Medical Surgical Nursing ( 91 - 120 )

91. Which is considered as the earliest sign of increased ICP that the nurse should closely observed for?

A. abnormal respiratory pattern
B. rising systolic and widening pulse pressure
C. contralateral hemiparesis and ipsilateral dilation of the pupils
D. progression from restlessness to confusion and disorientation to lethargy

Answer: (D) progression from restlessness to confusion and disorientation to lethargy
The first major effect of increasing ICP is a decrease in cerebral perfusion causing hypoxia that produces a progressive alteration in the LOC. This is initially manifested by restlessness.

92. Which is irrelevant in the pharmacologic management of a client with CVA?

A. Osmotic diuretics and corticosteroids are given to decrease cerebral edema
B. Anticonvulsants are given to prevent seizures
C. Thrombolytics are most useful within three hours of an occlusive CVA
D. Aspirin is used in the acute management of a completed stroke.

Answer: (D) Aspirin is used in the acute management of a completed stroke.
The primary goal in the management of CVA is to improve cerebral tissue perfusion. Aspirin is a platelet deaggregator used in the prevention of recurrent or embolic stroke but is not used in the acute management of a completed stroke as it may lead to bleeding.

93. What would be the MOST therapeutic nursing action when a client’s expressive aphasia is severe?

A. Anticipate the client wishes so she will not need to talk
B. Communicate by means of questions that can be answered by the client shaking the head
C. Keep us a steady flow rank to minimize silence
D. Encourage the client to speak at every possible opportunity.

Answer: (D) Encourage the client to speak at every possible opportunity.
Expressive or motor aphasia is a result of damage in the Broca’s area of the frontal lobe. It is amotor speech problem in which the client generally understands what is said but is unable to communicate verbally. The patient can best he helped therefore by encouraging him to communicate and reinforce this behavior positively.

94. A client with head injury is confused, drowsy and has unequal pupils. Which of the following nursing diagnosis is most important at this time?

A. altered level of cognitive function
B. high risk for injury
C. altered cerebral tissue perfusion
D. sensory perceptual alteration

Answer: (C) altered cerebral tissue perfusion
The observations made by the nurse clearly indicate a problem of decrease cerebral perfusion. Restoring cerebral perfusion is most important to maintain cerebral functioning and prevent further brain damage.

95. Which nursing diagnosis is of the highest priority when caring for a client with myasthenia gravis?
A. Pain
B. High risk for injury related to muscle weakness
C. Ineffective coping related to illness
D. Ineffective airway clearance related to muscle weakness

Answer: (D) Ineffective airway clearance related to muscle weakness
Myasthenia gravis causes a failure in the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction which may be due to a weakening or decrease in acetylcholine receptor sites. This leads to sporadic, progressive weakness or abnormal fatigability of striated muscles that eventually causes loss of function. The respiratory muscles can become weak with decreased tidal volume and vital capacity making breathing and clearing the airway through coughing difficult. The respiratory muscle weakness may be severe enough to require and emergency airway and mechanical ventilation.

96. The client has clear drainage from the nose and ears after a head injury. How can the nurse determine if the drainage is CSF?

A. Measure the ph of the fluid
B. Measure the specific gravity of the fluid
C. Test for glucose
D. Test for chlorides

Answer: (C) Test for glucose
The CSF contains a large amount of glucose which can be detected by using glucostix. A positive result with the drainage indicate CSF leakage.

97. The nurse includes the important measures for stump care in the teaching plan for a client with an amputation. Which measure would be excluded from the teaching plan?
A. Wash, dry, and inspect the stump daily.
B. Treat superficial abrasions and blisters promptly.
C. Apply a "shrinker" bandage with tighter arms around the proximal end of the affected limb.
D. Toughen the stump by pushing it against a progressively harder substance (e.g., pillow on a foot-stool).

Answer: (C) Apply a "shrinker" bandage with tighter arms around the proximal end of the affected limb.
The “shrinker” bandage is applied to prevent swelling of the stump. It should be applied with the distal end with the tighter arms. Applying the tighter arms at the proximal end will impair circulation and cause swelling by reducing venous flow.

