The nurse notes frank red blood in the drainage container from the nasogastric (NG) tube of a client who is 2 days post-esophagogastrostomy. Which is the nurse's priority intervention?
a. Irrigate the NG tube with cold saline.
b. Document the drainage in the chart.
c. Reposition the tube in the opposite nostril.
d. Assess the client's vital signs and abdo-men.
D
The initial nasogastric drainage appears bloody but should turn yellow-green by the end of the first postoperative day. If the bloody color continues, this may indicate bleeding at the suture line. The nurse should assess the client further, then should notify the provider. If the tube is draining, it is not necessary to irrigate it. Repositioning the tube will not change the drainage. In addition, repositioning the tube might cause more damage to the suture line.
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A woman in the OB clinic complains of multiple, fluid-filled blisters in her genital area that make walking extremely painful. What information should the nurse provide this patient? (Select all that apply.)
A. "There are serious adverse fetal effects of this disease." B. "There is no cure for herpes simplex virus infection." C. "Transmission to your baby causes eye infections." D. "You can start antiretroviral medications immediately." E. "We will take blood cultures for a bacterial infection."
In an experimental design, the most serious threat to internal validity typically is:
A) Mortality B) Selection C) Maturation D) History
A nursing instructor explains that for learning to truly take place, the information must be reinforced. A student demonstrates understanding by saying:
1. "I must first teach patients about the history of their conditions." 2. "I need to make sure the patient knows what medications will be prescribed." 3. "I must return to the most important topic and teach it again last so the patient will remember it." 4. "I must slowly explain the disease process to the patient."
Which theory was developed by Walter Canon and is based on the body's fight or flight reaction?
A) Homeostasis B) Genetic principles C) Natural history of disease D) Stress and adaptation