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A 19-year-old varsity soccer goalkeeper completes a screening exam. ECG shows sinus rhythm 48/min; BP 118/62 mm Hg. The student runs 5–6 days/week and denies syncope, chest pain, or exercise intolerance. Cardiac exam is normal. What should the nurse do?

A 55-year-old patient in urgent care reports 2 days of progressive abdominal pain and anorexia. Vitals: T 38.0°C (100.4°F), HR 96, BP 132/76, RR 16. Labs: WBC 13,200/µL. The patient denies vomiting. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect with uncomplicated diverticulitis? Which assessment finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?

A preceptor observes a new RN treating a stable patient with regular narrow-complex tachycardia at 185/min who remains alert and normotensive after unsuccessful vagal maneuvers. Which action shows correct medication administration?

Thirty minutes after a large-volume paracentesis removing 6.0 L, a patient with cirrhosis reports lightheadedness when turning in bed. Orders: vitals every 15 minutes for 1 hour, strict I&O, occlusive dressing, bedrest 1 hour, albumin 25% IV now, and 500 mL normal saline IV bolus only if systolic BP < 90 mmHg. Vitals: BP 94/56, HR 112, RR 18, SpO₂ 98% on room air. The dressing is dry with minimal serous strike-through. What is the nurse’s priority actioN?

A 56-year-old with cirrhosis arrives with large-volume hematemesis and pallor. Two large-bore IVs are placed. Orders pending include: octreotide infusion, pantoprazole IV bolus, ceftriaxone IV, and propranolol PO when stable. Which medication should the nurse administer immediately to help control the bleeding?

A 62-year-old adult arrives to the ED with 24 hours of abdominal pain, low-grade fever, and constipation. Pain began as a dull ache that localizes and worsens with movement. Vitals: T 100.8°F (38.2°C), HR 102, BP 138/82, RR 18, SpO2 99% room air. On exam, the abdomen is soft with localized tenderness and guarding in one quadrant; bowel sounds are normal. Based on this presentation, which finding is most consistent with acute diverticulitis?  

A patient with a history of ulcerative colitis presents with worsening abdominal pain and fatigue. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of an acute ulcerative colitis flare?

A 64-year-old with portal hypertension is admitted for coffee-ground emesis. After 1 L crystalloid and starting octreotide/ceftriaxone: BP 92/58 mm Hg, HR 126/min, RR 22/min, mentation intact, urine output 25 mL over 2 hours. Which measurement best indicates the patient is worsening and requires immediate escalation?

A patient with ascites due to cirrhosis is due for morning medications: furosemide 40 mg PO and spironolactone 100 mg PO. Potassium this morning is 3.1 mEq/L. Which single medication should the nurse hold?

A 32-year-old patient presents with painless oral ulcers, photosensitive rash, and morning stiffness in the hands. Urinalysis shows trace protein. The clinician wants one laboratory test to screen for suspected systemic lupus erythematosus before ordering more specific assays. Which test should be ordered first?