What is the most effective action for a client with suspected sepsis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial in treating sepsis as they help to fight the underlying infection causing the condition. Administering antibiotics promptly can prevent the infection from spreading and worsening. Fluids (choices B and C) are important for treating sepsis to maintain blood pressure and support organ function, but antibiotics are the primary intervention to target the infection. Administering oxygen (choice D) may be necessary to support respiratory function in septic patients, but it is not the most effective action to address the underlying infection.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor for signs of infection. Within the first 48 hours post-op, fever is often indicative of an infection. Monitoring for signs such as increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth at the surgical site, elevated white blood cell count, and changes in vital signs helps in early detection and prompt treatment of infections. Administering antipyretics (choice A) may help reduce fever but does not address the underlying cause. Administering fluids (choice C) is important for hydration but does not directly address the fever's cause. Performing an abdominal assessment (choice D) is not specific to addressing fever in a post-op client.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia, and oxygen therapy is essential to improve oxygenation. Administering corticosteroids (B) is not recommended as they do not improve outcomes in ARDS. Monitoring serum glucose (C) is unrelated to the treatment of ARDS. Administering pain relief (D) is important for patient comfort but does not address the underlying hypoxemia in ARDS. Oxygen therapy is the primary treatment to support respiratory function and improve oxygen delivery in ARDS.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess vital signs. Vital signs provide crucial information on the client's overall condition and can help identify any life-threatening issues. Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature can guide immediate interventions and determine the urgency of further assessments or treatments. Administering oxygen (B) would be appropriate after assessing vital signs. Performing an ECG (C) may be indicated later but is not the priority in this acute situation. Monitoring serum glucose levels (D) is not typically the first assessment in a client with severe abdominal pain.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Inspect for visible pulsation. This is because an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis should have a visible pulsation, indicating proper blood flow. Palpating for thrill (B) and auscultating for bruit (C) are also common assessments for an arteriovenous fistula, but inspecting for visible pulsation is the most direct and reliable way to assess the patency of the fistula. Percussing for dullness (D) is not relevant in this context as it does not provide information about the vascular access site.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial in treating wound infections as they target and eliminate the infection-causing bacteria, preventing the infection from spreading and promoting healing. Applying a cold compress (choice B) or heat (choice C) may provide temporary relief but do not address the underlying infection. Administering IV fluids (choice D) may be necessary for hydration, but it does not directly treat the infection. Antibiotics directly target the infection, making it the most important intervention for a client with a wound infection.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum often caused by infection. Administering antibiotics is crucial to combat the infection. It is important to treat the underlying cause first before focusing on symptom management. Administering analgesics (B) may provide temporary relief but won't address the infection. Applying an ice pack (C) is not appropriate for peritonitis as it won't treat the infection. Performing a laparotomy (D) is a surgical procedure that may be necessary in severe cases but is not the initial nursing action.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A client with renal disease must avoid foods high in potassium to prevent hyperkalemia, as the kidneys are unable to properly filter and excrete potassium. Foods high in potassium can lead to dangerous levels of potassium in the blood, which can be life-threatening for individuals with renal disease. Choice A is incorrect because a client receiving diuretic therapy may actually need to increase their potassium intake due to the potassium-wasting effects of diuretics. Choice B is incorrect as having an ileostomy does not necessarily affect potassium levels. Choice C is incorrect because clients with metabolic alkalosis may actually benefit from consuming foods high in potassium to help correct the acid-base imbalance.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Lupus. Lupus can affect the kidneys, leading to renal impairment. Renal impairment can decrease the body's ability to excrete ammonia, resulting in elevated levels. Renal failure (choice A) can also lead to elevated ammonia levels, but lupus specifically contributes to renal issues. Cirrhosis (choice B) primarily affects the liver, not kidneys. Psoriasis (choice C) is a skin condition and does not directly impact ammonia levels.