A client who is reaching saturation with medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch. Which action by the PN is a priority?
Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.
Encourage the client to drink fluids.
Report the findings to the charge nurse.
Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.
The Correct Answer is C
This is the priority action by the practical nurse (PN) because it can help identify and prevent a potential adverse reaction to the medication. A client who is reaching saturation with medication means that the client has reached the maximum level of medication in the blood that can produce the desired therapeutic effect. However, this also means that the client is at a higher risk of developing toxicity or side effects from the medication.
The PN should report the findings of muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin to the charge nurse, as these may indicate signs of inflammation, infection, or allergic reaction to the medication. The PN should also monitor the client's vital signs, oxygen saturation, and laboratory values, and document the findings. The charge nurse should notify the health care provider and adjust the medication dosage or regimen as ordered.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Circumoral cyanosis, which is bluish discoloration around the mouth, can be a sign of inadequate oxygenation. It suggests that there may be an issue with the infant's respiratory or cardiovascular system, potentially indicating respiratory distress or a cardiac problem. Prompt assessment and intervention are necessary to determine the cause of the cyanosis and ensure the infant's well-being.
A. The six-hour-old infant with a large sacral "stork bite" refers to a common birthmark caused by dilated blood vessels. While it may be important to assess the birthmark and document its presence, it is not an urgent concern requiring immediate attention.
B. The two-day-old infant with a negative Ortolani's sign refers to a specific maneuver used to assess for developmental hip dysplasia or dislocation. A negative Ortolani sign indicates that there is no evidence of hip dislocation. While it is important to assess the infant's hips and document the findings, it does not require immediate attention.
D. The one-day-old infant with a positive Babinski's reflex refers to an abnormal response in which the infant's toes fan out and the big toe dorsiflexes when the sole of the foot is stimulated. While a positive Babinski's reflex can be a normal finding in infants under a certain age, it is important to assess the infant's neurological status. However, it does not require immediate attention compared to the infant with circumoral cyanosis, which indicates potential respiratory or cardiovascular distress.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
In cases of suspected child abuse, inconsistencies or discrepancies between the child's account of the injury and the caregiver's version are concerning. It raises questions about the credibility of the explanation provided by the caregiver and suggests a possible attempt to conceal the true cause of the injury. Such discrepancies may indicate that the injury was intentionally inflicted or that the child is being coerced or influenced to provide a false account.
While the other assessment findings may raise some level of concern, they are not as significant as the discrepancy between the child's and mother's versions of the injury:
A. "The mother refuses to answer questions about family history." While this behavior may raise some suspicion or cause for further investigation, it alone does not conclusively indicate child abuse. It may be related to other factors such as privacy concerns or cultural differences.
B. "The child has several abrasions on the chest and legs." While the presence of abrasions can be concerning, they alone do not provide sufficient evidence of child abuse. Children are prone to injuries and can obtain abrasions during normal play and activities.
C. "The child looks at the floor when answering the nurse's questions." This behavior may suggest shyness, anxiety, or discomfort, but it is not a definitive indicator of child abuse. Some children may exhibit such behaviors due to their personality or other factors unrelated to abuse. It is important to consider the child's overall behavior and communication patterns in conjunction with other assessment findings.
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