health assessment exam 2 test bank Related

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A nurse is caring for a patient who has just had a stroke. Which of the following should the nurse monitor for?

  • A. Severe headache
  • B. Dehydration
  • C. Respiratory depression
  • D. Sudden loss of vision
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Respiratory depression. After a stroke, the patient may experience impaired breathing due to neurological damage affecting the respiratory center in the brain. Monitoring for signs of respiratory depression, such as shallow breathing or decreased oxygen saturation, is crucial to prevent respiratory failure. Severe headache (A) may be a symptom of stroke but is not the highest priority for monitoring. Dehydration (B) is important to prevent but not typically a direct consequence of stroke. Sudden loss of vision (D) may occur with certain types of strokes but is not as critical to monitor as respiratory depression.