What action should the nurse take to assess the pharyngeal reflex on a child?
- A. Ask the client to swallow.
- B. Pull down on the lower eyelid.
- C. Shine a light toward the bridge of the nose.
- D. Stimulate the back of the throat with a tongue depressor.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The pharyngeal (gag) reflex is tested by touching the back of the throat with an object, such as a tongue depressor. A positive response to this reflex is considered normal. Asking the client to swallow assesses the swallowing reflex. To assess the palpebral conjunctiva, the nurse would pull down and evert the lower eyelid. The corneal light reflex is tested by shining a penlight toward the bridge of the nose at a distance of 12 to 15 inches (light reflection should be symmetrical in both corneas).
You may also like to solve these questions
A visiting home care nurse finds a client unconscious in the bedroom. The client has a history of abusing the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline. The nurse should immediately conduct which assessment?
- A. Pulse
- B. Respirations
- C. Blood pressure
- D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In an emergency situation, the nurse should determine breathlessness first and then assess for a pulse. Blood pressure would be assessed after these assessments are performed. Urinary output is also important but is not the priority at this time.
When a client experiences frequent runs of ventricular tachycardia, the primary health care provider prescribes flecainide. Because of the effects of the medication, which nursing intervention is specific to this client's safety?
- A. Monitor the client's urinary output.
- B. Assess the client for neurological problems.
- C. Ensure that the bed rails remain in the up position.
- D. Monitor the client's vital signs and electrocardiogram (ECG) frequently.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Flecainide is an antidysrhythmic medication that slows conduction and decreases excitability, conduction velocity, and automaticity. However, the nurse must monitor for the development of a new or worsening dysrhythmia. Options 1, 2, and 3 are components of standard care but are not specific to this medication.
The nurse has a prescription to administer hydroxyzine to a client by the intramuscular route. Before administering the medication, what information should the nurse share with the client?
- A. Excessive salivation is a side effect.
- B. There will be some pain at the injection site.
- C. There should be relief from nausea within 5 minutes.
- D. The client may experience increased agitation for about 2 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydroxyzine is an antiemetic and sedative/hypnotic that may be used in conjunction with opioid analgesics for added effect. The injection can be painful. Hydroxyzine causes dry mouth and drowsiness as side effects. Agitation is not a usual side effect. Medications administered by the intramuscular route generally take 20 to 30 minutes to become effective.
A client with a posterior wall bladder injury has had surgical repair and placement of a suprapubic catheter. What intervention should the nurse plan to implement to prevent complications associated with the use of this catheter?
- A. Monitor urine output every shift.
- B. Measure specific gravity once a shift.
- C. Encourage a high intake of oral fluids.
- D. Avoid kinking of the catheter tubing.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A complication after surgical repair of the bladder is disruption of sutures caused by tension on them from urine buildup. The nurse prevents this from happening by ensuring that the catheter is able to drain freely. This involves basic catheter care, including keeping the tubing free from kinks, keeping the tubing below the level of the bladder, and monitoring the flow of urine frequently. Monitoring urine output every shift is insufficient to detect decreased flow from catheter kinking. Measurement of urine specific gravity and a high oral fluid intake do not prevent complications of bladder surgery.
A client is receiving cisplatin. On assessment of the client, which findings indicate that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. Tinnitus
- B. Increased appetite
- C. Excessive urination
- D. Yellow halos in front of the eyes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cisplatin is an antineoplastic medication. An adverse effect related to the administration of cisplatin is ototoxicity with hearing loss. The nurse should assess for this adverse reaction when administering this medication. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not adverse effects of this medication.