While assessing a client who takes acetaminophen for chronic pain, the nurse observes that the client's skin looks yellow in color. Which action should the nurse take in response to this finding?
Use a pulse oximeter to assess oxygen saturation.
Advise the client to reduce the medication dose.
Report the finding to the healthcare provider.
Check the client's capillary glucose level.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Jaundice is not related to oxygen saturation, so using a pulse oximeter is not appropriate in this situation.
B. Reducing the dose of acetaminophen may be necessary, but this decision should be made after evaluating liver function.
C. Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin, can indicate liver dysfunction, possibly due to acetaminophen overuse or toxicity. The nurse should report this finding to the healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and management.
D. Checking capillary glucose levels is not relevant to the assessment of jaundice.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Urinary output is important but not as critical as identifying the potential source of infection.
B. A 24-hour medication history is useful but secondary to identifying an acute infection.
C. The amount of serous drainage provides information on wound healing but does not confirm infection.
D. Increased confusion in an older adult, especially with a wound present, raises concern for infection, possibly sepsis. A WBC count can help identify infection and guide further treatment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Changes in a mole's color, size, or shape could indicate melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. Immediate evaluation by a healthcare provider is critical for early diagnosis and treatment.
B. While monitoring the mole is important, immediate professional evaluation is the priority to rule out malignancy.
C. Assessing sun exposure is relevant for skin cancer risk, but it is not the immediate priority in this scenario.
D. Teaching a family member to monitor the mole is not sufficient when there is a significant change that requires professional evaluation.