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.

Nursing Test Bank

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Tympany upon chest percussion is typically associated with the presence of air, such as in cases of pneumothorax or gastric distention. It is not a typical finding in pneumonia.
B. Unequal pupils (anisocoria) are not a common symptom of pneumonia and may indicate a neurological issue rather than a respiratory infection.
C. Hypertension is not a characteristic finding in community-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia may cause changes in blood pressure, but hypotension or normal blood pressure is more likely.
D. Confusion is a common finding in older adults with pneumonia. This can be due to factors such as hypoxia, dehydration, or infection-related changes in mental status, often referred to as "pneumonia delirium" or "acute confusion." Older adults are particularly susceptible to cognitive changes due to infection.

A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing. B. Encourage the client to ambulate frequently. C. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake. D. Encourage regular use of the incentive spirometer.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing is important for promoting the clearance of respiratory secretions. However, while it aids in mobilizing secretions, it does not directly thin the mucus.
B. Frequent ambulation helps to improve overall lung function and prevent complications like pneumonia, but it does not specifically thin respiratory secretions.
C. Increasing fluid intake helps thin the respiratory secretions by providing hydration, making it easier for the body to expel mucus through coughing. Hydration is critical for reducing the viscosity of sputum, thus promoting its removal.
D. Regular use of the incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis and improve lung expansion but does not directly affect the thinning of respiratory secretions.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in the emergency department is assessing an older adult client who has community-acquired pneumonia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to promote thinning of respiratory secretions?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which of the following statements about strictureplasty is correct?

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.)

A client diagnosed with ulcerative colitis has a new ileostomy. Which statement indicates the client needs more teaching concerning the ileostomy?

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with pneumonia. Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select All that Apply.)

A client comes to the clinic complaining of dysphagia and states that "he feels like food is stuck in his throat." The physician suspects esophageal cancer. Which of the following is a risk factor for esophageal cancer?

A nurse is assessing a client and discovers the infusion pump with the client's total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution is not infusing. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following conditions?

A nurse in a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is assessing a client who has a newly created colostomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A nurse is teaching student nurses about different types of medical conditions that affect the gastrointestinal system, when a student asks her about the cause of esophageal varices. What is an appropriate answer by the nurse when asked about a potential cause of esophageal varices?