Mr. Mariano was on his way home from a party. Apparently, he got drunk and lost his balance and suffered a vehicular accident. Upon arrival at the hospital, the nurse noticed that his only injury is an open fracture of the left humerus. Which assessment finding by the nurse is critical?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: status of client’s tetanus immunization. It is critical because an open fracture poses a risk of infection, and tetanus prophylaxis is necessary to prevent tetanus infection. Tetanus is caused by a bacterium commonly found in soil and can enter the body through open wounds. Assessing the client's tetanus immunization status helps determine the need for a tetanus booster to prevent potential complications. Incorrect choices: B: Current blood alcohol level - While relevant to the situation, the priority in this case is preventing infection from the open fracture. C: Support systems available at home to assist with care - Important for discharge planning but not the immediate priority. D: Last time client voided - Not critical in this scenario compared to preventing infection from the open fracture.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the problem-oriented approach involves focusing on the patient's presenting situation to identify the main issues and prioritize data collection. This step helps the nurse understand the immediate concerns and sets the direction for further assessment and interventions. Choice A is incorrect because completing questions in chronological order may not address the most urgent issues. Choice C is incorrect as accurate interpretations come after collecting relevant data. Choice D is incorrect as conducting an observational overview is part of the assessment process but not the first step in the problem-oriented approach.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ambulating a patient. Direct care interventions involve hands-on activities directly impacting patient outcomes. Ambulating a patient is a direct care intervention as it involves physically assisting the patient to move, promoting circulation, preventing complications, and improving overall well-being. Inserting a feeding tube (B) and performing resuscitation (C) are also direct care interventions as they involve immediate patient care actions. Documenting wound care (D) is not a direct care intervention as it involves recording information about a care activity rather than physically performing the care itself.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anthropometric measurements. This includes height, weight, and body mass index, which are crucial indicators of the nutritional status of a patient with Crohn's disease. It helps assess malnutrition, muscle wasting, and overall nutritional health. Dry skin (B), bleeding gums (C), and facial rubor (D) are not direct indicators of nutritional health in a patient with Crohn's disease. Dry skin may indicate dehydration, bleeding gums may suggest poor oral hygiene or gum disease, and facial rubor may be a sign of inflammation but are not specific to nutritional status.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Airway obstruction. Postoperatively, a nurse must assess for airway patency in a client with a nasal fracture to ensure proper breathing. Any swelling or bleeding in the nasal area can lead to airway obstruction, which is a critical concern that needs immediate intervention. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because an allergic reaction, extreme sense of smell, and stridor are not typically associated with postoperative assessment of a nasal fracture. It is crucial to prioritize airway assessment to prevent any complications related to breathing difficulties in this situation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate sodium and water balance in the body. It acts on the kidneys to increase reabsorption of sodium, leading to water retention and increased blood volume. This helps maintain blood pressure and electrolyte balance. A: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) mainly acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, not sodium retention. C: Thyroid hormone does not directly influence sodium retention. D: Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by promoting glucose uptake, it does not have a direct role in sodium retention.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Urine output of 20mL/hour. This is a critical finding after kidney transplant surgery as it indicates potential kidney dysfunction or acute kidney injury. Decreased urine output can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances, which can be life-threatening. Immediate physician notification is crucial for prompt intervention. Choices A, B, and C are within normal ranges and do not indicate immediate danger. Serum potassium level of 4.9mEq/L is slightly elevated but not critical. Temperature of 99.2F (37.3C) is within normal limits for postoperative care. Serum sodium level of 135mEq/L is also normal and does not warrant immediate physician notification.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Detects the presence of malignant cells. Biopsy involves taking a sample of tissue to examine under a microscope for the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing cancer accurately. Choice B (Measures hemoglobin content) is incorrect because hemoglobin content is typically measured through blood tests, not biopsies. Choice C (Measures the RBC size) is incorrect as RBC size is usually assessed through a complete blood count (CBC) test, not a biopsy. Choice D (Detects arterial occlusion) is incorrect because arterial occlusion is typically diagnosed through imaging studies like Doppler ultrasound or angiography, not through a biopsy procedure.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because developing a standard formal nursing diagnosis helps nurses focus on their scope of practice, which involves identifying and addressing the patient's nursing care needs. By formulating a specific nursing diagnosis, nurses can prioritize interventions and provide individualized care. Choice A is incorrect as nursing diagnoses are not exclusive to nurses. Choice B is incorrect because nursing and physician roles overlap. Choice C is incorrect as clinical judgment should be based on evidence and critical thinking, not solely on intuition.