A nurse administered a dose of penicillin to a client 30 min ago. The client reports dizziness and wheezes when breathing. Which of the following questions by the nurse is the highest priority?
"Are you having difficulty breathing?"
"I'm going to take your heart rate."
"I need to give you diphenhydramine."
"Do you have any allergies to medications?"
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Asking the client if they are having difficulty breathing is the highest priority question, as it can assess the severity of their allergic reaction to penicillin and the risk of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition that can cause airway obstruction and respiratory failure.
Choice B reason: Taking the client's heart rate is not a question, but an action that can be done after asking the client about their breathing status. The heart rate can indicate the presence of tachycardia or arrhythmia, which are signs of cardiovascular compromise due to an allergic reaction.
Choice C reason: Telling the client that they need to receive diphenhydramine is not a question, but an action that can be done after asking the client about their breathing status. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine drug that can reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling, or wheezing.
Choice D reason: Asking the client if they have any allergies to medications is not a high priority question, as it can be done before administering penicillin or after stabilizing the client's condition. Knowing the client's allergy history can help prevent future adverse reactions and guide appropriate treatment choices.Question 42
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Using analgesia around the clock is an appropriate action. The nurse should follow the principle of prevention rather than rescue when managing pain for a client who has terminal cancer. The nurse should administer analgesics on a regular schedule to maintain a steady level of pain relief and prevent breakthrough pain.
Choice B reason: Applying pain patches each morning and removing them at bedtime is not an appropriate action. The nurse should follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying and removing pain patches. Some patches are designed to be worn for 24 hours, while others are worn for 72 hours. Removing the patches too soon can cause inadequate pain control and withdrawal symptoms.
Choice C reason: Using intramuscular medications to control pain is not an appropriate action. The nurse should avoid using intramuscular route for administering analgesics to a client who has terminal cancer. Intramuscular injections are painful, unreliable, and increase the risk of infection and bleeding. The nurse should use oral, transdermal, or subcutaneous routes whenever possible.
Choice D reason: Decreasing a medication dose if the client develops tolerance is not an appropriate action. The nurse should understand that tolerance is a normal physiological response to long-term opioid use and does not indicate addiction or abuse. The nurse should adjust the medication dose according to the client's level of pain and response to treatment.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: This is incorrect. The nurse should don clean gloves before removing the dressing, and then change to sterile gloves before applying the new dressing.
Choice B: This is correct. The nurse should offer the client pain medication before the procedure, as changing a dressing for a stage III pressure ulcer can be very painful.
Choice C: This is incorrect. The nurse should prepare the sterile dressing supplies just before the dressing change, not 30 min before, to prevent contamination.
Choice D: This is incorrect. The nurse should not disinfect the wound bed with alcohol, as this can damage the healthy tissue and delay healing. The nurse should use a saline solution or an antiseptic solution as prescribed.
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