Take full exam for free

A nurse is caring for a 57-year-old female client in the emergency department who presents with joint pain and stiffness in her hands. The client has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

 

Exhibits

 

Nurses’ Notes (0700hrs):

 

• The client reports experiencing joint pain and stiffness in her hands for the past few months.
• The pain is described as aching and is worse in the morning, lasting for about an hour before improving.
• The client mentions difficulty in performing daily tasks such as buttoning clothes and opening jars.
• There is visible swelling in the small joints of both hands.
• The client denies any recent trauma or injury to the hands.
• The client reports feeling fatigued and has had occasional low-grade fevers.
• The client is currently taking medication for hypertension and diabetes.

 

Medical History:

 

• Hypertension for 10 years, managed with medication.
• Type 2 diabetes for 5 years, managed with oral hypoglycemic agents.
• No known allergies.
• Family history of autoimmune diseases.

 

Vital Signs (0700hrs):

 

• Temperature: 37.8°C (100°F)
• Blood Pressure: 140/90 mmHg
• Heart Rate: 82 bpm
• Respiratory Rate: 18 breaths per minute
• Oxygen Saturation: 98% on room air

 

Physical Examination Results (0700hrs):

 

• Swelling and tenderness in the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands.
• Limited range of motion in the affected joints.
• No deformities observed.
• Skin over the joints appears slightly erythematous.
• No signs of infection or injury.

 

Diagnostic Results (0700hrs):

 

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): WBC 8,000/mm³ (4,000-11,000/mm³), Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL (12-16 g/dL), Platelets 250,000/mm³ (150,000-450,000/mm³)
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): 40 mm/hr (0-20 mm/hr)
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP): 15 mg/L (0-10 mg/L)
• Rheumatoid Factor (RF): Positive

 

A nurse is analyzing the assessment findings. Which findings are indicative of rheumatoid arthritis? Select all that apply.

The nurse observes the presence of brittle, concave curves to the nails of a client on assessment. Which information should the nurse obtain from the client that may explain the appearance of the nails?

An older male client reports to the nurse that his feet are cold. Before covering the client’s feet, which assessment(s) should the nurse complete? Select all that apply.

An adolescent female client comes to the clinic troubled by breast tenderness before her menstrual periods. On examination, the nurse notes generalized lumpiness of both breasts with no discrete masses and no nipple discharge. Which action should the nurse take?

A client is being evaluated for environmental allergies. While examining the client’s nasal passage, which finding suggests to the nurse that the client is experiencing allergic rhinitis?

While obtaining a client’s health history related to smoking cigarettes, the nurse plans to determine the client’s smoking pack years. What information should the nurse obtain for this calculation? Select all that apply.

A nurse is caring for a 45-year-old male client in the emergency department who sustained a fall from a ladder. The client has a closed and displaced fracture of the right ulna and radius. The nurse is monitoring the client closely for any changes in condition.

Exhibits

Nurses’ Notes (0800 hrs)

• The client is alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation.
• The right forearm is visibly deformed with significant swelling and bruising.
• The client reports severe pain rated 10/10, described as sharp and throbbing.
• Capillary refill in the right hand is 4 seconds.
• The skin on the right forearm is warm to the touch.
• Radial pulse is 2+ and palpable.
• The client denies any numbness or tingling in the right hand.

Vital Signs (0800 hrs)

• Temperature: 37.2°C (99°F)
• Heart Rate: 88 bpm
• Blood Pressure: 138/82 mmHg
• Respiratory Rate: 18 breaths/min
• Oxygen Saturation: 98% on room air

Diagnostic Results (0800 hrs)

• X-ray results: Closed and displaced fracture of the right ulna and radius.
• Hemoglobin: 13.5 g/dL (Reference range: 13.8-17.2 g/dL)
• White Blood Cell Count: 8,000/mm³ (Reference range: 4,500-11,000/mm³)

Provider’s Prescriptions (0800 hrs)

• 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 75 mL/hr
• Morphine sulfate 2 mg IV push STAT once
• Obtain cast cart
• Neurovascular assessment every hour for the first 24 hours

A nurse is caring for a 45-year-old male client in the emergency department with a closed and displaced fracture of the right ulna and radius. Based on the exhibits provided, what is the priority nursing action at this time?

While assessing the legs of an adult client, the nurse observes leathery-looking skin. The client reports aching, tired legs that swell if standing for long periods of time. To screen for venous insufficiency, the nurse should ask the client if they have experienced which subjective finding?

The nurse performs a two-point discrimination test by applying two sterile needles lightly to the fingertips and moving the needle tips in ever-closing distances. A middle-aged adult client senses two points at a distance of 3 mm on the fingertips and 10 mm on the palms of the hands. Which interpretation of this finding is accurate?

After placing a client in a supine position, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to auscultate bowel sounds and hears a loud, high-pitched almost continuous gurgling in two quadrants. Which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse assesses a client who comes to the clinic with neck stiffness and discomfort. Which finding of the cervical spine should the nurse inquire further about lifestyle habits?