A nurse is reviewing a client’s orders and notes the following: Vital signs every 4 hours, regular diet, Cefazolin 1g IV every 8 hours for 5 days, Metformin 1,000 mg PO every 12 hours, and point of care blood glucose check every 4 hours. Which action should the nurse take?
Place the client on contact precautions.
Start a high-fiber diet.
Administer an oral steroid.
Make the client NPO.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Placing the client on contact precautions is not indicated based on the provided orders. Contact precautions are typically used for infections that are spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA or C. difficile. The orders do not suggest the presence of such an infection.
Choice B rationale
Starting a high-fiber diet is not indicated. The client is already on a regular diet, and there is no mention of conditions that would necessitate a high-fiber diet, such as constipation or diverticulosis.
Choice C rationale
Administering an oral steroid is not indicated. The orders include Cefazolin, an antibiotic, and Metformin, an antidiabetic medication. There is no indication for an oral steroid, which is typically used for inflammatory conditions or autoimmune diseases.
Choice D rationale
Making the client NPO (nothing by mouth) is the correct action. This is likely due to the need for accurate blood glucose monitoring and the administration of IV antibiotics. Being NPO ensures that the client does not eat or drink anything that could interfere with these treatments.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Recording a palpable systolic pressure of 90 mm Hg without further action would likely underestimate the true systolic pressure. The nurse should inflate the cuff to a higher pressure to obtain an accurate measurement.
Choice B rationale
Releasing the manometer valve immediately would lead to deflating the cuff and potentially missing the opportunity to obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement.
Choice C rationale
Documenting the absence of the radial pulse is important, but it is also crucial to ensure that blood pressure measurements are obtained correctly. Further action is needed to obtain an accurate measurement.
Choice D rationale
Inflating the blood pressure cuff to 120 mm Hg is the correct action. When the radial pulse becomes unpalpable during cuff inflation, the cuff should be inflated to a higher pressure (usually 20-30 mm Hg above the point where the radial pulse disappears) and then slowly deflated while palpating for the return of the radial pulse.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Assessing the strength of deep tendon reflexes is not the most important intervention because the deep tendon reflexes are not the most reliable indicator of the serum potassium level. The nurse should check the client’s reflexes and note any hyperreflexia or hyporeflexia, but these are not the priority assessments.
Choice B rationale
This is the most important intervention because a high serum potassium level can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, which can be life-threatening. The nurse should monitor the client’s heart rate and rhythm closely and report any changes or abnormalities to the healthcare provider.
Choice C rationale
Observing the color and amount of urine is not the most important intervention because the color and amount of urine are not directly related to the serum potassium level. The nurse should assess the client’s renal function and fluid balance, but these are not the priority assessments.
Choice D rationale
Comparing muscle strength bilaterally is also not the most important intervention because the muscle strength is not the most sensitive indicator of the serum potassium level. The nurse should evaluate the client’s neuromuscular status and watch for signs of weakness or paralysis, but these are not the priority assessments.