A client is admitted following a motor vehicle collision.
When assessing the client's level of consciousness, the nurse notes that the client no longer responds to commands.
The nurse initiates a painful stimulus and the client responds by pulling the arms inward with elbows and wrists flexed and extending the legs with the toes pointed downward.
Which action should the nurse implement?
Report the finding to the healthcare provider.
Document the purposeful response to pain.
Initiate seizure precautions immediately.
Administer a prescribed PRN analgesic.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Reporting the finding to the healthcare provider is important when the client no longer responds to commands and exhibits a specific response to pain. However, it should not be the first action. The nurse's initial response should be to assess and document the client's neurological status and response to pain to provide accurate information to the healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale:
Documenting the purposeful response to pain is the correct initial action in this scenario. The client's response, which involves pulling the arms inward with elbows and wrists flexed and extending the legs with the toes pointed downward, is known as decerebrate posturing. It is a specific neurological response to painful stimuli and may indicate a brain injury. Documenting this response is crucial for the client's medical record and helps the healthcare provider assess the severity of the neurological injury.
Choice C rationale:
Initiating seizure precautions immediately is not the first action to take in this scenario. While the client's response to pain may resemble posturing seen in seizures, it is more indicative of a neurological injury or dysfunction. Further assessment and evaluation are needed before implementing seizure precautions.
Choice D rationale:
Administering a prescribed PRN analgesic is not the first action to take when the client exhibits decerebrate posturing in response to pain. This response indicates a neurological issue or injury that requires assessment and evaluation. Administering pain medication without a clear understanding of the underlying cause may not be appropriate and could potentially mask important neurological signs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
CP being one of the most common permanent physical disabilities in children is a general statement but does not directly address the mother's question about the progression of her child's impaired movements. It does not provide an explanation for the potential course of CP.
Choice B rationale:
Brain damage with CP is not progressive but does have a variable course. This response provides the best explanation to the mother's question. CP is a static neurological condition, which means that the initial brain injury that led to CP does not worsen over time. However, the functional abilities and impairments of a child with CP can vary widely and may change as the child grows and develops. Some children may improve with therapy and interventions, while others may have relatively stable impairments.
Choice C rationale:
Severe motor dysfunction determines the extent of successful habilitation is not entirely accurate. While the severity of motor dysfunction does play a role in the challenges a child with CP may face, it does not solely determine the extent of successful habilitation. Many factors, including early intervention, therapy, and individualized care, can influence a child's progress and potential for improvement.
Choice D rationale:
Continued development of the brain lesion determines the child's outcome is not an accurate statement. CP is primarily caused by non-pro
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The client’s presentation of a noticeable facial droop and garbled speech are classic symptoms of a stroke. These symptoms indicate that the brain is not receiving enough oxygen, which can lead to permanent damage if not treated immediately. Therefore, this client requires immediate health interventions.
Choice B rationale:
This choice is identical to Choice A. The client’s noticeable facial droop and garbled speech are indicative of a stroke and require immediate attention.
Choice C rationale:
This choice is also identical to Choices A and B. The client’s symptoms are indicative of a stroke, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.
Choice D rationale:
While the change in the client’s speech after having a few drinks at a restaurant could be due to alcohol consumption, it could also be a symptom of a stroke, especially when combined with the facial droop. However, this choice does not directly indicate the need for immediate health interventions as it lacks the specificity of the symptoms compared to Choices A, B, and C.
Choice E rationale:
The time of arrival and mode of transportation do not directly indicate the need for immediate health interventions. However, the mention of facial drooping and garbled speech upon arrival at the emergency department reinforces the urgency of the situation, as these are classic symptoms of a stroke. In conclusion, Choices A, B, C, and E all highlight data that indicate the client is in need of immediate health interventions due to potential stroke symptoms. It’s important to note that strokes require immediate medical attention to minimize brain damage and potential complications. Normal ranges for lab parameters would not apply in this scenario as it’s based on clinical observations rather than laboratory findings.
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