A nurse in a long-term care facility finds an older adult client lying on the floor next to the bed. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Check the client for injuries.
Obtain a prescription for medication to sedate the client.
Call the family and ask them to make arrangements for someone to sit with the client.
Assist the client back into bed and apply restraints.
The Correct Answer is A
The first action the nurse should take is to check the client for injuries. The nurse should assess the client for any signs of injury or trauma and provide appropriate care as needed.
Obtaining a prescription for medication to sedate the client, calling the family and asking them to make arrangements for someone to sit with the client, and assisting the client back into bed and applying restraints are not appropriate initial actions for the nurse to take in this situation. These actions may be considered after the client has been assessed for injuries and their immediate needs have been addressed.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A nurse collecting data from a client who is 6 days post craniotomy for removal of an intracerebral aneurysm should monitor the client for hypertension as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure can cause changes in blood pressure, including hypertension.
a. Peripheral edema is not a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Peripheral edema is swelling in the extremities and can be caused by a variety of conditions.
b. Diarrhea is not a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Diarrhea is loose or watery stools and
can be caused by a variety of conditions.
c. Decreased pedal pulses are not a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Decreased pedal
pulses can indicate poor circulation to the feet and can be caused by a variety of conditions.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
To prevent autonomic dysreflexia, the nurse should take the intervention of preventing bladder distention. Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious medical problem that can happen if a person has injured the spinal cord in their upper back¹. It makes their blood pressure dangerously high and can lead to a stroke, seizure, or cardiac arrest¹. One way to lower the chance of complications is to use the bathroom on a regular schedule and keep the bladder and bowels from becoming too full.
a. Monitoring for elevated blood pressure is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
b. Providing analgesia for headaches is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
d. Elevating the client's head is important but not an intervention to prevent autonomic dysreflexia.
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