The nurse assesses an adult client 24 hours following abdominal surgery and finds the client's blood pressure is 98/40 mm Hg. The client is tachycardiac, restless, and irritable. Which action should the nurse perform first?

Ensure the IV solution is infusing at the prescribed rate.

Listen to lung sounds.

Notify the healthcare provider of the findings.

Check under the back for evidence of bleeding.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Ensuring that the IV solution is infusing at the prescribed rate is an important task to maintain adequate fluid and electrolyte balance, especially if the client is experiencing signs of shock or low blood pressure. However, this action alone does not address the immediate need to assess or intervene for potential critical issues such as bleeding or severe hemodynamic instability.
B.   Listening to lung sounds can help assess for pulmonary complications, such as fluid accumulation or atelectasis, which can be relevant postoperatively. However, in the context of hypotension, tachycardia, and altered mental status, the priority is to address potential critical issues related to circulatory stability and bleeding.
C.   It is essential to inform the healthcare provider of the client's condition, but this should be done after initial interventions to stabilize the client. This action is necessary but not the first priority.
D.   The first action should be to check for any signs of bleeding, especially after abdominal surgery where internal bleeding is a possibility.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Range of motion exercises are important for overall mobility and prevention of complications from immobility. However, they can increase cardiac workload, especially if performed actively and without supervision.
B. Ambulation, or walking in the hallway, increases cardiac workload and can exacerbate symptoms in a client with unstable angina. This activity should be minimized or restricted until the client's condition stabilizes. The focus should be on reducing activities that put additional stress on the heart.

C. Using a bedside commode helps reduce the need for the client to walk to the bathroom, which can be physically demanding and increase cardiac workload. By minimizing the effort required for toileting, the client can avoid unnecessary physical strain.
D. Sleeping in a side-lying position is not directly related to reducing cardiac workload. The client's position during sleep generally does not have as significant an impact on cardiac workload as other interventions.

A. Vomiting B. Altered blood coagulation C. Visual disturbances D. Drowsiness E. Aphasia F. Ataxia

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","F"]

Explanation

A. Vomiting is not a common side effect of phenytoin but could occur in some patients. It’s more likely a
reaction to the medication rather than a frequent side effect.
B. Phenytoin can affect blood coagulation. It may interfere with vitamin K metabolism, which can alter coagulation pathways and increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. Monitoring for signs of bleeding or changes in clotting status is important, particularly in patients on long-term therapy.
C. Visual disturbances, including nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), double vision, or blurred vision, can occur with phenytoin use. This side effect is related to the medication’s impact on the nervous system.
D. Drowsiness is a common side effect of many antiepileptic drugs, including phenytoin. It can affect the client’s alertness and overall level of consciousness, making it important for the nurse to monitor and address any related safety concerns.
E. Aphasia, or difficulty with language and speech, is not a typical side effect of phenytoin. While phenytoin affects the central nervous system, aphasia is not commonly reported with its use.
F. Ataxia, or lack of coordination and unsteady movements, is a known side effect of phenytoin. This occurs due to its effects on the nervous system and can impair motor skills and coordination.

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The nurse assesses an adult client 24 hours following abdominal surgery and finds the client's blood pressure is 98/40 mm Hg. The client is tachycardiac, restless, and irritable. Which action should the nurse perform first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with coronary artery disease is hospitalized with unstable angina. To reduce cardiac workload, which intervention should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Exhibits The healthcare provider comes to the bedside following the seizure and prescribes phenytoin. The nurse administers the phenytoin as prescribed. Which possible side effect(s) of phenytoin should the nurse assess for after administration? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","F"]

Explanation

The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of the incentive spirometer implemented in the client's plan of care. Which outcome statement best describes the effectiveness of the incentive spirometer?

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