While assessing a client, the nurse observes that the client has a frequent productive cough. What follow-up assessment should the nurse evaluate first?

Vital sign abnormalities.

Presence of peripheral edema.

White blood cell (WBC) count.

Sputum characteristics.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Vital sign abnormalities can provide critical information about the client's overall condition and help determine if there is an acute or chronic issue that needs to be addressed. While important, this assessment might not provide specific details about the cause of the productive cough.
B.   Peripheral edema is often related to cardiovascular or renal issues and might not be directly related to the cause of a productive cough. While edema can provide information about fluid balance and possible heart failure, it does not directly address the specific characteristics or causes of a cough.
C.   A white blood cell count can help determine if there is an underlying infection or inflammatory process. Elevated WBC levels might indicate an infection, which could be a cause of the productive cough. This test is useful for diagnosing conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis but is not as immediately relevant as assessing the sputum characteristics in understanding the nature of the cough.
D.   The characteristics of sputum (color, consistency, presence of blood, etc.) can provide valuable information about the cause of the productive cough. For instance, yellow or green sputum might suggest a bacterial infection, while clear sputum could be associated with viral infections or allergies.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Being oriented x 3 means the client is aware of their name, the current time (or day), and the location (place). In this case, since the client is only able to remember his name and where he is, but not the time, day, or date, this documentation would be incorrect. The client does not meet the criteria for being oriented x 3.
B. Being oriented x 1 means the client is aware of only one aspect of orientation, such as their name. Since the client is able to remember both his name and his location, documenting as oriented x 1 would not fully capture the extent of the client's orientation. The client is oriented to more than one aspect.
C. Being oriented x 2 means the client is aware of two aspects of orientation. In this case, since the client is able to remember his name and his location (but not the time, day, or date), documenting as oriented x 2 accurately reflects his level of orientation.
D. Being oriented x 4 means the client is aware of four aspects: their name, the current time (or day), the date, and the location. Given that the client can only remember his name and location, this
documentation would be incorrect as it does not align with the client’s current state of orientation.

A. Intermittent pain on deep inspiration. B. An audible abdominal bruit. C. A bulge over umbilicus when coughing. D. Hypoactive bowel sounds in all quadrants.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Intermittent pain on deep inspiration could suggest pleuritic pain, which is related to the lungs or pleura rather than the abdomen. While this might be significant, it is less directly related to the client’s deep abdominal pain radiating to the back. This finding may be less urgent compared to other potential signs of serious abdominal pathology.

B. An abdominal bruit is a sound heard over the abdomen due to turbulent blood flow, often associated with vascular abnormalities like aneurysms or significant arterial stenosis. An audible abdominal bruit, especially if associated with deep abdominal pain, could indicate a serious vascular condition such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
C. A bulge over the umbilicus when coughing could indicate an umbilical hernia. While a hernia can be problematic and may require treatment, it is generally less urgent compared to findings that might suggest more acute or severe conditions like vascular issues.
D. Hypoactive bowel sounds can indicate decreased gastrointestinal activity, which might be related to various conditions such as ileus or bowel obstruction. While this finding is significant and warrants attention, it is often less immediately critical compared to signs of serious vascular issues or acute abdominal pathology.

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While assessing a client, the nurse observes that the client has a frequent productive cough. What follow-up assessment should the nurse evaluate first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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