The nurse is surprised to detect an elevated temperature (102 °F) in a patient scheduled for surgery. The patient has been afebrile and shows no other signs of being febrile. What is the first thing the nurse should do?

Validate the finding

Document the finding

Inform the surgeon

Inform the charge nurse

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Validate the finding:

Validating the finding involves rechecking the patient's temperature using a different thermometer or method to confirm the accuracy of the initial measurement. This step is crucial to rule out any potential errors or issues with the measurement.

B. Document the finding:

Once the finding has been validated and confirmed, the nurse should document the elevated temperature accurately in the patient's medical record. Documentation is essential for communication among the healthcare team and for tracking changes in the patient's condition over time.

C. Inform the surgeon:

If the elevated temperature is confirmed and the patient is scheduled for surgery, it is important to inform the surgeon promptly. The surgeon needs to be aware of any changes in the patient's health status that may impact the decision to proceed with the scheduled surgery.

D. Inform the charge nurse:

Informing the charge nurse may be appropriate, especially if there are specific protocols or procedures in place within the healthcare facility for addressing unexpected changes in a patient's condition. The charge nurse can provide guidance and coordinate appropriate actions.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Edema:

Edema refers to the presence of swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid. While the nurse can observe and measure edema, the sensation of swelling itself is subjective and based on the client's perception.

B. Heart Rate:

Heart rate is an objective measure of the number of heartbeats per minute. It can be measured and observed by the healthcare provider, making it an objective data point.

C. Chills

Subjective data refers to information that is based on the client's personal experiences, perceptions, and feelings. Chills, which describe a feeling of coldness often associated with shivering, are a subjective symptom that the client experiences.

D. Pallor:

Pallor refers to an unusually pale or white skin color. While the nurse can observe and assess the color of the skin, the client's perception of pallor is subjective.

A. An incident report was completed B. There were no injuries sustained C. The provider was notified D. An incident report was forwarded to risk management

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer: C

C. The provider was notified.The nurse should document objective facts, such as notifying the provider, in the client’s medical record. This ensures accurate communication about the client's condition and the steps taken after the fall.

Incorrect answers:

A."An incident report was completed."The completion of an incident report should not be documented in the medical record. Incident reports are internal documents used for quality improvement and risk management, and mentioning them in the medical record could make them discoverable in legal proceedings.

B."There were no injuries sustained."While documenting the client’s physical condition is appropriate, stating "no injuries sustained" might be premature or subjective. Instead, the nurse should record specific observations, such as "client denies pain" or "no visible signs of injury noted."

D."An incident report was forwarded to risk management.Referencing the incident report in the medical record is inappropriate. Incident reports are separate from the client’s medical record and should not be mentioned in the documentation.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse is surprised to detect an elevated temperature (102 °F) in a patient scheduled for surgery. The patient has been afebrile and shows no other signs of being febrile. What is the first thing the nurse should do?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is completing a client’s history and physical examination. Which of the following information should the nurse consider subjective data?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

By the second postoperative day, a client has not achieved satisfactory pain relief. Based on this evaluation, which of the following actions should the nurse take, according to the nursing process?

A nurse in the ER is caring for a patient who had fallen at home. She reviews the blood pressure reading of 160/80 mm Hg. The client denies any history of hypertension. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Ordered: furosemide (Lasix) 20mg Available: furosemide (Lasix) 2 mg/2 mL Administer: ____mL

A nurse performs an integumentary assessment of a client who has recently fallen and broken his leg. The nurse notes the skin coloring on the broken leg is bluish gray. What is the term for this change in skin color?

A nurse is assessing for cyanosis in a client who has dark skin. Which of the following sites should the nurse examine to identify cyanosis in this client?

A nursing student is preforming a head-to-toe assessment on his patient with a history of mitral regurgitation. Instead of hearing normal heart sounds the student hears a murmur. Which of the following best describes the sound of a heart murmur?

A nurse is preparing to measure a client’s level of oxygen saturation on a patient who has had a bilateral lower leg amputation. He noticed the patient’s hands are very edematous. The nurse should apply the pulse oximeter probe to which of the following locations?