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.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

The correct answer is **a. Report the finding to the healthcare provider.**

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should report the finding of the client's response to a painful stimulus to the healthcare provider. This response, known as a decorticate posturing, is an abnormal motor response that indicates a severe brain injury or dysfunction. It is a sign of impaired consciousness and requires immediate medical attention and intervention.

Choice B rationale:

While documenting the client's response to pain is important, the primary action the nurse should take is to report the finding to the healthcare provider. Decorticate posturing is a neurological emergency that requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment.

Choice C rationale:

Initiating seizure precautions is not the appropriate action in this case. Decorticate posturing is not a seizure, but rather an abnormal motor response indicating a severe brain injury or dysfunction. Seizure precautions would not be the appropriate intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Administering a prescribed PRN analgesic is not the appropriate action in this case. Decorticate posturing is a neurological emergency that requires immediate medical attention, not just pain management. Administering an analgesic would not address the underlying neurological issue.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Use a peak flow meter to assess the respiratory status. Assessing the client's respiratory status using a peak flow meter is the most appropriate next action after administering albuterol, a bronchodilator. It helps determine the client's lung function and response to the medication. This information guides further interventions and treatment decisions.

Choice B rationale:

Administer a stat dose of corticosteroids. Administering corticosteroids may be indicated in some cases of respiratory distress or exacerbation of asthma. However, it should not be the immediate next step after albuterol administration. Assessing the client's response to albuterol through lung function testing (peak flow) is essential before deciding on additional medications.

Choice C rationale:

Document the normal finding in the client's health record. Documenting normal findings is important for maintaining accurate medical records, but in this case, it is premature. The nurse should first assess the client's response to albuterol and ensure that the respiratory status is indeed normal before documenting the findings.

Choice D rationale:

Repeat a dose of the client's rescue drug. Administering another dose of the rescue drug (albuterol) without assessing the client's response and lung function would not be the most appropriate action. It is essential to determine whether the initial dose was effective before considering additional doses or alternative treatments.

A. Aspirin. B. Heparin. C. Morphine. D. Nitroglycerin.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Aspirin is not typically contraindicated in a client who has taken sildenafil unless there are specific contraindications or allergies. Aspirin is often used in the management of acute chest pain to help prevent blood clot formation.

Choice B rationale:

Heparin is not contraindicated solely because the client has taken sildenafil. Heparin is an anticoagulant commonly used in various clinical settings, including the management of certain cardiac conditions.

Choice C rationale:

Morphine is not necessarily contraindicated based solely on the client's use of sildenafil. Morphine can be used to relieve chest pain in some cases of acute coronary syndrome. However, its use should be carefully evaluated based on the client's overall clinical presentation.

Choice D rationale:

Nitroglycerin should be withheld in this scenario. Sildenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It can potentiate the vasodilatory effects of nitroglycerin, leading to a severe drop in blood pressure. Concomitant use of nitroglycerin and sildenafil is contraindicated due to the risk of significant hypotension, which can be life-threatening.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

After a client receives a dose of albuterol, the nurse evaluates the medication's effects by auscultating the client's lung fields. Which action should the nurse take next based on the assessment?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client arrives at the emergency department with chest pain after taking sildenafil.Based on the client's history, which medication should the nurse withhold?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is providing interventions for a client with panic disorder.Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply).

A young adult is brought to the emergency department after taking a handful of drugs.The client is unresponsive, so an endotracheal tube (ETT) is inserted.How should the nurse determine if the ETT is correctly placed? (Select all that apply.).

A woman at 12 weeks' gestation comes to the clinic for her first prenatal visit. After completing a health history, the nurse should discuss which topic of pregnancy at this initial visit.

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client's right hand and fingers spasm when taking the blood pressure using the same arm.After confirming the presence of the spasms, which action should the nurse take?

A client tells the nurse about beginning an exercise program a month ago to lose weight and improve sleep.The client states that it still takes at least two hours to fall asleep at night.Which action should the nurse implement?

Patient Data. Exhibits The nurse has called the physician and is anticipating orders. Select the actions that would help with the listed treatment goals. Select all that apply.

The practical nurse (PN) believes that a prescription for a child is incorrect because the dosage prescribed is the usual adult dosage. Which action should the PN take?