While providing care for a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome, the nurse conducts a neurological assessment every four hours. Which finding from the assessment requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Profuse sweating.
- B. Weakness in the lower legs.
- C. Loss of sensation at T-8.
- D. Leg pain that worsens at night.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of sensation at T-8 indicates potential progression of Guillain-Barre syndrome, risking paralysis, and requires immediate intervention.
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A patient has arrived at the emergency department reporting intermittent fever and night sweats for the past three weeks and has developed a cough that is productive with small amounts of blood. What should be the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Obtain a sputum sample.
- B. Arrange transport for radiographic imaging.
- C. Move the patient into airborne isolation.
- D. Collect specimens for blood cultures.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis require immediate airborne isolation to prevent transmission.
The nurse is preparing a client for discharge who was recently diagnosed with Addison's disease. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in this client's discharge teaching plan?
- A. Take prescribed cortisone accurately.
- B. Use a walker when weakness occurs.
- C. Avoid extreme environmental temperatures.
- D. Increase daily intake of sodium in diet.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Accurate cortisone administration is vital to manage Addison's disease and prevent adrenal crisis.
An elderly patient is admitted with an acute onset of diverticulitis, and intravenous antibiotic therapy is started. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Elevate the head of the bed.
- B. Initiate a bowel prep protocol for surgery.
- C. Educate the patient on increasing dietary fiber.
- D. Maintain the patient's NPO status.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Maintaining NPO status rests the bowel, promoting healing during acute diverticulitis.
The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic pancreatitis who reports persistent gnawing abdominal pain. What assessment data is most important for the nurse to obtain to help manage the patient's pain?
- A. Activity level of bowel sounds.
- B. Level and amount of physical activity.
- C. Eating patterns of dietary intake.
- D. Color and consistency of feces.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Eating patterns identify foods that exacerbate pancreatitis pain, guiding dietary modifications.
A patient with a full-thickness burn covering 40% of their body is exhibiting purulent drainage at the wound site. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, which of the patient's laboratory values should the nurse review?
- A. Blood pH level
- B. Hematocrit
- C. White blood cell (WBC) count
- D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WBC count indicates infection, relevant to purulent drainage in a burn wound.
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