A nurse is working on a health care cost analysis related to total knee arthroplasty in the treatment of osteoarthritis. What should the nurse cite as a priority reason to reduce surgery wait times for clients requiring joint replacement?

A 24-year-old woman undergoing a premarital screening test is found to have elevated levels of AST, ALT, and IgG, but no antibody-specific markers for viral hepatitis. A liver biopsy reveals inflammation and cellular damage. Which treatment is most likely to be effective for her?

Following a motorcycle accident which resulted in bilateral femoral fractures, a client has been placed in skeletal traction. The health care providers would recognize which risk is priority to assess for regularly?

The mother of 6-year-old male and female fraternal twins has brought her son to see a pediatrician because he is nearly 4 inches shorter than his sister. Which phenomenon would the physician most likely suspect as contributing factor to the boy’s short stature?

A 36-year-old female who has experienced diverse symptoms for several years has finally had her health problems attributed to scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), and has committed herself to learning as much about the disease as she can. Which statement would her nurse want to correct or clarify?

Which recent admission to an emergency department is most likely to be diagnosed with a greenstick fracture?

A client with severe dermatitis from poison ivy has been prescribed prednisone, a corticosteroid, for the treatment of his skin condition. The client has been informed to gradually taper off rather than abruptly stop the prednisone. What is the most accurate rationale for this dosing protocol?

The nurse is caring for a client with severe acute pancreatitis. Which interventions should the nurse prioritize? Select all that apply.

A client with pancreatic cancer is admitted for portal hypertension and is symptomatic with ascites. Following paracentesis and removal of 7.5 L of ascitic fluid, the nurse should anticipate that the physician will order which medication to assist in maintaining an effective circulating fluid volume?

During assessment of a client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the nurse hears a friction rub when the stethoscope is placed over the heart. Which complication of SLE will the nurse document in the medical records and report to the health care provider?