The patient is a 49-year-old male who has been experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever and chest congestion, for 4 days.

He came to the emergency department (ED) last night when his breathing difficulties increased. He has a history of smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years.

He has no significant medical or surgical history.

Which two orders should the nurse prioritize?

Chest x-ray

Run 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour

Sputum culture

Start oxygen 3 L/minute via nasal cannula

Start a peripheral IV

Acetaminophen 350 mg PO every 6 hours for temperature greater than 38.3° C .

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B

Choice A rationale
A chest x-ray is a critical diagnostic tool for a patient presenting with flu-like symptoms, fever, chest congestion, and increased breathing difficulties. It can help identify conditions such as pneumonia or other lung diseases, which could be causing the patient’s symptoms.
Choice B rationale
While hydration is important, running a 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour is not the most immediate need for this patient. The patient’s symptoms are primarily respiratory, and there is no indication of dehydration.
Choice C rationale
A sputum culture could be useful for diagnosing bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. However, it is not the most immediate need for this patient, as the results of a culture test can take time to come back.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Given the patient’s increased breathing difficulties, starting oxygen therapy can help improve the patient’s oxygen levels and ease their breathing.
Choice E rationale

Starting a peripheral IV might be necessary for administering medications or fluids, but it is not the most immediate need in this scenario.
Choice F rationale
While controlling the patient’s fever is important, it is not as immediate a need as performing a chest x-ray and starting oxygen therapy.

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Offering the client oral fluids is important for hydration, but it may not be appropriate for all patients, especially those with certain medical conditions or those who are NPO (nothing by mouth)7.
Choice B rationale

Feeding the client a snack can help maintain energy levels, but it may not be appropriate for all patients, especially those with dietary restrictions or those who are NPO7.
Choice C rationale
Assessing breath sounds is an important part of respiratory assessment, but it is not typically within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). This task should be performed by a licensed nurse.
Choice D rationale
Emptying the urinary drainage bag is an appropriate task for a UAP to perform each time the client is turned. This helps ensure accurate measurement of urinary output and prevents infection by keeping the bag below the level of the bladder.

A. One positive response indicates the patient should seek help with alcohol addiction. B. All responses to the CAGE Questionnaire must be positive to suggest alcohol dependence. C. The CAGE Questionnaire is a tool used to identify general substance abuse. D. At least two positive responses are strongly suggestive of alcohol dependence.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While any positive response on the CAGE questionnaire could be a cause for concern and warrant further investigation, one positive response does not definitively indicate that the patient should seek help with alcohol addiction. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool used to identify potential problems with alcohol, but it is not diagnostic. A healthcare provider would need to conduct a more thorough assessment to diagnose alcohol addiction.
Choice B rationale
It is not necessary for all responses to the CAGE questionnaire to be positive in order to suggest alcohol dependence. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool, and while a greater number of positive responses increases the likelihood of alcohol dependence, it is not a requirement for all responses to be positive. A score of two or more is considered clinically significant.

Choice C rationale
The CAGE questionnaire is indeed a tool used to identify potential problems with alcohol, but it is not used to identify general substance abuse. The CAGE questionnaire specifically asks about feelings related to alcohol use. There are other screening tools available that are designed to identify issues with other substances.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. The CAGE questionnaire is a validated screening tool that is widely used in clinical settings to detect alcoholism. It is considered positive, and suggestive of alcohol dependence, if two or more questions are answered affirmatively.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse instructs an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to turn an immobilized older client with an indwelling urinary catheter every two hours. What additional action should the nurse instruct the UAP to perform each time the client is turned?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The patient provides three positive responses to items on the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) query. What interpretation should the nurse provide to the patient?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been taking pregabalin for the past four days. Which finding would indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?

A client with gout in the left great toe has received a prescription for prednisone 30 mg by mouth to be administered each day. Which symptom is most important for the client to report to the healthcare provider?

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with acute gastritis caused by drinking contaminated water. The nurse should emphasize the need to report the onset of which problem?

A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the hospital reporting auditory hallucinations. Which query is most important for the nurse to include in the client’s assessment?

The nurse identifies an electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, and a weight gain of 4.4 lbs (2 kg) in 24 hours in a client with hepatic failure. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?

When formulating a nursing care plan for a client diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which nursing problem should be given the highest priority?