98. A 70-year-old female comes to the clinic for a routine checkup. She is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. Her major complaint is pain in her joints. She is retired and has had to give up her volunteer work because of her discomfort. She was told her diagnosis was osteoarthritis about 5 years ago. Which would be excluded from the clinical pathway for this client?

A. Decrease the calorie count of her daily diet.
B. Take warm baths when arising.
C. Slide items across the floor rather than lift them.
D. Place items so that it is necessary to bend or stretch to reach them.

Answer: (D) Place items so that it is necessary to bend or stretch to reach them.
Patients with osteoarthritis have decreased mobility caused by joint pain. Over-reaching and stretching to get an object are to be avoided as this can cause more pain and can even lead to falls. The nurse should see to it therefore that objects are within easy reach of the patient.

99. A client is admitted from the emergency department with severe-pain and edema in the right foot. His diagnosis is gouty arthritis. When developing a plan of care, which action would have the highest priority?

A. Apply hot compresses to the affected joints.
B. Stress the importance of maintaining good posture to prevent deformities.
C. Administer salicylates to minimize the inflammatory reaction.
D. Ensure an intake of at least 3000 ml of fluid per day.

Answer: (D) Ensure an intake of at least 3000 ml of fluid per day.
Gouty arthritis is a metabolic disease marked by urate deposits that cause painful arthritic joints. The patient should be urged to increase his fluid intake to prevent the development of urinary uric acid stones.

100. A client had a laminectomy and spinal fusion yesterday. Which statement is to be excluded from your plan of care?

A. Before log rolling, place a pillow under the client's head and a pillow between the client's legs.
B. Before log rolling, remove the pillow from under the client's head and use no pillows between the client's legs.
C. Keep the knees slightly flexed while the client is lying in a semi-Fowler's position in bed.
D. Keep a pillow under the client's head as needed for comfort.

Answer: (B) Before log rolling, remove the pillow from under the client's head and use no pillows between the client's legs.
Following a laminectomy and spinal fusion, it is important that the back of the patient be maintained in straight alignment and to support the entire vertebral column to promote complete healing.

101. The nurse is assisting in planning care for a client with a diagnosis of immune deficiency. The nurse would incorporate which of the ff. as a priority in the plan of care?

A. providing emotional support to decrease fear
B. protecting the client from infection
C. encouraging discussion about lifestyle changes
D. identifying factors that decreased the immune function

Answer: (B) protecting the client from infection
Immunodeficiency is an absent or depressed immune response that increases susceptibility to infection. So it is the nurse’s primary responsibility to protect the patient from infection.

102. Joy, an obese 32 year old, is admitted to the hospital after an automobile accident. She has a fractured hip and is brought to the OR for surgery.

After surgery Joy is to receive a piggy-back of Clindamycin phosphate (Cleocin) 300 mg in 50 ml of D5W. The piggyback is to infuse in 20 minutes. The drop factor of the IV set is 10 gtt/ml. The nurse should set the piggyback to flow at:

A. 25 gtt/min
B. 30 gtt/min
C. 35 gtt/min
D. 45 gtt/min

Answer: (A) 25 gtt/min
To get the correct flow rate: multiply the amount to be infused (50 ml) by the drop factor (10) and divide the result by the amount of time in minutes (20)

103. The day after her surgery Joy asks the nurse how she might lose weight. Before answering her question, the nurse should bear in mind that long-term weight loss best occurs when:

A. Fats are controlled in the diet
B. Eating habits are altered
C. Carbohydrates are regulated
D. Exercise is part of the program

Answer: (B) Eating habits are altered
For weight reduction to occur and be maintained, a new dietary program, with a balance of foods from the basic four food groups, must be established and continued

104. The nurse teaches Joy, an obese client, the value of aerobic exercises in her weight reduction program. The nurse would know that this teaching was effective when Joy says that exercise will:

A. Increase her lean body mass
B. Lower her metabolic rate
C. Decrease her appetite
D. Raise her heart rate

Answer: (A) Increase her lean body mass
Increased exercise builds skeletal muscle mass and reduces excess fatty tissue.

