Practice Question
A nurse is assessing a client who has a fracture of the femur. The nurse obtains vital signs on admission and again in 2 hours. Which of the following changes in assessment should indicate to the nurse that the client could be developing a serious complication?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Increased respiratory rate from 18 to 44/min.
Rationale:
⬖ A sudden rise in respiratory rate suggests fat embolism syndrome after long bone fractures.
⬖ Fat emboli can lodge in pulmonary circulation, impairing oxygenation.
⬖ Other symptoms include dyspnea, confusion, and petechiae.
⬖ Immediate recognition allows for oxygen therapy and supportive measures.
⬖ Minor temperature, BP, or HR changes are not as urgent as acute respiratory distress.
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This question is from Med surg exam(Broward college) which contains 45 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new short-leg cast on his lower leg to treat an ankle fracture. Which of the following findings requires immediate notification of the provider?
Answer Choices:
A. Moderate level of pain
B. Dependent edema distal to the cast
C. Itching of the distal foot
D. Inability to flex the toes of the casted foot
Which of the following actions should the nurse take immediately to prevent complications?
Answer Choices:
A. Encourage the patient to cross their legs while dressing to reduce strain on the hip joint.
B. Allow the patient to continue dressing independently to promote mobility.
C. Stop the patient immediately and reinforce hip precautions, advising against hip flexion greater than 90 degrees.
D. Instruct the patient to bend forward slowly and use both hands to pull up the socks.
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?
Answer Choices:
A. Apply an ice pack to the casted leg.
B. Perform a neurovascular assessment.
C. Provide reassurance to the client and parents.
D. Explain the discharge instructions to the client and parents.
A nurse is assessing a patient who is 2 plays post-total hip arthroplasty (THA). The patient reports sudden severe hip pain while repositioning in bed. Upon examination, the nurse notes that the affected leg appears shortened and externally rotated Which additional finding would confirm th.at the patient has experienced a hip dislocation?
Answer Choices:
A. Increased hip range of motion and absence of pain
B. Reports of hearing a "pop" at the time of pain onset
C. Ability to bear weight on the affected leg without discomfort
D. Symmetric leg length with normal alignment
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an arthroplasty. The nurse asks client to state if he understands the procedure that is being performed. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the procedure?
Answer Choices:
A. This procedure determines the extent of joint damage."
B. This procedure will fuse my joint to reduce my pain."
C. This procedure will replace my joint to improve function."
D. This procedure will prevent further joint damage."
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: General Exams
- Domain: Medical-surgical📚
- Answer Choices: 4