Nursing textbooks medical-surgical practice questions set 22

Correct answer:

Exercise of the extremities includes extension and flexion of the knee and hip joints (similar to bicycle riding while lying on the side) unless contraindicated by type of surgical procedure (e.g., hip replacement). When the patient does leg exercises postoperatively, circulation is increased, which helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Leg exercises do not prevent pressure sores to the sacrum, or increase the patients level of consciousness. Leg exercises have the potential to increase strength and mobility, but are unlikely to make a change to muscle mass in the short term.

Correct answer:

Cellulitis is the most common infectious cause of limb swelling. The signs and symptoms include acute onset of swelling, localized redness, and pain; it is frequently associated with systemic signs of fever, chills, and sweating. The patient may be able to identify a trauma that accounts for the source of infection. Thrombocytopenia is a loss or decrease in platelets and increases a patients risk of bleeding; this problem would not cause these symptoms. Arterial insufficiency would present with ongoing pain related to activity. This patient does not have signs and symptoms of VTE.

Correct answer:

Kanamycin and neomycin are used before surgery to reduce intestinal bacteria. It is thought that this reduces the possibility of abdominal infection that may occur after surgery on the bowel. By destroying bacteria in the gut and washing it out with laxatives or enemas, the surgical area becomes as clean as possible before the operation. The drug is not used to control an infection preoperatively. It does help to reduce blood ammonia levels with hepatic coma, but this is not the reason for its use with this patient. The drug has no effect on preventing blood clots postoperatively.

Correct answer:

In pre-symptomatic testing, an individual has genetic testing to determine whether she or he carries a genetic mutation for a genetic disorder. Typically, individuals electing this testing are members of a family that exhibits a genetic disorder. An example of this would be genetic testing for Huntington's disease, an adult-onset condition characterized by progressive neurological degeneration. The gene responsible for Huntington's disease is 100% penetrant, that is, everyone who inherits this mutation will exhibit the disease and, since there is no cure, will die of the disease.

Correct answer:

This overlap therapy is required in patients who have been receiving heparin for anticoagulation and are to be switched to warfarin so that prevention of clotting is continuous. This overlapping is done purposefully to allow time for the blood levels of warfarin to rise, so that when the heparin is eventually discontinued, therapeutic anticoagulation levels of warfarin will have been achieved. Recommendations are to continue overlap therapy of the heparin and warfarin for at least 5 days; the heparin is stopped after day 5 when the international normalized ratio (INR) is above 2.

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Behavioral therapy is used to coach a client to engage in some form of distraction or perform relaxation or breathing exercises to overcome symptoms. Teaching the student how to use breathing techniques can be helpful during stress-inducing exams. Writing 'I can do this' on a card is a form of cognitive therapy and provides positive thinking. Use of meditation can be helpful in the management of generalized anxiety but is not practical in a classroom setting. Studying and preparing for exams is expected but is not a behavioral technique that is helpful during test-taking events.

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A blind person feels more secure and safe when assisted by someone who is sighted. The nurse should walk slightly ahead while allowing the client to hold onto the nurse's upper arm or elbow. Speaking before touching is an important care action in dealing with clients who have impaired vision but does not assist in ambulation. Providing a detailed description of the room may allow the client an image of the surroundings but is not as helpful in initial ambulation. Finding a perfect fit between guide dog and client is a lengthy process and should be pursued upon request of client.

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Skilled nursing care facilities provide skilled nursing and rehabilitative care to people who have the potential to regain function but need skilled observation and nursing care during an acute illness. Acute care facilities are for clients who have a higher level of acuity. Long-term acute care are for clients who require long-term wound care or ventilator support or who have other conditions that are potentially unstable but do not have rapid changes. Intermediate care facilities provide care for people who cannot care for themselves because of mental or physical disabilities.

Correct answer:

The most information about drug use and possible interactions is obtained when the patient brings all prescribed medications, OTC medications, and supplements to every health care appointment. The patient should discuss the use of any OTC medications with the health care provider and obtain all prescribed medications from the same pharmacy, but use of supplements and herbal medications also need to be considered in order to prevent drug-drug interactions. Use of a medication schedule will help the patient take medications as scheduled but will not prevent drug-drug interactions.

Correct answer:

Nausea is frequently experienced with the initiation of opioid therapy, and antiemetics usually are prescribed to treat this expected adverse effect. There is no indication that a different opioid is needed, although if the nausea persists, the health care provider may order a change of opioid. Although tolerance develops and the nausea will subside in about a week, it is not appropriate to allow the patient to continue to be nauseated. A clear liquid diet may decrease the nausea, but the best choice would be to administer the antiemetic medication and allow the patient to eat.