105. The physician orders non-weight bearing with crutches for Joy, who had surgery for a fractured hip. The most important activity to facilitate walking with crutches before ambulation begun is:

A. Exercising the triceps, finger flexors, and elbow extensors
B. Sitting up at the edge of the bed to help strengthen back muscles
C. Doing isometric exercises on the unaffected leg
D. Using the trapeze frequently for pull-ups to strengthen the biceps muscles

Answer: (A) Exercising the triceps, finger flexors, and elbow extensors
These sets of muscles are used when walking with crutches and therefore need strengthening prior to ambulation.

106. The nurse recognizes that a client understood the demonstration of crutch walking when she places her weight on:

A. The palms and axillary regions
B. Both feet placed wide apart
C. The palms of her hands
D. Her axillary regions

Answer: (C) The palms of her hands
The palms should bear the client’s weight to avoid damage to the nerves in the axilla (brachial plexus)

107. Joey is a 46 year-old radio technician who is admitted because of mild chest pain. He is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is diagnosed with a myocardial infarct. Morphine sulfate, Diazepam (Valium) and Lidocaine are prescribed.

The physician orders 8 mg of Morphine Sulfate to be given IV. The vial on hand is labeled 1 ml/ 10 mg. The nurse should administer:

A. 8 minims
B. 10 minims
C. 12 minims
D. 15 minims

Answer: (C) 12 minims
Using ratio and proportion 8 mg/10 mg = X minims/15 minims 10 X= 120 X = 12 minims The nurse will administer 12 minims intravenously equivalent to 8mg Morphine Sulfate

108. Joey asks the nurse why he is receiving the injection of Morphine after he was hospitalized for severe anginal pain. The nurse replies that it:

A. Will help prevent erratic heart beats
B. Relieves pain and decreases level of anxiety
C. Decreases anxiety
D. Dilates coronary blood vessels

Answer: (B) Relieves pain and decreases level of anxiety
Morphine is a specific central nervous system depressant used to relieve the pain associated with myocardial infarction. It also decreases anxiety and apprehension and prevents cardiogenic shock by decreasing myocardial oxygen demand.

109. Oxygen 3L/min by nasal cannula is prescribed for Joey who is admitted to the hospital for chest pain. The nurse institutes safety precautions in the room because oxygen:

A. Converts to an alternate form of matter
B. Has unstable properties
C. Supports combustion
D. Is flammable

Answer: (C) Supports combustion
The nurse should know that Oxygen is necessary to produce fire, thus precautionary measures are important regarding its use.

110. Myra is ordered laboratory tests after she is admitted to the hospital for angina. The isoenzyme test that is the most reliable early indicator of myocardial insult is:

A. SGPT
B. LDH
C. CK-MB
D. AST

Answer: (C) CK-MB
The cardiac marker, Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme levels, especially the MB sub-unit which is cardio-specific, begin to rise in 3-6 hours, peak in 12-18 hours and are elevated 48 hours after the occurrence of the infarct. They are therefore most reliable in assisting with early diagnosis. The cardiac markers elevate as a result of myocardial tissue damage.

111. An early finding in the EKG of a client with an infarcted mycardium would be:

A. Disappearance of Q waves
B. Elevated ST segments
C. Absence of P wave
D. Flattened T waves

Answer: (B) Elevated ST segments
This is a typical early finding after a myocardial infarct because of the altered contractility of the heart. The other choices are not typical of MI.

112. Jose, who had a myocardial infarction 2 days earlier, has been complaining to the nurse about issues related to his hospital stay. The best initial nursing response would be to:

A. Allow him to release his feelings and then leave him alone to allow him to regain his composure
B. Refocus the conversation on his fears, frustrations and anger about his condition
C. Explain how his being upset dangerously disturbs his need for rest
D. Attempt to explain the purpose of different hospital routines

Answer: (B) Refocus the conversation on his fears, frustrations and anger about his condition
This provides the opportunity for the client to verbalize feelings underlying behavior and helpful in relieving anxiety. Anxiety can be a stressor which can activate the sympathoadrenal response causing the release of catecholamines that can increase cardiac contractility and workload that can further increase myocardial oxygen demand.

