The nurse is completing an assessment on a newly admitted client. What finding would alert the nurse that the client may be experiencing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT)?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Swelling in one leg with edema is a classic sign of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. This can lead to swelling in the affected leg due to the impaired venous return caused by the blood clot. It is important for the nurse to recognize this sign because if left untreated, DVT can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism. Therefore, the nurse should further assess the client and notify the healthcare provider for appropriate management.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The highest priority when caring for a patient with manifestations of appendicitis is to provide pain relief. By inserting a saline lock for intravenous pain medication, the patient can receive immediate pain relief to alleviate their discomfort. Pain management is crucial in appendicitis as it can help in improving the patient's overall well-being and reduce the risk of complications. While other options such as withholding food and fluids, performing preoperative skin preparation, or teaching postoperative exercises are important aspects of care, addressing the patient's pain is the top priority to ensure their comfort and well-being.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Assessing postural blood pressures is important in determining if the client may be experiencing orthostatic hypotension, which could have contributed to the fall. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that can occur when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. Older adults on antihypertensive medications are at increased risk for orthostatic hypotension. By monitoring postural blood pressures, the nurse can identify fluctuations in blood pressure that may put the client at risk for falls and implement appropriate interventions to prevent future falls. Monitoring serum sodium levels and creatinine levels are important for detecting electrolyte imbalances or kidney dysfunction but do not directly address the issue of orthostatic hypotension related to falls. Monitoring blood pressure every 2 hours may not provide valuable information on postural blood pressure changes that are associated with orthostatic hypotension.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect where there is an abnormal opening between the atria of the heart. The manifestations of ASD can vary depending on the size of the defect and the individual. However, common manifestations may include:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: B. Recommendations for perineal cleansing: Proper perineal hygiene is important in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Teaching the patient to cleanse the perineal area properly can help reduce the risk of UTIs.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Option B, washing the lower extremities with mild soap, drying the legs, and applying a light moisturizer, indicates effective teaching for a client with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Proper hygiene, including gentle washing with mild soap, thorough drying to prevent moisture-related skin breakdown, and moisturizing to prevent dry skin and promote circulation, are key components of self-care for individuals with PVD. Option A is incorrect because sitting with a pillow behind the knees does not specifically address PVD self-care. Option C is incorrect because crossing the left leg over the right while sitting does not relate to appropriate PVD management. Option D is incorrect because smoking in any form is detrimental to vascular health and should be discouraged in PVD management.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition characterized by widespread activation of clotting factors throughout the body, leading to both excessive clot formation and consumption of clotting factors. As a result, one of the common features of DIC is a decreased level of fibrinogen, which is an essential protein for blood clot formation. In DIC, fibrinogen is consumed in the formation of multiple small blood clots throughout the circulation, causing a decrease in its levels. This decrease in fibrinogen can contribute to the increased risk of bleeding that is seen in DIC. Therefore, a decreased fibrinogen level is a characteristic laboratory finding in DIC.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Evaluating client abilities to perform skills with return demonstrations is a good way for a nurse to prepare the environment for teaching. By observing the clients' abilities to perform the necessary skills, the nurse can tailor the teaching to meet the specific needs of each individual. Return demonstrations allow for immediate feedback and correction if needed, ensuring that the clients understand and can perform the skills accurately. This interactive approach to teaching promotes active learning and enhances retention of information.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: After an embolus becomes trapped in the pulmonary microvasculature, dead space increases. Dead space refers to the portion of the lung that is ventilated but not perfused, resulting in reduced gas exchange. When a pulmonary embolus blocks blood flow within a pulmonary vessel, it leads to a mismatch between ventilation and perfusion in the affected lung region. This mismatch results in increased dead space, as ventilation continues in areas that are not effectively perfused. As dead space increases, the overall efficiency of gas exchange in the lung is impaired, potentially leading to hypoxemia.