In providing care to a patient who sustained left sided 10th through 12th rib fractures, the nurse notes Kehr's Cullen's and Gray Turner's signs during assessment. Which abdominal organ is most likely to be affected by this trauma?
Intestines
Liver
Spleen
Stomach
The Correct Answer is C
A) Intestines:
While abdominal trauma can affect the intestines, Kehr's sign, Cullen's sign, and Gray Turner's sign are more commonly associated with damage to the spleen rather than the intestines. Kehr's sign, in particular, is a hallmark of splenic injury, with pain referred to the left shoulder due to diaphragmatic irritation from blood in the peritoneum.
B) Liver:
Liver injuries often present with right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes. While liver injuries can cause internal bleeding, Cullen's and Gray Turner's signs are more closely associated with retroperitoneal bleeding from the spleen rather than liver injuries. Kehr's sign, which is left-sided shoulder pain, would not typically indicate a liver injury.
C) Spleen:
The spleen is the most likely abdominal organ affected in this case due to the left-sided rib fractures. When the spleen is injured (often as a result of blunt trauma), it can cause intraperitoneal hemorrhage. This bleeding can irritate the diaphragm, leading to Kehr's sign, which presents as left shoulder pain. Additionally, Cullen's sign (periumbilical bruising) and Gray Turner's sign (flank bruising) are indicative of retroperitoneal bleeding, which can occur with splenic rupture or laceration.
D) Stomach:
While stomach injuries can occur with blunt abdominal trauma, they are less likely to cause the signs and symptoms seen in this patient (Kehr's, Cullen's, and Gray Turner's signs). Stomach trauma typically leads to pain and potential perforation, but it doesn't often cause the peritoneal bleeding patterns seen with splenic injuries.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Mask-like face and shuffling gait:
While the mask-like face and shuffling gait are common clinical features of Parkinson's Disease (PD), they do not directly explain the fever or the patchy infiltrates seen on the chest x-ray. The mask-like face is due to reduced facial muscle activity and is associated with the motor symptoms of PD, while the shuffling gait results from bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
B) Lack of arm swing and bradykinesia:
Lack of arm swing and bradykinesia are motor symptoms of PD that are indicative of decreased movement and muscle rigidity. While they impact a patient’s mobility and dexterity, they are not directly associated with lung infiltrates or fever.
C) Pill rolling of fingers and flat affect:
Pill rolling (a characteristic tremor where patients move their fingers as if rolling a pill) and flat affect (a reduced emotional expression) are hallmark features of Parkinson's Disease, but again, they do not explain the fever or lung infiltrates.
D) Difficulty swallowing and immobility:
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a common and serious symptom in patients with Parkinson's Disease. Due to the loss of control over the muscles involved in swallowing, patients with PD are at high risk for aspiration (food, liquids, or saliva entering the lungs), which can lead to aspiration pneumonia. This condition often presents with fever, chest infiltrates, and respiratory distress, which directly correlates with the patient's fever and lung infiltrates seen on the chest x-ray.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Take the prescribed anticoagulant specifically as directed:
Clients with mechanical heart valves are at an increased risk of developing blood clots, and therefore, anticoagulation therapy (often warfarin or another blood thinner) is necessary to prevent thromboembolic events. It is essential for the client to take the prescribed anticoagulant exactly as directed, ensuring therapeutic levels are maintained while minimizing the risk of bleeding.
B) Stop taking your antihypertensive medications until checking:
This instruction is not appropriate after heart surgery. Antihypertensive medications are typically necessary to manage blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart. Stopping antihypertensive medications without consulting the healthcare provider could result in elevated blood pressure, which can put undue stress on the heart, especially after valve replacement surgery.
C) Avoid lifting objects ten pounds or greater for two days:
This statement is not appropriate for a client who has undergone open heart surgery. After heart surgery, particularly valve replacement, the client may be advised to avoid lifting heavy objects for a period of time (often 4-6 weeks) to prevent strain on the incision site and the heart. Two days of restriction is insufficient; longer periods of activity limitation are usually required to ensure proper healing.
D) Take your immunosuppressive medications daily in the morning:
Immunosuppressive medications are not typically prescribed for clients with mechanical heart valves. Immunosuppressive drugs are usually prescribed for clients who have had organ transplants (e.g., kidney, liver) to prevent organ rejection. Since the client in this scenario had a mitral valve replacement, immunosuppressants are not usually indicated unless there are specific complications, such as endocarditis or other infections.
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