategies.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Normal mental status for age: This response would suggest that the client's cognitive functions are appropriate for her age and educational background, which is not the case here. The response to the proverb "Glass Houses" indicates a lack of understanding or incorrect interpretation, which is not consistent with normal mental status.
B) Impaired memory: Impaired memory would typically manifest as difficulty recalling past events, recent information, or specific details. The client's response to the proverb does not indicate a memory problem but rather a difficulty in interpreting abstract concepts.
C) Impaired concentration: Impaired concentration would usually be indicated by the client's inability to focus on the conversation, becoming easily distracted, or having trouble maintaining attention. The client’s response to the proverb suggests more of a cognitive processing issue rather than an attention issue.
D) Impaired thinking: This is the most accurate conclusion. The client's response to the proverb "Glass Houses" ("It will break the windows") suggests difficulty with abstract thinking and interpreting common proverbs. Proverbs are often used to assess abstract thinking and reasoning abilities. A correct response would typically relate to the proverb's intended meaning about hypocrisy or not criticizing others when you have faults yourself, indicating that the client might have issues with abstract reasoning and impaired thinking.
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