113. Twenty four hours after admission for an Acute MI, Jose’s temperature is noted at 39.3 C. The nurse monitors him for other adaptations related to the pyrexia, including:

A. Shortness of breath
B. Chest pain
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Increased pulse rate

Answer: (D) Increased pulse rate
Fever causes an increase in the body’s metabolism, which results in an increase in oxygen consumption and demand. This need for oxygen increases the heart rate, which is reflected in the increased pulse rate. Increased BP, chest pain and shortness of breath are not typically noted in fever.

114. Jose, who is admitted to the hospital for chest pain, asks the nurse, “Is it still possible for me to have another heart attack if I watch my diet religiously and avoid stress?” The most appropriate initial response would be for the nurse to:

A. Suggest he discuss his feelings of vulnerability with his physician.
B. Tell him that he certainly needs to be especially careful about his diet and lifestyle.
C. Avoid giving him direct information and help him explore his feelings
D. Recognize that he is frightened and suggest he talk with the psychiatrist or counselor.

Answer: (C) Avoid giving him direct information and help him explore his feelings
To help the patient verbalize and explore his feelings, the nurse must reflect and analyze the feelings that are implied in the client’s question. The focus should be on collecting data to minister to the client’s psychosocial needs.

115. Ana, 55 years old, is admitted to the hospital to rule out pernicious anemia. A Schilling test is ordered for Ana. The nurse recognizes that the primary purpose of the Schilling test is to determine the client’s ability to:

A. Store vitamin B12
B. Digest vitamin B12
C. Absorb vitamin B12
D. Produce vitamin B12

Answer: (C) Absorb vitamin B12
Pernicious anemia is caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 in the stomach due to a lack of intrinsic factor in the gastric juices. In the Schilling test, radioactive vitamin B12 is administered and its absorption and excretion can be ascertained through the urine.

116. Ana is diagnosed to have Pernicious anemia. The physician orders 0.2 mg of Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) IM. Available is a vial of the drug labeled 1 ml= 100 mcg. The nurse should administer:

A. 0.5 ml
B. 1.0 ml
C. 1.5 ml
D. 2.0 ml

Answer: (D) 2.0 ml
First convert milligrams to micrograms and then use ratio and proportion (0.2 mg= 200 mcg) 200 mcg : 100 mcg= X ml : ml 100 X= 200 X = 2 ml. Inject 2 ml. to give 0.2 mg of Cyanocobalamin.

117. Health teachings to be given to a client with Pernicious Anemia regarding her therapeutic regimen concerning Vit. B12 will include:

A. Oral tablets of Vitamin B12 will control her symptoms
B. IM injections are required for daily control
C. IM injections once a month will maintain control
D. Weekly Z-track injections provide needed control

Answer: (C) IM injections once a month will maintain control
Deep IM injections bypass B12 absorption defect in the stomach due to lack of intrinsic factor, the transport carrier component of gastric juices. A monthly dose is usually sufficient since it is stored in active body tissues such as the liver, kidney, heart, muscles, blood and bone marrow

118. The nurse knows that a client with Pernicious Anemia understands the teaching regarding the vitamin B12 injections when she states that she must take it:

A. When she feels fatigued
B. During exacerbations of anemia
C. Until her symptoms subside
D. For the rest of her life

Answer: (D) For the rest of her life
Since the intrinsic factor does not return to gastric secretions even with therapy, B12 injections will be required for the remainder of the client’s life.

119. Arthur Cruz, a 45 year old artist, has recently had an abdominoperineal resection and colostomy. Mr. Cruz accuses the nurse of being uncomfortable during a dressing change, because his “wound looks terrible.” The nurse recognizes that the client is using the defense mechanism known as:

A. Reaction Formation
B. Sublimation
C. Intellectualization
D. Projection

Answer: (D) Projection
Projection is the attribution of unacceptable feelings and emotions to others which may indicate the patients nonacceptance of his condition.

120. When preparing to teach a client with colostomy how to irrigate his colostomy, the nurse should plan to perform the procedure:

A. When the client would have normally had a bowel movement
B. After the client accepts he had a bowel movement
C. Before breakfast and morning care
D. At least 2 hours before visitors arrive

Answer: (A) When the client would have normally had a bowel movement
Irrigation should be performed at the time the client normally defecated before the colostomy to maintain continuity in lifestyle and usual bowel function/habit.