A patient with a history of mitral valve disease suddenly develops
new-onset atrial fibrillation. What is the primary concern?
Risk of embolic stroke due to blood stasis in the atria.
A nurse is caring for a patient with hemophilia who has a bleeding
episode. What is the priority intervention?
Administer factor VIII replacement therapy.
A patient with advanced cirrhosis has a distended abdomen and
difficulty breathing. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Prepare for paracentesis to relieve ascites.
A nurse is caring for a patient with bacterial meningitis. What is the
most critical nursing precaution?
Implement droplet precautions and administer antibiotics promptly.
A patient with ulcerative colitis is experiencing frequent bloody
diarrhea and abdominal pain. What dietary instruction should the
nurse provide?
Avoid high-fiber foods and dairy products during exacerbations.
A nurse is assessing a patient with right-sided heart failure. What key
symptoms should be expected?
Peripheral edema, jugular vein distension, and ascites.
,A patient with a thyroid storm is experiencing extreme tachycardia
and hyperthermia. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Administer beta-blockers and cooling measures.
A nurse is caring for a patient with acute glomerulonephritis. What
recent medical history is most relevant?
Recent streptococcal infection.
A patient with a head injury develops bradycardia, hypertension, and
irregular respirations. What condition is suspected?
Cushing’s triad indicating increased intracranial pressure.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a large bowel obstruction. What is
the most concerning assessment finding?
Sudden relief of pain followed by signs of peritonitis, indicating
perforation.
A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome is developing respiratory
distress. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Prepare for intubation and mechanical ventilation.
A patient with SIADH is experiencing confusion and hyponatremia.
What is the priority intervention?
Restrict fluids and administer hypertonic saline if severe.
A nurse is caring for a patient with polycystic kidney disease. What
complication should be closely monitored?
Hypertension and renal failure.
A patient with HIV is started on antiretroviral therapy (ART). What is
the most important patient teaching?
Strict medication adherence is required to prevent drug resistance.
,A patient receiving chemotherapy develops a fever of 101°F (38.3°C).
What is the priority action?
Initiate neutropenic precautions and obtain blood cultures.
A nurse is monitoring a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA). What sign indicates an emergency?
Sudden severe back or abdominal pain, suggesting rupture.
A patient with Bell’s palsy is concerned about permanent facial
drooping. What should the nurse teach?
Most cases resolve completely within weeks to months.
A patient with pneumonia is started on IV antibiotics. What
assessment finding suggests a complication?
Worsening respiratory distress or pleuritic chest pain, indicating
possible pleural effusion.
A nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerin for chest pain. What
is the most important assessment?
Blood pressure, as nitroglycerin can cause hypotension.
A patient with a spinal cord injury at T6 is experiencing a sudden
severe headache and hypertension. What is the first nursing action?
Sit the patient upright and check for bladder distension or bowel
impaction.
A nurse is assessing a newborn with suspected neonatal abstinence
syndrome. What signs are expected?
High-pitched cry, irritability, tremors, and poor feeding.
A patient with an acute ischemic stroke is being evaluated for tPA
therapy. What is the most important exclusion criterion?
Recent major surgery or active bleeding.
, A nurse is caring for a child with intussusception. What classic
symptom should be expected?
Currant jelly stools and intermittent severe abdominal pain.
A patient with chronic alcoholism presents with confusion, ataxia,
and nystagmus. What condition should be suspected?
Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to thiamine deficiency.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a total hip replacement. What is
the priority post-op intervention?
Prevent hip flexion greater than 90 degrees to avoid dislocation.
A patient with a history of long-term NSAID use presents with black
tarry stools. What should the nurse suspect?
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has a sudden drop
in blood glucose levels. What is the appropriate action?
Administer dextrose solution to prevent hypoglycemia.
A nurse is assessing a patient with compartment syndrome. What is
the most critical assessment finding?
Severe pain unrelieved by opioids and decreased pulses.
A patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is started on heparin
therapy. What is the antidote for heparin overdose?
Protamine sulfate.
A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is concerned about
disease progression. What is the most critical complication?
Respiratory failure due to progressive muscle weakness.