A client who has sustained blunt abdominal trauma is admitted to the ICU. Upon assessment the nurse notices the following vital signs: T-99F; HR- 148: RR-38; B/P-60/40. The client is diaphoretic and restless. The following selections are approved by the ICU physician. What would be the PRIORITY nurse's action?

Auscultate bowel sounds, record the findings and obtain a 12-lead ECG

Initiate the standing prescription for v Dopamine at 16 mcg/kg/minute

Place soft restraints on the upper extremities and sedate as necessary

Lower the head the bed obtain a pulse ox and increase the rate of iv fluids

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Auscultate bowel sounds, record the findings, and obtain a 12-lead ECG
While auscultating bowel sounds can help assess for bowel injury and an ECG is useful for monitoring cardiac function, these interventions are not the priority. The client is in shock and requires immediate intervention to restore perfusion.

B. Initiate the standing prescription for Dopamine at 16 mcg/kg/minute
Dopamine can be used to support blood pressure in shock, but fluid resuscitation is the first-line intervention in hypovolemic shock. Vasopressors like dopamine are typically added after fluid resuscitation if hypotension persists.

C. Place soft restraints on the upper extremities and sedate as necessary
The client's restlessness is likely due to hypoxia and inadequate perfusion, not agitation. Restraints and sedation would delay critical interventions and could worsen hemodynamic instability.

D. Lower the head of the bed, obtain a pulse ox, and increase the rate of IV fluids
The client is in hypovolemic shock due to suspected internal bleeding. Lowering the head of the bed improves cerebral perfusion, increasing IV fluids restores intravascular volume, and checking pulse oximetry ensures adequate oxygenation. This is the priority action to stabilize the client.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
The client is showing progressive airway obstruction due to inhalation injury. The absence of wheezes indicates impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate airway management.

B. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position and administer an albuterol breathing treatment
Albuterol may help bronchospasm, but this client's issue is upper airway swelling, not bronchospasm. Intubation is the priority.

C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
The loss of wheezes suggests airway swelling has worsened, not that secretions are the issue. Immediate intervention is needed.

D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
Guaifenesin and incentive spirometry help with secretion clearance, but they are not the priority in this emergent airway situation.

A. Follows an object with eyes without nystagmus or strabismus B. Moves the tongue out midline without tremors or deviation C. Moves the head and shoulders against resistance with equal strength D. Demonstrates full range of the neck

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Follows an object with eyes without nystagmus or strabismus
Cranial nerves III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear), and VI (abducens) control eye movement. CN XI does not control eye movement.

B. Moves the tongue out midline without tremors or deviation
Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal nerve) controls tongue movement.

C. Moves the head and shoulders against resistance with equal strength
Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve) controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. If intact, the client can shrug shoulders and turn the head against resistance with equal strength.

D. Demonstrates full range of the neck
Full range of motion in the neck involves multiple muscles, not just those innervated by CN XI.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is testing the function of cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory nerve). Which finding would the nurse expect if the nerve is intact?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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