Nokea
A client who has sustained a neck injury is unresponsive and pulseless. What should the emergency department nurse do to open the client's airway?
- A. Insert oropharyngeal airway.
- B. Tilt the head and lift the chin.
- C. Place in the recovery position.
- D. Stabilize the skull and push up the jaw.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The health care team uses the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway until a radiograph confirms that the client's cervical spine is stable to avoid potential aggravation of a cervical spine injury. Options 1 and 2 require manipulation of the spine to open the airway, and option 3 can be ineffective for opening the airway.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disk who is experiencing low back pain. Which position should the nurse place the client in to minimize the pain?
- A. Supine with the knees slightly raised
- B. High Fowler's position with the foot of the bed flat
- C. Semi-Fowler's position with the foot of the bed flat
- D. Semi-Fowler's position with the knees slightly raised
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with low back pain are often more comfortable in the semi-Fowler's position with the knees raised sufficiently to flex the knees (William's position). This relaxes the muscles of the lower back and relieves pressure on the spinal nerve root. Keeping the bed flat or lying in a supine position with the knees raised would excessively stretch the lower back. Keeping the foot of the bed flat will enhance extension of the spine.
A client states, 'I'm sure I have restless leg syndrome.' The nurse determines that the client is in need of further teaching on the condition when the client identifies the presence of which characteristics? Select all that apply.
- A. A heavy feeling in the legs
- B. Burning sensations in the limbs
- C. Symptom relief when lying down
- D. Decreased ability to move the legs
- E. Symptoms that are worse in the morning
- F. Feeling the need to move the limbs repeatedly
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Restless leg syndrome is characterized by leg paresthesia associated with an irresistible urge to move. The client complains of intense burning or 'crawling-type' sensations in the limbs and subsequently feels the need to move the limbs repeatedly to relieve the symptoms. The symptoms are worse in the evening and night when the client is still.
A client's telemetry monitor displays ventricular tachycardia. Upon reaching the client's bedside, which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Call a code.
- B. Prepare for cardioversion.
- C. Prepare to defibrillate the client.
- D. Check the client's level of consciousness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Determining unresponsiveness is the first assessment action to take. When a client is in ventricular tachycardia, there is a significant decrease in cardiac output. However, assessing for unresponsiveness helps determine whether the client is affected by the decreased cardiac output. If the client is unconscious, then cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initiated.
The nurse has admitted a client diagnosed with gestational hypertension who is in labor. The nurse monitors the client closely for which complication of gestational hypertension?
- A. Seizures
- B. Hallucinations
- C. Placenta previa
- D. Altered respiratory status
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gestational hypertension can lead to preeclampsia and eclampsia; therefore, a major complication of gestational hypertension is seizures. Hallucinations, placenta previa, and altered respiratory status are not directly associated with gestational hypertension.
During the postoperative period, the client who underwent a pelvic exenteration reports pain in the calf area. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Ask the client to walk and observe the gait.
- B. Lightly massage the calf area to relieve the pain.
- C. Check the calf area for temperature, color, and size.
- D. Administer PRN morphine sulfate as prescribed for postoperative pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse monitors the postoperative client for complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and wound infection. Pain in the calf area could indicate a deep vein thrombosis. Change in color, temperature, or size of the client's calf could also indicate this complication. Options 1 and 2 could result in an embolus if in fact the client had a deep vein thrombosis. Administering pain medication for this client is not the appropriate nursing action since further assessment needs to take place.