The community health nurse is performing a home visit for a 74-year-old client recovering from hip surgery. The nurse notes that the client seems uncharacteristically confused at times and has dry mucous membranes. The client states to stop drinking water early in the day because it's just too difficult to get up during the night to go to the bathroom. What would be the nurse's best response?

You need to have your medications adjusted so you need to be admitted to the hospital for a complete workup.

You build up too much urine in your bladder, which can cause you to get confused.

Dehydration can cause changes that can result in confusion, so let's try to increase your fluid intake.

Urinary tract infections are common and can cause confusion, so it's important not to urinate at night.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: This is not the best response because it is alarmist and does not address the client's concern. The nurse should not assume that the client needs to have their medications adjusted or be admitted to the hospital without further assessment.

Choice B reason: This is not the best response because it is inaccurate and does not explain the link between urine retention and confusion. The nurse should not imply that the client is causing their own confusion by not drinking enough water.

Choice C reason: This is the best response because it is accurate and educates the client on the effects of dehydration on the body. The nurse should encourage the client to drink more fluids throughout the day and offer strategies to make it easier for them to access the bathroom at night.

Choice D reason: This is not the best response because it is irrelevant and does not address the client's dehydration. The nurse should not suggest that the client has a urinary tract infection without evidence or testing. The nurse should also not discourage the client from urinating at night, as this can lead to other complications.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Slowing the rate to 50 mL/hr is not an appropriate action by the nurse before calling the physician to clarify the order. This could cause the client to become more hypovolemic, which is a condition where there is a decreased volume of blood in the body. Hypovolemia can lead to shock, organ failure, and death.

Choice B reason: Slowing the rate to 20 mL/hr is not an appropriate action by the nurse before calling the physician to clarify the order. This could also cause the client to become more hypovolemic, which is a serious and life-threatening condition. The nurse should not reduce the IV fluid rate without a physician's order.

Choice C reason: Increasing the rate to 250 mL/hr is not an appropriate action by the nurse before calling the physician to clarify the order. This could cause the client to become more hypervolemic, which is a condition where there is an excess of fluid in the blood vessels. Hypervolemia can cause fluid overload, pulmonary edema, and heart failure.

Choice D reason: Continuing the rate at 125 mL/hr is an appropriate action by the nurse before calling the physician to clarify the order. This is a reasonable rate for a client who has a head injury and hypovolemia, as it can help restore the fluid balance and prevent cerebral edema. The nurse should not change the IV fluid rate without a physician's order.

A. Peripheral edema B. Bradycardia C. Hypertension D. Decreased urine output

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is not a correct finding for hypovolemia. Peripheral edema is the swelling of the extremities due to fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces. It is a sign of fluid volume excess, not fluid volume deficit.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct finding for hypovolemia. Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats per minute. It is not a typical sign of fluid volume deficit, as the heart rate usually increases to compensate for the low blood pressure and low cardiac output.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct finding for hypovolemia. Hypertension is a high blood pressure, usually above 140/90 mmHg. It is not a typical sign of fluid volume deficit, as the blood pressure usually decreases due to the reduced blood volume and vascular resistance.

Choice D reason: This is a correct finding for hypovolemia. Decreased urine output is a sign of fluid volume deficit, as the kidneys try to conserve water and electrolytes by reducing the urine production. The normal urine output is about 30 mL per hour, and anything below 20 mL per hour is considered oliguria, which indicates impaired renal function.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who sustained a head injury and hypovolemia. The nurse notes the client's IV fluids are infusing at 125 mL/hr. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse before calling the physician to clarify the order?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing hypovolemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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