1 :

(0700hrs): 

The client reports feeling increasingly short of breath over the past two days. He has a productive cough with greenish sputum. He denies chest pain but mentions feeling very fatigued. The client appears anxious and is using accessory muscles to breathe. He is sitting upright in bed and leaning forward slightly. The client states he has not been able to sleep well due to the cough. He also reports a decreased appetite over the past few days.

(0700hrs):

The client is alert and oriented to person, place, and time. He has a productive cough with greenish sputum. His skin is warm and dry to the touch. Breath sounds are diminished in the lower lobes with crackles heard bilaterally. The client is using accessory muscles to breathe and has a prolonged expiratory phase. His nail beds are slightly cyanotic. The client is diaphoretic and appears fatigued.

(0700hrs):

Temperature: 38.3Β°C (100.9Β°F)

Heart Rate: 110 bpm

Respiratory Rate: 28 breaths per minute

Blood Pressure: 140/90 mmHg

Oxygen Saturation: 88% on room air


Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?


Answer Options

Hint : πŸ«€Always address the most life-threatening issue when multiple symptoms are present.

Correct Answers:

  • Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.


Rationale :

🫁The client’s oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which poses an immediate threat to tissue oxygenation and organ function.

🚨Airway and breathing take priority in all assessments, especially when vital signs show respiratory compromise such as increased respiratory rate and use of accessory muscles.

πŸ§ͺWhile obtaining a sputum culture is important to identify pathogens, it is not the first priority when a client is showing signs of respiratory distress.

🩸Providing oxygen is a critical intervention that helps relieve symptoms of dyspnea and improves oxygen delivery to tissues, addressing the client’s cyanosis, fatigue, and anxiety.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Support oxygenation, prioritize airway and breathing, and respond to hypoxemia before other interventions.

2 :

(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.

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.

(0700hrs):

Temperature: 37.8Β°C (100Β°F)

Blood Pressure: 140/90 mmHg

Heart Rate: 82 bpm

Respiratory Rate: 18 breaths per minute

Oxygen Saturation: 98% on room air

(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.

(0700hrs):

Complete Blood Count (CBC): WBC 8,000/mmΒ³ (4,000-11,000/mmΒ³), Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL (12-16 g/dL), Platelets 250,000/mmΒ³ (150,000-450,000/mmΒ³) 

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.


Answer Options

Hint : 🧬Focus on inflammation in symmetrical joints with systemic symptoms and prolonged stiffness.

Correct Answers:

  • Small joints of the hand
  • Joint swelling
  • Symmetrical involvement
  • Fatigue and fever


Rationale :

πŸ‘Involvement of small joints of the hand, particularly the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, is a hallmark feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

πŸ’’Joint swelling in RA is caused by inflammatory synovitis, leading to tenderness, decreased range of motion, and morning stiffness.

πŸ”Symmetrical joint involvement is characteristic of RA, meaning both sides of the body are equally affected, helping differentiate it from other arthritic conditions.

🌑️Fatigue and low-grade fever reflect the systemic autoimmune nature of RA, commonly present alongside joint symptoms in early disease stages.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Rheumatoid arthritis typically involves symmetrical small joint inflammation, with joint swelling, fatigue, and fever, reflecting its systemic autoimmune nature.

3 :

(0700hrs)

The client is alert but has minimal confusion and can answer simple questions. The client reports difficulty in performing self-care activities such as dressing and feeding. The client is observed to have a noticeable decline in the ability to move the right arm. The client expresses frustration and sadness about the loss of independence. The client has a supportive family who visits regularly. The client is on a regular diet but needs assistance with feeding. The client is cooperative during the assessment but shows signs of fatigue.

(0700hrs)

Right elbow: only able to straighten joint 20 degrees.

Right wrist: able to bend wrist back toward forearm.

Right shoulder: unable to move the arm away from the body.

