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.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Obtaining a urine specimen for analysis is an important step in the assessment of the client with renal calculi. However, it is not the most immediate intervention when the client is experiencing severe flank pain and hematuria. Pain management should take precedence.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct answer. Severe flank pain in a client with renal calculi is indicative of renal colic, which is typically excruciating. Administering a prescribed opioid analgesic is the priority to relieve the client's pain and distress.

Choice C rationale:

Straining the urine for the presence of stones is an essential nursing intervention to identify and collect any passed stones. However, it is not the most immediate action when the client is in severe pain. Pain management is the priority.

Choice D rationale:

Preparing the client for a prescribed computed tomography (CT) scan is an important diagnostic step to assess the location and size of the renal calculi. However, it is not the most immediate intervention when the client is in severe pain and distress. Pain management should come first.

A. Increase the supplemental oxygen to 15 L/min via nasal cannula. B. Notify the health care provider of the client’s condition. C. Administer ibuprofen as ordered for fever. D. Obtain a sputum culture from the client.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Increasing the supplemental oxygen to 15 L/min via nasal cannula may seem like a logical step given the client’s low oxygen saturation. However, it’s important to note that oxygen therapy should be titrated carefully. Too much oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause cellular damage and worsen the client’s condition. Therefore, this is not the priority action.

Choice B rationale:

Notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the priority action. The client’s oxygen saturation is 88% on room air, which is below the normal range of 95% to 100%. This indicates that the client is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to hypoxia and other serious complications. The health care provider needs to be informed immediately so that appropriate interventions can be initiated.

Choice C rationale:

Administering ibuprofen as ordered for fever is important, but it’s not the priority in this situation. While fever can indicate an infection, which could be contributing to the client’s low oxygen saturation, addressing the immediate issue of hypoxia is more critical.

Choice D rationale:

Obtaining a sputum culture from the client could provide valuable information about the type of bacteria causing the pneumonia and guide antibiotic therapy. However, this is not an immediate priority compared to addressing the client’s low oxygen saturation. In summary, while all these actions are important in caring for a client with pneumonia, the nurse must prioritize interventions based on their urgency and potential impact on the client’s health status. In this case, notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the most critical action.

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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

A client with renal calculi is experiencing hematuria and reports severe flank pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Patient Data Exhibits The nurse notes that the client’s oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. What is the priority action by the nurse?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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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?