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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

a) Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic medication that can help reduce pain and fever. However, it does not treat inﬂammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.

b) Encourage the client to drink ﬂuids.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Drinking ﬂuids can help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance in the body, which are important for normal functioning of cells and organs. However, it does not treat inﬂammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should encourage the client to drink ﬂuids only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.

d) Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it is not related to the client's symptoms. Serum lipid levels are measures of fats and cholesterol in the blood, which are important for energy production, hormone synthesis, and cell membrane structure. However, they are not related to inﬂammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should monitor the client's serum lipid levels only if they are prescribed a medication that can aﬀect lipid metabolism, such as statins or fibrates.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A radial pulse is the pulse felt at the wrist, where the radial artery runs along the thumb side of the forearm. It is one of the most common sites for measuring a person's heart rate.
To measure a radial pulse, the examiner should place two or three fingers over the radial artery, just below the wrist crease, and apply gentle pressure until a pulsation is felt. The examiner should not use the thumb, as it has its own pulse and may interfere with the accuracy of the measurement. The examiner should count the number of beats for 15, 30, or 60 seconds, depending on the regularity and rate of the pulse.
In the picture, the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the thumb to measure the radial pulse, which is incorrect. The practical nurse (PN) should demonstrate the correct pulse site to the UAP and explain why using the thumb is not appropriate. This will help to ensure that the UAP obtains an accurate and reliable pulse rate for the client.

Therefore, option C is the correct answer, while options A, B, and D are incorrect.

Option A is incorrect because instructing the UAP to report any abnormal findings does not address the error in technique.

Option B is incorrect because reminding the UAP to check the pulse volume does not address the error in technique.

Option D is incorrect because confirming the accuracy of the pulse rate obtained by the UAP does not address the error in technique.

A. Notify the charge nurse the client will need assignment to the COVID-19 specified area of the facility. B. Institute droplet precautions, place the client in a private room, and keep the door closed. C. Explain to the client to inform others that they may have been potentially exposed in the last 14 days. D. Place the nasal swab specimen for COVID-19 directly into a biohazard bag.

Correct Answer is ["B"]

Explanation

The correct answer is Choice B.

Choice A rationale: While notifying the charge nurse about the client’s condition is important, it is not the most critical action. The charge nurse’s role would be to coordinate care and ensure appropriate resources are available, but the immediate safety and well-being of the client and others in the facility is the priority. Therefore, this choice is not the most important action for the nurse to take.

Choice B rationale: Instituting droplet precautions, placing the client in a private room, and keeping the door closed is the most important action. COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. Therefore, it is crucial to implement droplet precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes wearing a mask, eye protection, and a gown and gloves when caring for the client. The client should also be placed in a private room with the door closed to further prevent the spread of the virus.

Choice C rationale: While it is important for the client to inform others that they may have been potentially exposed, this is not the most critical action. The priority is to prevent the spread of the virus within the healthcare facility. Once the client is appropriately isolated and precautions are in place, the client can be educated and assisted with notifying others about potential exposure.

Choice D rationale: Placing the nasal swab specimen for COVID-19 directly into a biohazard bag is a standard procedure when collecting specimens for testing. However, this action does not address the immediate need to prevent the spread of the virus within the healthcare facility. Therefore, this choice is not the most important action for the nurse to take.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The practical nurse (PN) observes a newly hired unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is counting a client's radial pulse as seen in the picture. Which action should the PN take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Four days after exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19), a client has a negative COVID-19 test result. Eight days after the negative test result, the client presents with fever, fatigue, and cough, and the nurse performs a second COVID-19 test. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

Correct Answer is ["B"]

Explanation

A client who weighs 176 pounds receives a prescription for norepinephrine 2 mcg/min intravenously (IV). The IV bag is labeled, "Norepinephrine 4 mg in dextrose 5% in water (D;W) 1,000 mL." How many mL/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numerical value only.).

A male preoperative client who has already signed the informed consent for a surgical procedure confides in the practical nurse (PN) that he is really frightened and unsure about undergoing the surgery. Which priority action should the PN take?

When caring for an older male client with urinary frequency, which measure is most important for the nurse to implement to help the client prepare to go to bed for the night?

While caring for a client with a full-thickness burn covering 40% of the body surface area (BSA), the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should note which of the client's laboratory values?

Patient Data Exhibits What is the rationale for the order of supplemental oxygen 10 L/min via nasal cannula? Select the best answer.

The nurse requests a meal tray for a client who follows Mormon beliefs and who is on a clear liquid diet following abdominal surgery. Which menu item(s) should the nurse request for this client? (Select all that apply).

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?