A nurse finds a client in bed, unresponsive and breathing.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Initiate cardiac monitoring for the client.
Apply a blood pressure cuff.
Palpate for the client's carotid pulse.
Establish an IV access.
The Correct Answer is C
The first step when finding an unresponsive person is to check their breathing by tilting their head back and looking and feeling for breaths.
When a person is unresponsive, their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway so they can no longer breathe.
Tilting their head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue forward.
Palpating for the client’s carotid pulse is a way to check if the client has a pulse and is still breathing.
Choice A: Initiating cardiac monitoring for the client is not an answer because it is not mentioned as the first action to take in my sources.
Choice B: Apply a blood pressure cuff is not an answer because it is not mentioned as the first action to take in my sources.
Choice D: Establishing an IV access is not an answer because it is not mentioned as the first action to take in my sources.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
“The client’s capillary refill in the left toe is 6 seconds.” Capillary refill time is the time it takes for blood to return to the capillaries after pressure has been applied to the skin.
A normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds.
A capillary refill time of 6 seconds indicates poor blood flow to the left toe and requires immediate intervention by the nurse.
Choice B is not the correct answer because while a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10 at the operative site is concerning, it does not require immediate intervention by the nurse.
Choice C is not the correct answer because an oral temperature of 38.3° C (100.9° F) is only slightly elevated and does not require immediate intervention by the nurse.
Choice D is not the correct answer because while 100 mL of blood in a closed-suction drain may be concerning, it does not necessarily require immediate intervention by the nurse.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should instruct the client to wash their perineal area two times each day with antimicrobial soap.
This is important because chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, making the client more susceptible to infections.
Choice B is wrong because washing a toothbrush in a dishwasher once a month is not an effective way to prevent infection.
Choice C is wrong because changing a pet’s litter box daily could expose the client to harmful bacteria and should be avoided.
Choice D is wrong because changing the water in a drinking glass every 4 hours is not necessary for preventing infection.
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