Assessment Alerts
A post-op client suddenly develops a rigid, board-like abdomen. This finding is most concerning for what complication?
What is Peritonitis?
A client taking Protonix asks when they should take it for the best effect in reducing acid production. It should be taken when?
What is before meals?
A client with kidney failure has peaked T waves and muscle weakness. These are classic symptoms of what electrolyte disorder?
What is hyperkalemia?
A client with suspected meningitis reports severe headache and pain when the neck is flexed. This classic sign is known as what?
Nuchal rigidity
Crohn’s disease often causes patchy inflammation throughout the GI tract, producing what characteristic bowel appearance?
What is cobblestone appearance?
A diabetic client becomes shaky and diaphoretic with a glucose of 64 mg/dL. The nurse should immediately give how much fast-acting carbohydrate?
What is 15g?
In a limb injury assessment, the nurse cannot palpate the radial pulse distal to the injury. This indicates what emergency condition?
What is compartment syndrome?
A diabetic client's blood sugar is 256 prior to their meal. Which type of insulin should be given?
What is rapid or short acting insulin?
A client with hypokalemia is at risk for impaired GI motility. The greatest concern is the development of what?
What is a bowel obstruction?
A client with a left-sided stroke has slow responses and difficulty understanding speech. This is characteristic of what problem?
What is aphasia?
This GI disorder is caused by the backward flow of gastric contents into the esophagus, often leading to heartburn after meals.
What is GERD?
This pituitary hormone stimulates the thyroid gland, and elevated levels typically occur in primary hypothyroidism.
What is TSH?
A client reports severe LLQ abdominal pain with frequent bloody diarrhea. These symptoms point toward what diagnosis?
What is ulcerative colitis?
The nurse prepares to give IV potassium. To prevent cardiac complications, the nurse knows this medication must always be what?
What is diluted or given slowly?
To treat cerebral edema from increased ICP, which IV solution is administered to pull fluid out of cells?
What is 3% NaCl?
Myasthenia gravis causes increasing weakness because antibodies block which receptor site?
What are acetylcholine receptors?
This lab value is monitored closely in clients with pancreatitis because autodigestion of the pancreas causes it to rise dramatically.
What is serum lipase?
Moon face, truncal obesity, and purple striae are classic signs of this endocrine disorder caused by excess cortisol.
What is Cushing's?
A stroke client suddenly exhibits abnormal flexion posturing toward the body. This is a sign of what?
What is increased ICP?
A chemotherapy patient reports persistent nausea. Which medication is commonly given to manage this symptom?
What is Zofran (ondansetron)?
This electrolyte in low levels can cause positive Trousseau’s and Chvostek’s signs due to increased neuromuscular excitability.
What is calcium?
Multiple sclerosis damages nerve conduction because of destruction of what?
What is the myelin sheath?
A client with suspected peptic ulcer disease who develops sudden severe abdominal pain and rigid board-like abdomen may be experiencing this life-threatening complication.
What is perforation?
High fever, severe tachycardia, hypertension, and agitation following thyroid surgery or infection may indicate this life-threatening condition.
What is thyroid storm?
A long-term COPD patient shows enlarged, bulbous fingertips. This chronic finding is typically caused by what?
What is hypoxia?
A client having an acute asthma attack needs immediate airway relief. Which rescue inhaler is used?
What is Albuterol?
A client with chronic alcoholism is at high risk for this electrolyte imbalance that can lead to torsades de pointes, muscle weakness, and refractory hypokalemia.
What is hypomagnesemia?
This first-line medication combination increases dopamine availability but may cause dyskinesias with long-term use.
What is carbidopa-levodopa?
A client with recent travel develops hepatitis A. This infection is spread through what route?
What is fecal-oral route?
Clients with adrenal insufficiency are taught never to skip doses of this medication because abrupt withdrawal can trigger an Addisonian crisis.
What is steroids?