The nurse is caring for a client admitted with Guillain-Barré syndrome. On day three of hospitalization, his muscle weakness worsens, and he is no longer able to stand with support. He is also having difficulty swallowing and talking. The priority in his nursing care plan should be to prevent which of the following?
- A. Aspiration pneumonia
- B. Decubitus ulcers
- C. Bladder distention
- D. Hypertensive crisis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, making it the priority in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
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A 50-year-old client is admitted with the diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma. Which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect the client to have?
- A. Severe eye pain
- B. Constant blurred vision
- C. Severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting
- D. Reports of seeing halos around objects
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Open-angle glaucoma is characterized by halos around objects due to increased intraocular pressure, not severe pain or headaches.
A resident of a long-term care facility tells the nurse, 'I'm having a hard time hearing people talk and can't understand the voices on TV.' Which action is most appropriate?
- A. Teach the client about eliminating background noises in the room.
- B. Assess the client's hearing and use an otoscope for examination.
- C. Schedule an appointment with the HCP for bilateral ear irrigations.
- D. Instruct the client to look at the speaker's lips to decipher words.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should assess the client's hearing and perform an otoscopic examination to verify symptoms and identify the cause. Other actions follow assessment.
Which assessment technique should the nurse use to assess the client's optic nerve?
- A. Have the client identify different smells.
- B. Have the client discriminate between sugar and salt.
- C. Have the client read the Snellen chart.
- D. Have the client say 'ah' to assess the rise of the uvula.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The optic nerve (cranial nerve II) is assessed by visual acuity tests like the Snellen chart. Smells (olfactory), taste (facial/glossopharyngeal), and uvula movement (vagus) involve other nerves.
The client is scheduled for ear surgery. Which statement indicates the client needs more preoperative teaching concerning the surgery?
- A. If I have to sneeze or blow my nose, I will do it with my mouth open.
- B. I may get dizzy after the surgery, so I must be careful when walking.
- C. I will probably have some hearing loss after surgery, but hearing will return.
- D. I can shampoo my hair the day after surgery as long as I am careful.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Shampooing the day after ear surgery risks water entry and infection; typically, hair washing is delayed. Open-mouth sneezing, dizziness, and temporary hearing loss are correct.
The nurse is assessing the older adult client with otosclerosis. Which diagnostic characteristics should the nurse associate with otosclerosis?
- A. Bone conduction is greater than air conduction.
- B. Hearing aids are not effective in restoring hearing.
- C. Surgical restoration of hearing is not possible.
- D. Serial audiograms show progressive hearing loss.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Otosclerosis impairs the air conduction of sound waves; therefore, bone conduction is typically greater than air conduction. Hearing aids and surgical restoration (stapedectomy) are effective, and progressive hearing loss is detected by serial audiograms.