what should a nurse monitor for in a patient with hiv and a cd4 t cell count below 180 cellsmm3
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ATI RN

ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1 Quizlet

1. What should a healthcare provider monitor for in a patient with HIV and a CD4 T-cell count below 180 cells/mm3?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A CD4 T-cell count below 180 cells/mm3 indicates severe immunocompromise in a patient with HIV. Monitoring for signs of infection is crucial because the patient is at high risk of developing opportunistic infections. Anemia (choice B), dehydration (choice C), and bleeding (choice D) are not directly associated with a low CD4 T-cell count in patients with HIV.

2. What should a healthcare provider teach a patient who has experienced an acute episode of gastritis?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid foods high in potassium. During an acute episode of gastritis, it is advisable to avoid foods high in potassium as they can exacerbate symptoms. Potassium-rich foods may irritate the stomach lining, leading to increased discomfort. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding foods high in sodium is not specifically related to managing gastritis. Increasing exercise to reduce stress is a good general recommendation but not directly related to managing gastritis symptoms. Drinking milk as a snack is not recommended for gastritis as dairy products can sometimes worsen symptoms due to their fat content.

3. What is the priority action for a patient experiencing chest pain from acute coronary syndrome?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer sublingual nitroglycerin. This medication helps to dilate the blood vessels, reduce the workload on the heart, and improve blood flow to the heart muscle, providing immediate relief for chest pain in acute coronary syndrome. Administering aspirin is also crucial in the early management of acute coronary syndrome to prevent further clot formation. However, in terms of immediate symptom relief, nitroglycerin takes precedence over aspirin. Obtaining IV access is important for administering medications and fluids but is not the priority over providing immediate relief for chest pain. Checking cardiac enzymes is essential for diagnosing acute coronary syndrome but is not the immediate priority when a patient is experiencing chest pain.

4. What is the priority intervention for a patient with possible acute coronary syndrome?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is the priority intervention for a patient with possible acute coronary syndrome as it helps dilate blood vessels, reduce chest pain, and improve blood flow to the heart. This intervention is crucial in managing acute coronary syndrome and should be given promptly. Getting IV access may be necessary, but administering nitroglycerin takes precedence to alleviate symptoms and prevent further heart damage. Auscultating heart sounds and administering aspirin are important aspects of the assessment and treatment plan, but they are not the priority interventions in the acute phase of suspected acute coronary syndrome.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Keeping the client's neck in a midline position is crucial for managing increased intracranial pressure. This position helps optimize blood flow and minimizes the risk of further increasing ICP. Placing several pillows behind the client's head (Choice A) may inadvertently elevate the head, potentially worsening ICP. Placing the client in a Sim's position (Choice B) or maintaining flexion of the client's hips at a 90° angle (Choice D) are not directly related to managing increased ICP.

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