Nursing Elites

1. Five days after undergoing surgery, a client develops a small-bowel obstruction. A Miller-Abbott tube is inserted for bowel decompression. Which nursing diagnosis takes priority?

• A. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements
• B. Acute pain
• C. Deficient fluid volume
• D. Excess fluid volume

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For a client with a small-bowel obstruction and a Miller-Abbott tube, deficient fluid volume is the priority nursing diagnosis.

2. Which of the following mechanisms can facilitate the development of diverticulosis into diverticulitis?

• A. Treating constipation with chronic laxative use, leading to dependence on laxatives
• B. Chronic constipation causing an obstruction, reducing forward flow of intestinal contents
• C. Herniation of the intestinal mucosa, rupturing the wall of the intestine
• D. Undigested food blocking the diverticulum, predisposing the area to bacterial invasion

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Undigested food blocking the diverticulum can lead to bacterial invasion, causing inflammation and turning diverticulosis into diverticulitis. Choices A, B, and C do not directly facilitate the development of diverticulitis. Choice A involves a different mechanism related to laxative use, choice B describes a complication of chronic constipation but does not necessarily lead to diverticulitis, and choice C refers to a different condition involving herniation of the intestinal mucosa.

3. You’re caring for Lewis, a 67 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who develops ascites and requires paracentesis. Relief of which symptom indicated that the paracentesis was effective?

• A. Pruritus
• B. Dyspnea
• C. Jaundice
• D. Peripheral Neuropathy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Dyspnea relief indicates that the paracentesis was effective in reducing ascites.

4. A client is to take one daily dose of ranitidine (Zantac) at home to treat her peptic ulcer. The nurse knows that the client understands proper drug administration of ranitidine when she says that she will take the drug at which of the following times?

• A. Before meals
• B. With meals
• C. At bedtime
• D. When pain occurs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ranitidine (Zantac) is best taken at bedtime to reduce stomach acid production overnight.

5. During an abdominal assessment, a nurse finds pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis on a client. What finding should be reported to the physician?

• A. Concave, midline umbilicus
• B. Pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis
• C. Bowel sound frequency of 15 sounds per minute
• D. Absence of a bruit

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The presence of pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis could indicate an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a serious condition and should be reported to the physician promptly. A concave, midline umbilicus is a normal finding. Bowel sound frequency can vary widely and is not a cause for concern at 15 sounds per minute. Absence of a bruit is a normal finding in an abdominal assessment and does not require reporting.

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