Which method is best for the nurse to use in determining early development of ascites?

Inspection of the abdomen for enlargement,

Palpation of an abdominal fluid wave.

Bimanual palpation for liver enlargement.

Successive measurements of abdominal girth.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Inspection of the abdomen for enlargement: Ascites causes abdominal distention. Inspection is a straightforward way to assess for fluid accumulation.

B. Palpation of an abdominal fluid wave: Palpating for a fluid wave (shifting of fluid within the abdomen) is a classic sign of ascites.

C. Bimanual palpation for liver enlargement: While liver enlargement can contribute to ascites, it is not the primary method for detecting early ascites.

D. Successive measurements of abdominal girth: Regular measurements of abdominal girth help track changes over time and detect early ascites.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Listen for abnormal sounds. Before identifying abnormal sounds, it's essential to first establish a baseline by identifying the normal heart sounds (S1 and S2).

B. Identify S1 and S2 heart sounds. This is the correct first step in a systematic assessment of heart sounds. S1 ("lub") corresponds to the closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid), while S2 ("dub") corresponds to the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic).

C. Move the stethoscope to the apical site. While the apical site is important for auscultating specific heart sounds, it's best to first identify S1 and S2 at the traditional auscultatory areas (aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid, and mitral).

D. Change to the bell of the stethoscope. The bell of the stethoscope is used to listen for lower-pitched sounds, but it's not typically used for identifying S1 and S2 heart sounds, which are higher-pitched.

A. Apply a pulse oximeter to the foot B. Draw arterial blood gases. C. Obtain a capillary blood glucose. D. Provide blow by oxygen.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A: Apply a pulse oximeter to the foot. Continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation can help detect hypoxemia early, which can be a concern in post-term infants due to potential respiratory distress or meconium aspiration. However, while important, this is a monitoring measure and not an immediate corrective action for potential metabolic or respiratory issues directly associated with post-term birth.

B: Draw arterial blood gases. Arterial blood gases (ABGs) provide critical information about the newborn's acid-base balance, oxygenation, and ventilation status. Post-term infants are at risk for hypoxia and acidosis, often due to placental insufficiency or meconium aspiration. However, obtaining ABGs can be invasive and might not be the first-line immediate action unless there are signs of severe distress.

C: Obtain a capillary blood glucose. Post-term infants are at increased risk for hypoglycaemia due to increased glucose utilization and possible depletion of glycogen stores. Hypoglycaemia can lead to serious complications if not promptly identified and managed. Therefore, checking blood glucose levels is a critical, non-invasive, and immediate step to ensure metabolic stability and prevent complications such as seizures and brain injury.

D: Provide blow-by oxygen. Blow-by oxygen is used to provide supplemental oxygen in a non-invasive manner and can help in cases of mild respiratory distress. Post-term infants can be at risk for respiratory issues, including meconium aspiration syndrome. However, this is usually applied when there is evidence of respiratory distress and not as a routine measure without specific indications.

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Which method is best for the nurse to use in determining early development of ascites?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse prepares to begin a systematic assessment of a client's heart sounds. Upon positioning the stethoscope as seen in the picture, which should the nurse do first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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