A nurse at a community health clinic is caring for a client who reports a headache and stiﬀ neck. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

Obtain a throat culture specimen.

Perform a complete blood count.

Check the client's temperature.

Administer an oral analgesic.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Obtaining a throat culture specimen might be necessary if a throat infection is suspected, but it is not the immediate priority without first assessing the presence of fever or other systemic signs.
B. Performing a complete blood count could be useful in diagnosing underlying conditions or infections but is not the initial action; the temperature check provides immediate information about potential systemic infection.

C. Check the client's temperature.Headache and stiff neck are symptoms that could be associated with various conditions, including infections such as meningitis. A fever often accompanies infections, and checking the client's temperature helps in identifying if there is a fever, which could be indicative of an infection requiring further evaluation and treatment.

D. Administering an oral analgesic could provide symptom relief but does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms. It is essential first to assess the client’s condition fully before initiating symptomatic treatment.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

a. Decorticate posturing is marked by the flexion of the arms, with the hands clenched into fists and the legs extended and internally rotated.
b. External rotation of the lower extremities is not a characteristic of decorticate posturing. In decorticate posture, legs are held out straight.

c.Pronation of the hands is characteristic of decerebrate posturing, where the arms are extended and pronated.

d. In decorticate posturing, the lower extremities typically exhibit plantar flexion. Additionally, the upper extremities show flexion of the arms, wrists, and fingers with adduction of the arms.

A. "Russell's traction uses a sling under the knee to treat a fracture of the femur." B. "Russell's traction uses a cervical halter to decrease cervical muscle spasms." C. "Russell's traction uses skeletal pins to stabilize the fracture." D. "Russell's traction uses a pelvic girdle belt to decrease lower back pain."

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse should tell the newly licensed nurse that Russell's traction uses a sling under the knee to treat a fracture of the femur. Russell's traction is a type of skin traction that is used to immobilize and align a fractured femur. It involves placing a sling under the knee and applying weights to the aﬀected leg to provide continuous traction.

Russell's traction does not use a cervical halter, skeletal pins, or a pelvic girdle belt. A cervical halter is used to treat neck injuries. Skeletal pins are used in skeletal traction to stabilize fractures. A pelvic girdle belt is used to treat lower back pain.

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A nurse at a community health clinic is caring for a client who reports a headache and stiﬀ neck. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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