The nurse is monitoring the status of a postoperative client in the immediate postoperative period. The nurse would become most concerned with which sign that could indicate an evolving complication?
A pulse of 86 beats/minute
Hypoactive bowel sounds in all 4 quadrants
Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
Increasing restlessness
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
A pulse of 86 beats per minute is within the normal range for adults (60-100 beats per minute) and does not typically indicate a postoperative complication. While it is important to monitor vital signs, this pulse rate alone is not concerning unless accompanied by other abnormal findings.
Choice B Reason:
Hypoactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants can occur after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia and the surgical procedure itself. While it is important to monitor bowel sounds, hypoactivity is not immediately concerning unless it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain or distention. Therefore, this finding alone does not indicate an evolving complication.
Choice C Reason:
A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg is within the normal range for adults and does not typically indicate a postoperative complication. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly, but this reading alone is not concerning unless there are significant changes or other abnormal findings.
Choice D Reason:
Increasing restlessness is a concerning sign in the immediate postoperative period. It can indicate several potential complications, including pain, hypoxia, or the onset of delirium. Restlessness may also be an early sign of shock or other serious conditions that require prompt intervention. Therefore, this symptom warrants further assessment and immediate attention to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Nonfat milk is generally considered safe for individuals with GERD. While full-fat dairy products can exacerbate GERD symptoms due to their high-fat content, nonfat milk does not have this effect. It is low in fat and unlikely to trigger acid reflux. Therefore, nonfat milk is not a food that needs to be avoided by someone with GERD.
Choice B Reason:
Apples are typically safe for individuals with GERD. In fact, non-citrus fruits like apples are often recommended as part of a GERD-friendly diet. They are low in acid and unlikely to cause reflux symptoms. Therefore, apples do not need to be avoided by someone with GERD.
Choice C Reason:
Chocolate is a common trigger for GERD symptoms. It contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach acid to escape into the esophagus and cause reflux. Additionally, chocolate is high in fat, which can further exacerbate GERD symptoms. Therefore, it is advisable for individuals with GERD to avoid chocolate to prevent worsening of their symptoms.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Continuing to monitor is the most appropriate action in this scenario. The patient has a regular heart rhythm and a heart rate of 60 beats per minute, which is within the normal range for sinus bradycardia. The PR interval is 0.20 seconds, which is at the upper limit of normal. The patient’s vital signs are stable, with a blood pressure of 118/68 mm Hg, a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute, and a temperature of 98.8°F (37°C). There are no signs of hemodynamic instability or symptoms that would necessitate immediate intervention. Therefore, ongoing monitoring is sufficient to ensure the patient’s condition remains stable.
Choice B Reason:
Administering clonidine is not appropriate in this situation. Clonidine is an antihypertensive medication that can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Given that the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate are within normal ranges, administering clonidine could potentially cause hypotension and bradycardia, leading to adverse effects. Therefore, clonidine is not indicated for this patient.
Choice C Reason:
Administering atropine is not necessary for this patient. Atropine is used to treat symptomatic bradycardia, where the heart rate is abnormally slow and causing symptoms such as dizziness, hypotension, or syncope. In this case, the patient’s heart rate is 60 beats per minute, which is within the normal range for sinus bradycardia, and there are no symptoms indicating the need for atropine. Therefore, atropine is not required.
Choice D Reason:
Administering digoxin is also not appropriate. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used to treat heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. It can slow the heart rate and increase the force of cardiac contractions. In this scenario, the patient does not have any indications for digoxin therapy, such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation, and their heart rate is already within the normal range. Therefore, digoxin is not indicated.
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