The nurse receives physician orders for a client who has a suspected small bowel obstruction. Which order(s) should be followed? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)
Measure abdominal girth every shift.
Diet: Soft.
0.9% NSS 1000 mL at 125 mL/hr.
Morphine 1 mg IV every 4 hours as needed for abdominal pain.
Correct Answer : A,C,D
Choice A rationale
Measuring abdominal girth every shift helps monitor for increased abdominal distension, which can indicate worsening bowel obstruction or potential complications such as bowel perforation or ischemia. Regular monitoring is crucial to detect changes early.
Choice B rationale
A soft diet is inappropriate for someone with a suspected bowel obstruction, as solid foods can exacerbate the blockage. The standard recommendation is usually to keep the patient NPO (nothing by mouth) to prevent further obstruction.
Choice C rationale
Administering 0.9% NSS at 125 mL/hr helps maintain adequate hydration and electrolyte balance, which is vital in a patient with a bowel obstruction who cannot take oral fluids. This intervention prevents dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Choice D rationale
Morphine for pain management is appropriate as it helps alleviate severe abdominal pain associated with bowel obstruction. However, its use should be monitored carefully, as opioids can reduce gastrointestinal motility and potentially worsen the obstruction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Withholding food and fluids is essential to prevent complications should surgery be needed.
Choice B rationale
Administering prophylactic IV antibiotics helps prevent infection, which is critical in cases of appendicitis.
Choice C rationale
Applying heat to the abdomen can increase circulation and the risk of rupture in appendicitis.
Choice D rationale
Administering an enema can increase the risk of perforation in appendicitis.
Choice E rationale
Ambulation can exacerbate pain and the risk of rupture in a client with suspected appendicitis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Increasing the IV fluid flow rate is a critical task requiring clinical judgment and should not be delegated to an unlicensed nursing assistant. This task involves assessing the patient's hemodynamic status and fluid balance, which requires nursing expertise.
Choice B rationale
Listening to breath sounds in all lung fields is an assessment task that requires nursing knowledge and skills. It involves identifying normal and abnormal breath sounds, which is outside the scope of practice for an unlicensed nursing assistant.
Choice C rationale
Checking the abdominal dressing for bleeding is an assessment and monitoring task. It involves evaluating the wound site for signs of hemorrhage or infection, which requires nursing assessment skills.
Choice D rationale
Documenting the amount of output on the I&O sheet is a task that can be delegated to an unlicensed nursing assistant. This task involves recording measurements, which does not require clinical judgment and is within the assistant's scope of practice.
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