(0700hrs)

Temperature: 37.2Β°C (99Β°F)

Heart rate: 82 bpm

Blood pressure: 138/82 mmHg

Respiratory rate: 18 breaths per minute

Oxygen saturation: 96% on room air

(0700hrs)

Complete Blood Count (CBC): WBC: 6.5 x 10^9/L (4.0-11.0 x 10^9/L)

 Hemoglobin: 13.5 g/dL (13.0-17.0 g/dL)

Platelets: 250 x 10^9/L (150-400 x 10^9/L)

Electrolytes:

Sodium: 140 mmol/L (135-145 mmol/L)

Potassium: 4.2 mmol/L (3.5-5.0 mmol/L)

Chloride: 102 mmol/L (98-106 mmol/L)


Based on the exhibits provided, what type of range of motion was being assessed for each joint? Select one response per row.


Options Abduction Flexion Extension
Elbow
Wrist
Shoulder

Hint : 🦴Match each joint movement with the anatomical direction being tested: straightening, lifting away, or bending.

Correct Answers

  • Elbow [ Extension ]
  • Wrist [ Flexion ]
  • Shoulder [ Abduction ]

Rationale :

πŸ’ͺThe elbow joint assessment notes the client can only straighten the arm to 20 degrees, which refers to extension, the action of increasing the angle between two body parts.

🀲The wrist movement described is bending the wrist backward toward the forearm, which is consistent with flexion, the movement that decreases the angle between the palm and forearm.

🫱The shoulder being unable to move the arm away from the body indicates an issue with abduction, which is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

🧩Understanding specific joint movements is essential for assessing neuromuscular function, especially in clients recovering from neurological events like a stroke.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Accurate identification of joint movementsβ€”such as elbow extension, wrist flexion, and shoulder abductionβ€”is critical in evaluating range of motion and tracking neurological recovery in post-stroke clients.

4 :

(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.

(0800 hrs)

Temperature: 37.2Β°C (99Β°F)

Heart Rate: 88 bpm

Blood Pressure: 138/82 mmHg

Respiratory Rate: 18 breaths/min

Oxygen Saturation: 98% on room air

(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/mmΒ³ (Reference range: 4,500-11,000/mmΒ³)

(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?


Answer Options

Hint : 🩸Assessing circulation and nerve function should take precedence before focusing on comfort or immobilization.

Correct Answers:

  • Perform a neurovascular assessment of the right hand.


Rationale :

🩻A displaced fracture poses a serious risk of compromising circulation, sensation, and movement, which requires immediate evaluation.

πŸ«€The presence of a capillary refill time of 4 seconds suggests possible vascular compromise and demands urgent neurovascular assessment to prevent complications such as compartment syndrome.

🧠Although administering morphine is important for pain management, it is not the priority over assessing for perfusion and neurological function in a potentially compromised limb.

πŸ› οΈPreparing for immobilization or starting IV fluids should only occur after confirming neurovascular integrity, ensuring the limb is stable enough to proceed with further treatment.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

In a client with a displaced limb fracture, a timely neurovascular assessment is the top priority to detect vascular or nerve impairment and prevent irreversible complications.

5 :

Hint : πŸ€”Think about what in the history could impair clotting and lead to unexplained bruising.

Correct Answers:

  • Takes an oral anticoagulant.


Rationale :

🩸Ecchymosis, or bruising, may result from impaired clotting ability, which is commonly associated with the use of oral anticoagulants such as warfarin.

πŸ§ͺThese medications reduce blood clot formation and can lead to spontaneous bruising in areas not subjected to trauma.

πŸ‘€Visible bruising on the trunk and extremities without a clear injury pattern warrants further investigation for potential medication-induced coagulopathy.

πŸ€’Clients on anticoagulants require careful monitoring for signs of bleeding, making this history item a priority for follow-up and potential medication adjustment.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Unexplained ecchymosis in a client taking oral anticoagulants requires immediate follow-up due to the risk of excessive bleeding and altered coagulation.

