Nokea
The primary healthcare provider (PHCP) is preparing to intubate a client. The PHCP prescribes succinylcholine. The nurse understands that this medication is intended to
- A. Sedate the client during the procedure
- B. Decrease oral and airway secretions
- C. Increase heart rate in case of a vagal response
- D. Cause skeletal muscle paralysis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker used to cause skeletal muscle paralysis, facilitating intubation. It does not sedate, reduce secretions, or increase heart rate.
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The nurse is planning staff education about cerebral infarcts. The nurse knows which of the following options is the most appropriate treatment for clients with acute cerebellar infarction presenting within 4.5 hours of symptom onset?
- A. Thrombectomy
- B. Ventriculostomy
- C. Decompressive suboccipital craniotomy
- D. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Thrombolysis with rtPA is the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours.
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for a 20-year-old female client
Item 6 of 6
ED Triage Note
History And Physical
Physician Orders
0912: Client was brought to the ED by her two college roommates 'because she was not acting
right.' The roommate reports that she went to bed the night before reporting stiffness in her
neck and a headache. She attributed it to being under pressure with final exams and having
poor sleep the previous several days. The client apparently took non-prescribed lorazepam
from another roommate to assist her with sleep. The roommate reported recently having
influenza and is unsure if she became infected. It is reported that she declined the influenza
vaccination when it was offered on campus. The roommate reports waking her with physical
stimuli and found her diaphoretic, hot to touch, and mumbling, saying she did not feel well.
Vital signs: T 103.4° F (39.7° C), P 112, RR 12, BP 116/86, pulse oximetry 95% on room air.
Click to highlight the findings below that indicate a worsening of the client's status: The client is lethargic and makes no purposeful movements. Does not respond to physical stimuli. Glasgow coma scale 10. Peripheral pulses 2+. The client's skin is pale and dry. Petechial rash on the torso. Vital signs: T 100.4° F (38° C), P 101, RR 12, BP 117/88, pulse oximetry reading 95%.
- A. Lethargic
- B. no purposeful movements
- C. does not respond to physical stimuli
- D. Glasgow coma scale 10
- E. petechial rash on the torso
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: These findings indicate worsening neurological status and possible progression of meningitis.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed carbidopa-levodopa for Parkinson's disease. The nurse should instruct the client that this medication may cause Select all that apply.
- A. Urine to appear darker
- B. Hallucinations
- C. Dizziness upon standing
- D. Dry, non-productive cough
- E. Painful rash that spreads and blisters
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: Carbidopa-levodopa can cause darker urine (due to metabolism), hallucinations (a CNS side effect), and dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). Dry cough and rashes are not typical side effects.
The following scenario applies to the next 1 items
The emergency department nurse is caring for a 27-year-old male client.
Item 1 of 1
Nurses' Notes
1500: Client reports an 'excruciating' headache right behind his left eye. He says the pain is 'pulsating' and worse when lying down. He reports sensitivity to lights and sounds. He reports getting these headaches daily for the past two weeks at about the same time. He states that the headache lasts one to two hours. On assessment, the client appears in moderate distress; he is alert, oriented, and has tearing in his left eye. His gait was steady as he paced around the exam room because having him sit down to obtain vital signs increased his pain. Lung sounds are clear; peripheral pulses were 2+. Normoactive bowel sounds. He reports his pain rated 9/10 on the Numerical Rating Scale.
The client is demonstrating clinical manifestations consistent with
- A. Cluster headache
- B. Tension headache
- C. Trigeminal neuralgia
- D. Migraine headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms (excruciating unilateral headache, tearing, sensitivity to light/sound) are characteristic of cluster headaches.
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for a 26-year-old female client.
Item 6 of 6
• History and Physical
1702: The client reports a headache that has persisted for 48 hours. She describes the pain as constant, throbbing, and behind her left eye. She states that in the past six months, these headaches have occurred two to three times a month. The client reports visual disturbances, including flashes of light and blurred vision, often precede headaches. During the headache episodes, she experiences nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. She notes that stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods such as chocolate seem to trigger the headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide minimal relief. Her spouse reports new symptoms, stating that she became confused earlier in the day, had difficulty speaking, and had right arm weakness, all of which resolved before she arrived at the ED. Medical history of generalized anxiety and panic disorder for which she takes escitalopram 20 mg p.o. daily and buspirone 15 mg p.o. daily. Family history of ischemic stroke, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.
Physical Examination
Neurological exam: Steady gait and cranial nerves grossly intact. Phonophobia.
Pupils: 3 mm and brisk with some tearing in both eyes. Sensitive to pen light.
Head and neck examination: Denies sinus pain and full cervical range of motion.
Integumentary: Skin warm to touch and pale pink in tone.
Cardiovascular: Peripheral pulses 2+ and no peripheral edema.
Respiratory: Clear lung sounds bilaterally.
Gastrointestinal: Reports persistent nausea. Normoactive bowel sounds in all quadrants. No distention.
Psych: Anxious and in moderate distress. Cooperative.
Vital Signs: Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg Heart rate: 72 bpm Respiratory rate: 16 Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C) Oxygen saturation: 98% on room air
• Diagnostics Test Results
Head Computed Tomography (CT) scan
1739: No acute intracranial hemorrhage, mass effect, or midline shift identified. The ventricles and sulci are within normal limits. No evidence of acute ischemic changes.
• Nurses' Notes
1741: Client placed back in room following emergent CT scan of the head. The client is alert, fully oriented, cooperative, and slightly anxious. Reports 'throbbing' headache rated 7/10 on the Numerical Rating Scale. Endorses photophobia, requesting lights to be turned off. Glasgow coma scale is 15. Clear lung sounds bilaterally. Peripheral pulses 2+. Reports persistent nausea. Full range of motion in all extremities. A 20-gauge peripheral vascular access device was started in the left antecubital space.
The nurse makes a note in the nurses' notes and reviews the diagnostic test results. Complete the sentence below from the list of options. The client is most likely experiencing--------------------as evidenced by------------------and-----------------
- A. transient ischemic attack
- B. somatic anxiety symptoms
- C. ischemic stroke
- D. migraine headache
- E. photophobia
- F. throbbing headache
Correct Answer: D,E,F
Rationale: The client's presentation is most consistent with a migraine headache. Given the client's history of recurrent migraines, the persistent throbbing pain localized behind the left eye, nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia, the symptoms strongly align with a migraine rather than an alternative neurological or psychiatric condition.
While the client’s transient confusion and difficulty speaking raise concerns for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, a TIA typically resolves within 30 to 60 minutes and does not persist beyond 24 hours. A TIA is highly unlikely since the client’s headache has been ongoing for 48 hours. Furthermore, ischemic strokes typically present with persistent focal neurological deficits, which are absent on the client's neurological exam.
Although the client has a documented history of generalized anxiety and panic disorder, panic attacks do not last for extended durations and generally resolve within minutes to an hour. Additionally, panic-related somatic symptoms typically include shortness of breath, dizziness, chest discomfort, and a sense of impending doom, rather than the prolonged headache, visual disturbances, and nausea seen in this case.