Nokea
A client admitted to the nursing unit with a closed head injury 6 hours ago has begun to vomit, and reports being dizzy and having a headache. Based on these data, which is the most important nursing action?
- A. Administering a prescribed antiemetic
- B. Notifying the primary health care provider of the client's condition
- C. Having the client rate the headache pain on a scale of 1 to 10
- D. Reminding the client to use the call bell when needing help to the bathroom
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client with a closed head injury is at risk of developing increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Increased ICP is evidenced by signs and symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness, and vomiting. Because of the implications of the client's manifestations, the most important nursing action is to notify the primary health care provider. Although the other nursing actions are not inappropriate, none of them address the critical issue of the potential of the client developing ICP.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client experiencing trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux) asks the nurse for a snack and something to drink. Which is the best selection the nurse should provide for the client?
- A. Hot cocoa with honey and toast
- B. Vanilla pudding and lukewarm milk
- C. Hot herbal tea with graham crackers
- D. Iced coffee and peanut butter and crackers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because mild tactile stimulation of the face of clients with trigeminal neuralgia can trigger pain, the client needs to eat or drink lukewarm, nutritious foods that are soft and easy to chew. Extremes of temperature will cause trigeminal pain.
The nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with pleurisy 48 hours ago. When auscultating the chest the nurse is unable to detect the pleural friction rub, which was auscultated on admission. This change in the client's condition confirms which event has occurred?
- A. The prescribed medication therapy has been effective.
- B. The client has been taking deep breaths as instructed.
- C. The effects of the inflammatory reaction at the site decreased.
- D. There is now an accumulation of pleural fluid in the inflamed area.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pleurisy is the inflammation of the visceral and parietal membranes. These membranes rub together during respiration and cause pain. Pleural friction rub is auscultated early in the course of pleurisy, before pleural fluid accumulates. Once fluid accumulates in the inflamed area, there is less friction between the visceral and parietal lung surfaces, and the pleural friction rub disappears. Options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect interpretations.
Which nursing question would elicit the most thorough assessment data regarding the client's recent sleeping patterns?
- A. Are you sleeping well at home?
- B. Did you get much sleep last night?
- C. May we talk about how you've been sleeping?
- D. Do you think you get enough sleep on a nightly basis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option 3 is a question and provides the client the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings. The remaining options could lead to a one-word answer that would not provide thorough assessment data. Additionally, one night of sleep may not tell the nurse how the pattern has been over time.
The nurse notes that a large number of clients reporting the presence of flulike symptoms are being seen in the clinic. Which recommendations should the nurse provide to these clients to minimize their risk for further illness? Select all that apply.
- A. Get plenty of rest.
- B. Increase intake of liquids.
- C. Get a flu shot immediately.
- D. Take antipyretics for fever.
- E. Consume a well-balanced diet.
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: Treatment for the flu includes getting rest, drinking fluids, and taking in nutritious foods and beverages. Medications such as antipyretics and analgesics may also be used for symptom management. Immunizations against influenza are a prophylactic measure and are not used to treat flu symptoms.
The nurse creates a care plan for a client receiving hemodialysis through an arteriovenous (AV) fistula in the right arm. The nurse includes which interventions in the plan to protect the AV fistula from injury? Select all that apply.
- A. Assess pulses and circulation proximal to the fistula.
- B. Palpate for thrills and auscultate for a bruit every 4 hours.
- C. Check for bleeding and infection at hemodialysis needle insertion sites.
- D. Avoid taking blood pressure or performing venipunctures in the extremity.
- E. Instruct the client not to carry heavy objects or anything that compresses the extremity.
- F. Instruct the client not to sleep in a position that places her or his body weight on top of the extremity.
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E,F
Rationale: An AV fistula is an internal anastomosis of an artery to a vein and is used as an access for hemodialysis. The nurse should implement the following to protect the fistula: palpate for thrills and auscultate for a bruit every 4 hours, check for bleeding and infection at hemodialysis needle insertion sites, avoid taking blood pressures or performing venipunctures in the extremity, instruct the client not to carry heavy objects or anything that compresses the extremity, instruct the client not to sleep in a position that places the body weight on top of the extremity, and the nurse should assess pulses and circulation distal to the fistula.