During the physical assessment, the nurse asks an elderly female patient if she experiences constipation. The nurse knows that
1. Elderly patients almost always abuse laxatives, which creates problems with constipation.
2. Aging patients always have difficulty having a bowel movement while hospitalized.
3. In elderly patients, the rectal sphincter has lost elasticity, which decreases the sensation of urgency.
4. It is common for intestinal peristalsis to slow down as a person ages, causing problems with constipation.
ANS: 4
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A postpartum client calls the nursery to report that her newborn's umbilical cord stump is draining and has a foul odor. The nurse's best response is:
1. "Take your newborn to the pediatrician." 2. "Cover the cord stump with gauze." 3. "Apply Betadine around the cord stump." 4. "This is normal during healing."
A patient tells the nurse that he has damaged cartilage in his knee. Which of the following is the nurse's best response to this patient?
1. "Did the doctor talk with you about having a knee replacement or other surgery?" 2. "It will take a few months for the damage to heal.". 3. "Exercise will increase the healing time for the cartilage.". 4. "That is considered a strain and will heal itself in a few weeks.".
After delivery, the vital signs should be checked routinely
A. every 5 minutes for 4 hours, then hourly. B. hourly for 8 hours, then every 8 hours. C. as ordered until stable, then every 4 hours. D. every 15 minutes until stable, then every shift.
Which pediatric diagnoses require the nurse to include interventions to treat chronic pediatric client pain in the plan of care? Select all that apply
1. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 2. Sickle cell disease 3. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 4. Cancer 5. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)