An adult man fell off a ladder and hit his head and lost consciousness. After regaining consciousness several minutes later, he was drowsy and had trouble staying awake. He is admitted to the hospital for evaluation. The nursing care plan will most likely include which of the following?
- A. Elevate head of bed 15 to 30 degrees
- B. Encourage fluids to 1000 mL every eight hours
- C. Assist the client to cough and deep breathe every two hours
- D. Perform chest physical therapy every four hours while awake
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed 15 to 30 degrees promotes gravity drainage of fluid and reduces cerebral edema. Coughing, forcing fluids, and chest physical therapy may increase intracranial pressure and are contraindicated.
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The nurse is concerned that the Caucasian client experiencing a stroke may have impaired hearing. Which observations of the client's behavior prompted this concern? Select all that apply.
- A. Nods and agrees to all statements made by the nurse
- B. Asks for more information about the therapy schedule
- C. Slow to respond verbally but answers questions appropriately
- D. Speaks in an excessively loud tone of voice
- E. Leans in toward the nurse when the nurse speaks
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Nodding and agreeing to all statements, speaking loudly, and leaning toward the speaker suggest hearing impairment. Asking for schedule details and slow but appropriate responses do not indicate hearing issues.
The client is diagnosed with glaucoma. Which symptom should the nurse expect the client to report?
- A. Loss of peripheral vision.
- B. Floating spots in the vision.
- C. A yellow haze around everything.
- D. A curtain coming across vision.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Glaucoma causes loss of peripheral vision due to optic nerve damage from increased intraocular pressure. Floaters suggest vitreous issues, yellow haze is unrelated, and a curtain indicates retinal detachment.
The client receives a prescription for sodium fluoride for otosclerosis and asks the nurse, 'What will this medication do for my ears?' Which response by the nurse is correct?
- A. Sodium fluoride prevents the breakdown of bone cells and hardens the bone in the ear.
- B. Sodium fluoride causes the breakdown of bone cells and softens the bone in the ear.
- C. Sodium fluoride blocks the effect of histamine and dries the fluid in the ear.
- D. Sodium fluoride causes the production of histamine and increases the fluid in the ear.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The medication, sodium fluoride, retards bone reabsorption (prevents the breakdown of bone cells) and promotes calcification (hardening) of the bony lesions in the ear.
A client who is recovering from a spinal cord injury complains of blurred vision and a severe headache. His blood pressure is 210/140. The most appropriate initial action for the nurse to take is to:
- A. check for bladder distention.
- B. place him in the Trendelenburg position.
- C. administer PRN pain medication.
- D. position him on his left side.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms suggest autonomic dysreflexia, often triggered by bladder distention, requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
Which intervention should the nurse include when conducting an in-service to the ancillary nursing staff on caring for elderly clients addressing normal developmental sensory changes?
- A. Ensure curtains are open when having the client read written material.
- B. Provide a variety of written material when discussing a procedure.
- C. Assist the client when getting out of the bed and sitting in the chair.
- D. Request a telephone for the hearing impaired for all elderly clients.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Open curtains maximize light, compensating for age-related vision decline. Varied materials, mobility assistance, and hearing-impaired phones are less universally applicable.