The nurse is providing care for a client with a bowel obstruction who had a transverse colostomy created. Which observation requires immediate notification of the primary health care provider?

Stoma is beefy red and shiny.

Purple discoloration of the stoma.

Skin excoriation around the stoma.

Semiformed stool noted in the ostomy pouch.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: A beefy red, shiny stoma is normal, indicating healthy tissue perfusion. Purple discoloration suggests ischemia, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t require immediate notification compared to the nurse’s priority of reporting a potentially life-threatening stoma complication to the provider.

Choice B reason: Purple discoloration of the stoma indicates potential ischemia or necrosis, a serious complication requiring immediate provider notification. This aligns with colostomy care priorities, making it the correct observation for the nurse to report promptly to prevent further tissue damage or obstruction.

Choice C reason: Skin excoriation around the stoma is concerning but less urgent than purple discoloration, which signals ischemia. This is incorrect, as it can be managed with barrier creams, unlike the nurse’s priority of addressing a critical stoma issue requiring immediate intervention.

Choice D reason: Semiformed stool in the ostomy pouch is expected post-colostomy and not alarming. Purple discoloration is critical, making this incorrect, as it’s a normal finding compared to the nurse’s need to notify the provider about a potentially ischemic stoma.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Assessing blood pressure monitors fluid overload but doesn’t immediately reduce respiratory strain. Elevating the head of the bed improves breathing, making this incorrect, as it’s less urgent than the nurse’s first action to prevent harm from fluid overload.

Choice B reason: Measuring intake and output tracks fluid balance but is less immediate than elevating the bed to ease breathing. This is incorrect, as it delays the nurse’s priority action to alleviate respiratory distress in a client with suspected fluid overload.

Choice C reason: Elevating the head of the bed is the first action to reduce respiratory distress in fluid overload by decreasing venous return. This aligns with acute care priorities, making it the correct action to prevent harm in the client with suspected hypervolemia.

Choice D reason: Checking for dependent edema confirms fluid overload but doesn’t address immediate respiratory risks. Elevating the bed is urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s secondary to the nurse’s first action to improve breathing in the fluid-overloaded client.

A. Place the client on a cardiac monitor. B. Notify the primary health care provider (PHCP). C. Put the client on NPO (nothing by mouth) status except for ice chips. D. Review the client’s medications to determine whether any contain or retain potassium. E. Allow an extra 500 mL of intravenous fluid intake to dilute the electrolyte concentration.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: A potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L risks lethal arrhythmias, necessitating cardiac monitoring. This aligns with hyperkalemia management, making it a correct priority action the nurse would plan to ensure the client’s safety and detect cardiac changes promptly.

Choice B reason: Notifying the provider is critical for a potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L, as urgent interventions like insulin or dialysis may be needed. This aligns with acute care protocols, making it a correct priority action for the nurse to address hyperkalemia.

Choice C reason: NPO status with ice chips is unrelated to hyperkalemia management, which focuses on lowering potassium. Cardiac monitoring is a priority, making this incorrect, as it’s not relevant to the nurse’s urgent actions for a client with severe hyperkalemia.

Choice D reason: Reviewing medications identifies potassium-containing or retaining drugs, preventing further elevation of 7.0 mEq/L. This aligns with hyperkalemia treatment, making it a correct priority action the nurse would plan to manage the client’s electrolyte imbalance effectively.

Choice E reason: Extra IV fluids (500 mL) may dilute potassium but risk fluid overload in acute kidney injury. Notifying the provider is more urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s not a priority compared to the nurse’s focus on immediate hyperkalemia interventions.

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The nurse is providing care for a client with a bowel obstruction who had a transverse colostomy created. Which observation requires immediate notification of the primary health care provider?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which action will the nurse perform first to prevent harm for a client suspected to have fluid overload?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with acute kidney injury has a serum potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L (7.0 mmol/L). The nurse would plan which actions as a priority? (Select all that apply)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

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