6 :

Hint : πŸ‘€Pay attention to visible traits that help determine where bleeding might be coming from.

Correct Answers:

  • Color characteristics of each stool.


Rationale :

🧻Stool color is a key indicator for identifying the source of gastrointestinal bleedingβ€”bright red suggests lower GI bleeding, while black/tarry suggests upper GI bleeding.

πŸ‘οΈIt provides objective and observable data that can be tracked and documented accurately.

πŸ“‹This helps healthcare providers to differentiate the bleeding location and decide on further investigations or interventions.

✍️Subjective details like odor or unobservable findings like internal hemorrhoids are less useful than concrete, visible findings.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Stool color is a crucial observation in assessing GI bleeding because it helps identify the location and severity of the bleed.

7 :

Hint : 🧽Choose a task that reflects what someone needs to do for bathing or personal grooming.

Correct Answers:

  • Opening a bar soap package.


Rationale :

πŸ–οΈActivities of daily living (ADLs) include basic self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding.

🧼Opening a bar soap package mimics a real-world grooming activity, requiring both fine motor skills and functional hand use.

πŸ‘΅This task provides direct insight into the client’s ability to perform essential hygiene tasks independently.

✍️Other options assess communication or cognitive ability, but they are not direct indicators of physical independence in ADLs.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Evaluating ADLs involves tasks like opening a soap package, which demonstrates functional independence in personal care.

8 :

Hint : πŸ€’Start with a tactile method before confirming elevated body temperature objectively.

Correct Answers:

  • Place the dorsum of the hand on the client’s forehead.


Rationale :

βœ‹Using the back (dorsum) of the hand on the forehead is a widely accepted, quick method to subjectively detect elevated temperature.

🌑️It gives an initial impression before confirming fever with a thermometer, supporting clinical judgment.

πŸ‘ƒOther methods, like assessing odor or asking for symptoms, do not objectively confirm fever and can be misleading.

πŸ‘‰This tactile check allows the nurse to act promptly while waiting for the thermometric confirmation.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Using the dorsum of the hand offers a quick check for fever presence, aiding in initial clinical assessment.

9 :

Hint : 🎯Focus on what action relieves symptoms caused by blood pooling in the lower limbs.

Correct Answers:

  • Decreased pain when legs are elevated.


Rationale :

🦡Venous insufficiency causes blood to pool in the lower extremities, leading to swelling and discomfort, especially after prolonged standing.

πŸ“ˆPain typically improves with leg elevation because it facilitates venous return and reduces venous pressure.

πŸ§ͺUnlike arterial issues, which worsen with elevation, venous symptoms are relieved by elevationβ€”a key distinguishing feature.

πŸ–‹οΈOther options describe arterial insufficiency, such as cool, pale skin and pain worsened by elevation, which are not relevant to venous screening.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

Pain relief with leg elevation is a hallmark sign of venous insufficiency, reflecting improved venous return and reduced pressure.

10 :

Hint : πŸ‘“This action involves changing the distance of focus to trigger a pupil reaction.

Correct Answers:

  • Observe pupil size when focusing on a near object and then a far object.


Rationale :

πŸ‘οΈAccommodation is assessed by having the client shift focus from a distant object to a near object, during which the pupils constrict when focusing on near and dilate when shifting to far.

πŸ§‘β€βš•οΈThis is a normal parasympathetic reflex that tests the function of the oculomotor nerve (CN III) and lens adjustment.

πŸ“Observing this reaction allows the nurse to evaluate both convergence and pupillary adjustment, essential components of the accommodation response.

πŸ”¦This test complements the pupillary light reflex but assesses a different neurological function related to visual focus.

πŸ“ŒCore Message

The accommodation reflex is tested by observing pupil constriction with near focus and dilation with distant focus to assess ocular nerve function.

Total Questions: 10

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