Nursing Process Exam Questions

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Drop in blood pressure and rise in heart rate. After a splenectomy, the client is at risk for orthostatic hypotension due to decreased blood volume. A drop in blood pressure and a compensatory rise in heart rate are common orthostatic changes. This occurs because the body tries to maintain perfusion to vital organs. A rise in blood pressure and heart rate (Choice A) would not align with orthostatic changes. A rise in blood pressure and drop in heart rate (Choice B) is contradictory to the body's compensatory response to maintain perfusion. Therefore, the most supportive vital sign values for abnormal orthostatic changes in this client would be a drop in blood pressure and a rise in heart rate.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Calcium. Calcium is necessary for the chemical clotting process because it plays a crucial role in the activation of various clotting factors, leading to the formation of a blood clot. Without sufficient calcium, the clotting cascade would not be able to proceed effectively. Iron (choice A) is essential for red blood cell production, not clotting. Potassium (choice B) and Sodium (choice C) are important for various physiological functions but are not directly involved in the clotting process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Standard precautions include wearing gloves when there is a potential for contact with blood or body fluids. Emptying a bedpan involves contact with bodily fluids, thus gloves are necessary to prevent exposure to pathogens. Choice B is incorrect because wearing a gown and protective eyewear is not necessary for obtaining a urine specimen via catheterization unless there is a risk of splashing or spraying of fluids. Choice C is incorrect as needles should always be disposed of in a proper sharps container with the cap secured to prevent accidental needlestick injuries. Choice D is incorrect because applying eyedrops does not involve contact with blood or body fluids, so wearing gloves is not necessary according to standard precautions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because using the client's own words in quotation marks ensures accurate representation of their subjective data. It maintains the integrity of the information provided by the client and improves communication between healthcare providers. Paraphrasing (choice B) may lead to misinterpretation or distortion of the client's statements. Validating with the client's family (choice C) may introduce bias or inaccurate information. Recording with nonspecific words (choice D) decreases the clarity and specificity of the documentation, which is essential for effective communication and decision-making in healthcare.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Reassess the patient's pain level in 30 minutes. This is the priority action as it allows the nurse to evaluate the effectiveness of the acetaminophen in relieving the patient's headache. By reassessing the pain level, the nurse can determine if the medication is working or if further intervention is needed. A: Eliminating the headache from the care plan is not appropriate as the patient's comfort and pain relief should be a priority. B: Directing the nursing assistive personnel to inquire if the headache is relieved is not thorough assessment and does not provide direct evaluation of the patient's pain level. D: Revising the plan of care may be necessary based on the reassessment, but it is not the immediate priority compared to evaluating the patient's response to treatment.