A 70-year-old female presents to the emergency department through triage with a noticeable facial droop and garbled speech. After having a few drinks at a local seafood restaurant, the client's husband noticed his wife's speech became difficult to understand.

Flow sheets

1915

Arrival at emergency department

1920

Vital Signs:

- Temperature: 98.2° F (36.8° C)

- Heart rate: 92 beats/minute

- Respirations: 24 breaths/minute

- Blood pressure: 210/98 mmHg

- Oxygen saturation: 95% on room air

Imaging studies

1935

Head CT scan results:

- No evidence of intracranial hemorrhage

- No evidence of acute disease

Orders

- Obtain CT scan of the head.

- Insert a large bore peripheral IV.

- Start normal saline infusion at 50 mL/hour.

The nurse administered tPA and conducted neurologic assessments every 15 minutes during the infusion.

The tPA infusion finished and the nurse performed neurologic assessments every 30 minutes for the 6 hours following the administration.

The client was noted to be stable with unchanged neurologic assessments.

The nurse begins to plan care for the client's recovery and identifies interdisciplinary team members who can assist with the client's recovery.

Select the interdisciplinary team members who should assist the client in recovery.

Occupational Therapist

Speech Therapist

Case manager

Physical therapist

Chief Nursing Officer

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B,C,D

- Choice A: Occupational therapist. This is correct because an occupational therapist can help the client with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, grooming, eating, and toileting. The client may have difficulty performing these tasks due to the facial droop and weakness caused by the stroke.

- Choice B: Speech therapist. This is correct because a speech therapist can help the client with communication and swallowing problems. The client has garbled speech, which indicates a possible aphasia or dysarthria. The client may also have dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing, due to the impaired coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing.

- Choice C: Case manager. This is correct because a case manager can coordinate the client's care and discharge planning. The case manager can arrange for referrals, home health services, equipment, and follow-up appointments as needed. The case manager can also provide education and support to the client and family.

- Choice D: Physical therapist. This is correct because a physical therapist can help the client with mobility and balance issues. The client may have hemiparesis or hemiplegia, which is weakness or paralysis of one side of the body. The physical therapist can assist the client with exercises, gait training, and assistive devices to improve the client's functional status.

- Choice E: Chief nursing officer. This is incorrect because a chief nursing officer is not directly involved in the client's recovery. A chief nursing officer is a senior-level executive who oversees the nursing staff and operations of a health care organization. A chief nursing officer may have a role in quality improvement, policy development, and strategic planning, but not in individual client care.

- Choice F: Pharmacy technician. This is incorrect because a pharmacy technician is not directly involved in the client's recovery. A pharmacy technician is a health care professional who assists pharmacists with dispensing medications and other tasks. A pharmacy technician may have a role in preparing, labeling, and delivering medications, but not in providing therapy or education to the client.

- Choice G: Respiratory therapist. This is incorrect because a respiratory therapist is not directly involved in the client's recovery. A respiratory therapist is a health care professional who provides respiratory care to patients with breathing problems. A respiratory therapist may have a role in administering oxygen, nebulizers, ventilators, and other respiratory treatments, but not in addressing the client's stroke-related impairments.

- Choice H: Medical assistant. This is incorrect because a medical assistant is not directly involved in the client's recovery. A medical assistant is a health care professional who performs administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office or clinic. A medical assistant may have a role in scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, drawing blood, and performing basic laboratory tests, but not in providing rehabilitation or education to the client.

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Correct Answer is []

Explanation

The client is most likely experiencing compartment syndrome, which is a condition where increased pressure within a closed space compromises blood flow and tissue perfusion. Compartment syndrome can occur after a fracture, especially if a cast or splint is applied too tightly. Some of the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome are severe pain, paresthesia, pallor, and pulselessness.
Two actions the nurse should take to address compartment syndrome are:
- Elevate the extremity above the level of the heart to reduce swelling and improve venous return.
- Remove the cast or loosen the dressing to relieve the pressure and restore blood flow. This may require notifying the physician or obtaining an order for bivalving or cutting the cast.
Two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s condition are:
- Capillary refill of the affected fingers, which should be less than 3 seconds. A prolonged capillary refill indicates poor perfusion and tissue ischemia.
- Blood pressure of the client, which should be maintained within normal limits. Hypotension can worsen the perfusion deficit and lead to tissue necrosis.

A. Potassium 4.7 mEq/L (4.70 mmol/L). B. Magnesium 2.1 mEq/L (0.86 mmol/L). C. Calcium 6.5 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L). D. Sodium 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L).

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Potassium 4.7 mEq/L (4.70 mmol/L) is within the normal reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L). Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids and acids in the body, as well as the function of nerves and muscles. A high potassium level (hyperkalemia) can cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest. A low potassium level (hypokalemia) can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and arrhythmias.

Choice B reason: Magnesium 2.1 mEq/L (0.86 mmol/L) is within the normal reference range of 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L). Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the activity of enzymes, muscles, and nerves, as well as the balance of calcium and potassium in the body. A high magnesium level (hypermagnesemia) can cause nausea, vomiting, flushing, muscle weakness, and respiratory depression. A low magnesium level (hypomagnesemia) can cause muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Choice C reason: Calcium 6.5 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L) is below the normal reference range of 9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.3 to 2.6 mmol/L). Calcium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the function of muscles, nerves, bones, and blood clotting. A high calcium level (hypercalcemia) can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, kidney stones, and bone pain. A low calcium level (hypocalcemia) can cause muscle spasms, cramps, tingling, numbness, and stridor (a high-pitched sound when breathing). **This is a critical value that should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider**, as it can indicate a serious condition such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, or massive blood transfusion.

Choice D reason: Sodium 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L) is slightly below the normal reference range of 136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L). Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids and acids in the body, as well as the function of nerves and muscles. A high sodium level (hypernatremia) can cause thirst, dry mouth, confusion, seizures, and coma. A low sodium level (hyponatremia) can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle weakness, and confusion.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exhibits Specify which potential condition the client is most likely experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s response.

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client presents with the onset of a severe headache, fever, nuchal rigidity, and a petechial rash on arms and legs. The nurse recognizes the client is exhibiting symptoms of which condition?

Two weeks after returning home from traveling, a client presents to the clinic with conjunctivitis and describes a recent loss in the ability to taste and smell. The nurse obtains a nasal swab to test for COVID-19. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

Patient Data Exhibits Specify which findings indicate early interventions for an ischemic stroke were effective? Each focused assessment area may support more than one clinical finding.

A client with acute renal injury (AKI) weighs 110.3 pounds (50 kg) and has a potassium level of 6.7 mEq/L (6.7 mmol/L) is admitted to the hospital. Which prescribed medication should the nurse administer first? Reference Range: Potassium [3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L)]

Five months following treatment for Herpes zoster (shingles), an older adult client tells the home health nurse of continuing to experience pain where the rash occurred. Which action should the nurse implement?

A client with a closed head injury demonstrates signs of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which additional finding should the nurse expect to obtain?