A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who was admitted to the postpartum unit. The client is diaphoretic, skin is clammy, pulse is rapid and strong, respirations are shallow. The client reports headache, nausea, and feeling weak.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Administer oxygen.
Offer an ice pack.
Provide a warm blanket.
Elevate the client’s legs.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Administering oxygen may help with symptoms like headache and weakness, but it does not address the underlying issue of poor circulation and potential shock. Elevating the legs is more effective in improving blood flow to vital organs.
Choice B rationale
Offering an ice pack is not appropriate for the symptoms described. The client is showing signs of shock, and an ice pack would not address the underlying issue.
Choice C rationale
Providing a warm blanket may offer comfort, but it does not address the symptoms of shock. Elevating the legs is a more direct intervention to improve circulation and stabilize the client.
Choice D rationale
Elevating the client’s legs helps improve venous return to the heart, increasing cardiac output and stabilizing blood pressure. This is a critical intervention for a client showing signs of shock.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A hemoglobin level of 9.5 g/dL is low for a full-term newborn and should be reported to the provider. Normal hemoglobin levels for newborns range from 14 to 24 g/dL4.
Choice B rationale
A white blood cell count of 10,000/mm³ is within the normal range for a newborn, which is typically between 9,000 and 30,000/mm³4.
Choice C rationale
A glucose level of 60 mg/dL is within the normal range for a newborn, which is typically between 40 and 60 mg/dL4.
Choice D rationale
A platelet count of 225,000/mm³ is within the normal range for a newborn, which is typically between 150,000 and 450,000/mm³4.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Repositioning the newborn every 2 to 3 hours is essential during phototherapy to ensure that all areas of the skin are exposed to the light. This helps in the effective breakdown of bilirubin and prevents pressure sores.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring the newborn’s blood glucose level every 2 hours is not a standard intervention for phototherapy. While monitoring glucose levels is important in certain conditions, it is not directly related to the management of hyperbilirubinemia.
Choice C rationale
Applying a water-based ointment to the newborn’s skin every 4 to 6 hours is not recommended during phototherapy. Ointments can block the light from reaching the skin, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Choice D rationale
Giving the newborn 30 mL of distilled water after each feeding is not a recommended practice. Hydration is important, but it should be done through breastfeeding or formula feeding, not distilled water.