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Three days after a cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis, a female client reports having persistent upper abdominal pain that radiates to her back. Based on these findings, the nurse should observe the client for which pathophysiological condition?

A client who was admitted yesterday with bilateral pneumonia has congested breath sounds, an oxygen saturation of 94%, a weak cough effort, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

The nurse is caring for a client with emphysema who is mildly dyspneic after ambulation. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client to improve gas exchange?

A client who has had a laryngectomy and tracheostomy frequently expectorates copious amounts of purulent secretions. When changing the ties of the tracheostomy tube, which action is most important for the nurse to take?

A nurse is caring for a 51-year-old male client with pneumonia in the hospital. The client has a history of hypertension and takes enalapril and a multivitamin daily. His surgical history includes adenoid removal at age 4 and surgical repair of a fractured tibia at age 20.

History and Physical

The client is a 51-year-old male with pneumonia. He has a history of hypertension and takes enalapril and a multivitamin daily. His surgical history includes adenoid removal at age 4 and surgical repair of a fractured tibia at age 20.

Nurses’ Notes

The client is alert and oriented but appears fatigued. He reports shortness of breath and a productive cough with greenish sputum. The client has been receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. He has been compliant with his medication regimen and reports no recent changes in his health status. The client denies any chest pain but mentions occasional wheezing.

Diagnostic Results

Chest X-ray: Consolidation noted in the right middle and lower lobe consistent with pneumonia.

Vital Signs

• Temperature: 38.5°C (101.3°F)
• Heart Rate: 98 bpm
• Respiratory Rate: 24 breaths per minute
• Blood Pressure: 145/90 mmHg
• Oxygen Saturation: 92% on 2 L/min of oxygen via nasal cannula

Physical Examination Results

The client appears fatigued and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Lung auscultation reveals crackles in the right middle and lower lobes. There is no peripheral edema, and the client’s skin is warm and dry. The client has a productive cough with greenish sputum. He is alert and oriented but appears anxious.

Provider’s Prescriptions

• Continue enalapril 10 mg daily
• Acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed for fever
• Increase oxygen to 3 L/min via nasal cannula if oxygen saturation drops below 90%
• Administer albuterol nebulizer treatment every 4 hours as needed for wheezing
• Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises every hour

Question: Which actions can the nurse do to assist the client in improving their ventilation and oxygenation? Select all that apply.

A client with symptoms of influenza that started the previous day asks the clinic nurse about taking oseltamivir to treat the infection. Which response should the nurse provide?

A nurse is caring for a 76-year-old male client in the medical unit

History and Physical

The client is a 76-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension. He presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of productive cough, fever, and shortness of breath. He has a 40-pack-year smoking history and lives alone. He denies recent travel or sick contacts.

Nurses’ Notes

Day 1, 1800: The client was admitted to the medical unit with suspected pneumonia. Crackles were auscultated bilaterally in the lower lung fields, and breath sounds were diminished. A saline infusion was initiated at 50 mL/hour. Vancomycin IV piggyback (IVPB) was started. Sputum and blood cultures were obtained and sent to the lab.

Diagnostic Results

Day 2: Sputum culture positive for pneumococcus. Chest x-ray showed focal consolidation in the bilateral lower lobes, suggestive of pneumonia.

Vital Signs

• Temperature: 38.5°C
• Heart Rate: 110 bpm
• Respiratory Rate: 24 breaths/min
• Blood Pressure: 150/90 mmHg
• Oxygen Saturation: 88% on room air

Physical Examination Results

On physical examination, the client appeared in moderate respiratory distress. He had crackles bilaterally in the lower lung fields and diminished breath sounds throughout. His skin was warm and diaphoretic. He was using accessory muscles to breathe and had a productive cough with greenish sputum.

Provider’s Prescriptions

• Continue saline infusion at 50 mL/hour
• Discontinue vancomycin
• Start ceftriaxone 1g IV every 24 hours
• Albuterol treatments by nebulizer every 4 to 6 hours
• Increase oral fluids
• Obtain arterial blood gas (ABG)

Imaging Studies

Chest x-ray showed focal consolidation in the bilateral lower lobes, suggestive of pneumonia.

Question: Which of the following does the nurse anticipate the healthcare provider to prescribe during morning rounds? Select 4 findings.

A client with multiple sclerosis (MS) fell while walking to the bathroom. Upon transfer to the intensive care unit, the client is confused and has had projectile vomiting twice. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Exhibit 1: History and Physical

The client is a 51-year-old male admitted to the medical floor with a diagnosis of pneumonia. He reports a 3-day history of productive cough, shortness of breath, and fever. He also mentions increased fatigue and weakness over the last week. The client has a history of hypertension, which is controlled with enalapril 10 mg daily. His surgical history includes adenoidectomy at age 5 and surgical repair of a fractured femur at age 20. The client takes a multivitamin daily and has no known allergies. He is a non-smoker and reports occasional alcohol use.

Exhibit 2: Nurse's Notes (0800)

At 0800, the client was alert but appeared fatigued and short of breath. His oxygen saturation was 89% on room air, and he was placed on supplemental oxygen at 10 L/min via nasal cannula, which improved his saturation to 94%. The client stated, “I feel tired and weak, and it’s hard to breathe.” His skin was warm to the touch, and he had a productive cough with thick, yellow sputum. He reported a headache and body aches, rating his pain as 4/10. The client denied chest pain but reported feeling feverish throughout the night. His capillary refill was less than 3 seconds, and lung sounds were diminished with crackles heard bilaterally.

Exhibit 3: Vital Signs

• Time: 0800
• Temperature: 101.2°F (38.4°C)
• Pulse: 112 beats per minute
• Respiratory Rate: 28 breaths per minute
• Blood Pressure: 150/92 mmHg
• Oxygen Saturation: 89% on room air, 94% on 10 L/min nasal cannula

Exhibit 4: Physical Examination Results

Upon physical examination, the client appeared ill and was in mild respiratory distress, with shallow and rapid breathing. His skin was warm and flushed, and he was diaphoretic. Lung auscultation revealed bilateral crackles in the lower lobes, more pronounced on the right side. There were no wheezes or rhonchi noted. His heart sounds were regular, but tachycardia was present. The client’s abdomen was soft and non-tender with normal bowel sounds. No edema was noted in the extremities, and there were no visible rashes or skin abnormalities. The client’s capillary refill was normal, and neurological assessment showed no focal deficits.

Exhibit 5: Provider's Prescriptions

1. Admit to the medical floor
2. Vital signs every 4 hours
3. Continuous pulse oximetry
4. Supplemental oxygen 10 L/min via nasal cannula
5. Enalapril 10 mg PO every morning
6. Ibuprofen 400 mg PO every 4 to 6 hours PRN for temperature greater than 100.5°F (38.0°C)
7. Send blood for complete blood count and electrolytes
8. Chest X-ray now

Question: Which of the following provider's prescriptions would the nurse question? Select all that apply.

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who develops an onset of dyspnea and tachypnea with coughing. After positioning the client upright, which action should the nurse take next?

The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The client reports a pain level of 8 on a 0 to 10 pain scale, dysphagia, anorexia, anxiety, and a hoarse voice. Which nursing problem is the priority for this client?