A nurse is caring for a 70-year-old patient with a history of congestive heart failure. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Orthostatic hypotension. In a patient with congestive heart failure, there is impaired cardiac function leading to decreased cardiac output. This can result in orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops upon standing. Monitoring for orthostatic hypotension is important to prevent falls and other complications. B: Hyperkalemia is not typically associated with congestive heart failure. C: Hypoglycemia may occur in patients with diabetes, but it is not a common complication of congestive heart failure. D: Severe dehydration is not directly related to congestive heart failure unless the patient has concurrent issues such as diarrhea or excessive diuresis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply a sterile dressing. Firstly, cover the wound with a sterile occlusive dressing to prevent air from entering the pleural space, reducing the risk of tension pneumothorax. This also helps to prevent infection and further complications. Administering morphine (B) or nitroglycerin (D) is not the priority in this situation as managing the chest wound is crucial. Applying an airtight dressing (C) may lead to tension pneumothorax if not done properly. Therefore, the immediate action should be to apply a sterile dressing to stabilize the wound and prevent further complications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Jaundice. Yellowish brown skin coloration along with pink coloration of the hard and soft palate is indicative of jaundice, a condition characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin causes a yellowish discoloration of the skin but does not affect the color of the mucous membranes like the hard and soft palate. Pallor (A) refers to paleness of the skin due to decreased blood flow or anemia, not relevant in this case. Cyanosis (C) is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood, which is not consistent with the presented findings. Iron deficiency (D) may lead to pallor, but it does not cause yellowish brown skin coloration like jaundice.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Cover the burn site with a clean, dry dressing. This intervention helps protect the burn from infection, promotes healing, and reduces pain. Ice can further damage the skin. Pain medication may be needed but does not address wound care. Maintaining a sterile dressing is crucial, but covering with a clean, dry dressing is more practical and achievable in most settings.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Atelectasis and pneumonia. Following abdominal surgery, patients are at risk for atelectasis (lung collapse) due to shallow breathing and pneumonia due to impaired lung function. A nurse should monitor for signs such as decreased oxygen saturation, increased respiratory rate, and crackles on auscultation. Wound infection (A) is a common post-operative complication but not specific to abdominal surgery. Hyperglycemia (B) may occur due to stress response but is not directly related to abdominal surgery. Dehydration (C) is a concern post-operatively, but respiratory complications like atelectasis and pneumonia are higher priority due to potential life-threatening consequences.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Check for dehydration. When a client has a high fever, assessing for dehydration is crucial because fever can lead to increased fluid loss through sweating and increased respiratory rate. Dehydration can exacerbate the client's condition and needs to be addressed promptly. Monitoring respiratory rate (choice A) and pulse (choice D) are important assessments but do not address the immediate need to identify dehydration. Obtaining a blood sample (choice B) may be necessary at some point but is not the initial priority in a client with a high fever. Thus, checking for dehydration should be assessed first to ensure proper management of the client's condition.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Nutrition is important for healing and energy. Step 2: Elimination is crucial for bowel and bladder function. Step 3: Comfort ensures the client's well-being. Step 4: Safety prevents complications. Step 5: ROM exercises can prevent muscle atrophy. Step 6: Transportation and isotonic exercises are not immediate priorities.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administering oxygen as prescribed. Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention in pneumonia to improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia. Priority is given to interventions that address the immediate physiological needs of the patient. Encouraging fluid intake (A) is important but not as urgent as oxygen therapy. Encouraging ambulation (C) can be beneficial for overall health but may not be suitable for a patient with pneumonia. Providing pain medication (D) is important for comfort but is not the priority in this case.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Epinephrine. It is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis as it rapidly reverses severe allergic reactions by constricting blood vessels, relaxing airway muscles, and increasing heart rate. Diphenhydramine (B) and steroids (C) are used as adjunct therapies but do not provide immediate relief like epinephrine. Albuterol (D) is used for bronchospasm in asthma, not for anaphylaxis. In summary, epinephrine is the most effective and life-saving medication for treating anaphylaxis.