A client who is admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention during the first 6 hours following admission should the nurse identify as the priority?
Administer disulfiram immediately.
Place in a side-lying position with the head of the bed elevated.
Give lorazepam PRN for signs of withdrawal.
Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Administering disulfiram is not the priority in the immediate care of a client with a closed head injury and elevated blood alcohol level. The focus should be on ensuring the client's safety and preventing complications related to the head injury.
B. Placing the client in a side-lying position with the head of the bed elevated is crucial to prevent aspiration and maintain airway patency in a client who is difficult to arouse due to alcohol intoxication.
C. Giving lorazepam for signs of withdrawal may be necessary but does not address the immediate risk of aspiration in a client with altered consciousness.
D. Providing thiamine and folate supplements is important for clients with alcohol use disorders, but the priority in this scenario is airway protection and preventing complications related to the head injury.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Identifying triggers may be beneficial, but the client is currently in a state of severe anxiety, and immediate intervention to address the symptoms is needed.
B. Exploring past behaviors can be addressed later; the immediate focus should be on managing the acute symptoms of anxiety.
C. Attempting to distract the client can be helpful, but providing reassurance and addressing safety concerns take precedence.
D. Speaking calmly to the client and providing assurance of safety is an appropriate first step in managing severe anxiety. Once the client is more settled, other interventions can be explored.
Correct Answer is ["A","B"]
Explanation
A. Shielding the client from direct sunlight is important because some antipsychotic medications, including haloperidol, can increase sensitivity to sunlight, leading to sunburn.
B. Gradually withdrawing the medication over several days is a prudent approach to avoid withdrawal symptoms and potential worsening of symptoms.
C. Enforcing a fluid restriction is not typically necessary during dosage adjustment for antipsychotic medications like haloperidol.
D. Increasing the dosage if the white blood cell count drops is not a standard practice during the dosage adjustment of antipsychotic medications. Monitoring for adverse effects and adjusting the dosage accordingly is important, but the decision should be based on a comprehensive assessment rather than a single laboratory value.
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