When would it be appropriate for the nurse to administer a cathartic laxative to the patient? (Select all that apply.)
A) Partial small-bowel obstruction
B) Appendicitis
C) After having a baby
D) After a myocardial infarction (MI)
E) After anthelmintic therapy
C, D, E
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Laxative, or cathartic, drugs are indicated for the short-term relief of constipation; to prevent straining when it is clinically undesirable (such as after surgery, myocardial infarction, or obstetric delivery); to evacuate the bowel for diagnostic procedures; to remove ingested poisons from the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and as an adjunct in anthelmintic therapy when it is desirable to flush helminths from the GI tract. They are not indicated when a patient has an appendicitis or a partial small-bowel obstruction.
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The spleen is a highly vascularized organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. The main functions of the spleen are (Select all that apply)
a. Serve as reservoir for blood b. Destroy worn-out RBCs c. Promote phagocytosis d. Responsible for development of T Lymphocytes e. Continuously produce RBCs during lifetime
When providing preoperative teaching to a client scheduled to have abdominal surgery, the nurse should include:
1. changing the dressings. 2. turning, deep breathing, and coughing 3. assisting with the bed bath. 4. self-medication using a PCA pump.
A client with depression is to begin treatment with an antidepressant medication. In performing the initial assessment, what is the most important question for the nurse to ask?
1. "Are you allergic to any medications?" 2. "How long have you been depressed?" 3. "Have you had any thoughts about killing yourself?" 4. "How much alcohol do you consume during the week?"
Examples of informal education include
a. attending a workshop on coronary artery disease sponsored by the American Heart Association b. watching a television show about diabetes c. learning about food safety techniques in a high school economics food course d. joining a support group to help overcome an eating disorder