The nurse is caring for a client who has had an upper G.I. endoscopy. The client's vital signs must be taken every 30 minutes for two hours after the procedure. The nurse assigns an unlicensed assistant to take the vital signs. Two hours later, the assistant reports to client who was previously afebrile has now developed a temperature of 101.8°F. What should the nurse do in response to this reported data by the unlicensed assistant?

Promptly assess the client for a potential perforation

Tell the assistant to change thermometers and retake the temperature

Plan to give the client acetaminophen the lower temperature

Ask the assistant to bathe the client with tap water

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. A fever following an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can be a sign of a serious complication, such as perforation, which could cause peritonitis. The nurse should promptly assess the client for other signs of perforation, such as abdominal pain, rigidity, or changes in vital signs. This is a critical and potentially life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.
B. While it is important to ensure accurate temperature readings, a fever of 101.8°F in a post-procedural patient is concerning and warrants further investigation rather than just retaking the temperature. It may indicate a complication such as infection or perforation.
C. Administering acetaminophen to reduce the fever is not the first step. The nurse should prioritize investigating the underlying cause of the fever, as it could indicate a more serious complication like perforation, which would not be resolved by medication alone.
D. Bathing the client with tap water is not appropriate. A fever after a procedure should be investigated thoroughly rather than treated symptomatically without understanding the cause. The nurse should focus on assessing for complications first.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["0.5"]

Explanation

Number of tablets = Desired dose (mg) / Tablet strength (mg/tablet)

In this case:

Desired dose = 25 mg

Tablet strength = 50 mg/tablet

Plugging the values into the formula:

Number of tablets = 25 mg / 50 mg/tablet = 0.5 tablets

A. Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic to prevent infection. B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately and wait for further instructions. C. Obtain a culture specimen of the drainage, apply a sterile dressing over the site, and monitor for any signs of infection. D. Remove the sutures immediately to prevent further drainage.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic is not the first action in this case. The first priority is to assess the situation and obtain a culture of the drainage to identify any infection before initiating antibiotics.
B. While notifying the healthcare provider is important, it is more important to take an initial action by obtaining a culture specimen. Waiting without taking action could delay appropriate care.
C. The best first action is to obtain a culture of the drainage to identify any potential infection, apply a sterile dressing, and continue to monitor the site for further signs of infection. Culturing the drainage helps guide the appropriate treatment.
D. Removing the sutures is not the appropriate action. The sutures should not be removed unless there is clear indication, as this could disrupt the integrity of the catheter placement.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is preparing to administer atenolol 25 mg PO every 12 hr. The amount available is atenolol 50 mg/tab. How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Correct Answer is ["0.5"]

Explanation

The nurse is changing the subclavian dressing of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition. When assessing the catheter insertion site, the nurse noticed the presence of a yellow drainage from around the sutures that are anchoring the catheter. Which actions should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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