A nurse in a long-term care facility has just received change-of-shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?
A client who is receiving an enteral tube feeding and has a blood glucose level of 155 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
A client who has a spinal cord injury and needs a dressing change
A client who has a temperature of 38.4° C (101.1 F) and appears confused
A client who had a hip arthroplasty and is requesting pain medication
The Correct Answer is C
A. A client who is receiving an enteral tube feeding and has a blood glucose level of 155 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL): A mildly elevated blood glucose level is not immediately life-threatening and can be managed after addressing more urgent issues. This client is stable at the moment.
B. A client who has a spinal cord injury and needs a dressing change: While important for preventing infection, a scheduled dressing change is not an immediate threat to the client’s life or health and can be safely performed after more urgent concerns are addressed.
C. A client who has a temperature of 38.4° C (101.1° F) and appears confused: Fever and new-onset confusion suggest a possible infection, such as sepsis or urinary tract infection, especially in older adults. This situation indicates a potential life-threatening condition and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
D. A client who had a hip arthroplasty and is requesting pain medication: Managing pain is important, but it is not immediately life-threatening. After addressing the client with fever and confusion, attending to the client's pain needs would be appropriate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Take the medication with crackers: Taking doxycycline with food can help reduce gastrointestinal irritation, including nausea and vomiting. While it is not usually recommended to take doxycycline with food to ensure full absorption, in this case, eating crackers can help alleviate nausea and make the medication more tolerable.
B. Take the medication with an antacid: Antacids can interfere with the absorption of doxycycline, decreasing its effectiveness. Therefore, it is not recommended to take doxycycline with an antacid.
C. Take the medication and then lay down for 30 min: Lying down after taking doxycycline can increase the risk of esophageal irritation and ulceration. The medication should be taken while sitting or standing, and the client should remain upright for at least 30 minutes afterward.
D. Take the medication with calcium-fortified orange juice: Calcium can bind to doxycycline, decreasing its absorption and effectiveness. Therefore, it is not recommended to take doxycycline with calcium-fortified beverages.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- Allergies: The client has a documented allergy to penicillin, and cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin. Cephalosporins have a similar beta-lactam structure to penicillins, and there is a potential risk of cross-reactivity. Administering cefazolin without provider clearance could result in a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
- Temperature: Although the client's temperature is elevated at 39.3° C (102.8° F), this is an expected finding in pneumonia and does not need to be reported before antibiotic administration. In fact, treating the infection may help reduce the fever.
- Chest x-ray: The chest x-ray showing left lower lobe density is consistent with a diagnosis of pneumonia and supports the need for antibiotic treatment. This finding confirms the infection in the lungs and guides the choice of antibiotic therapy. It is not a reason to withhold the prescribed medication but rather a justification for it.
- WBC count: The client’s WBC count is elevated at 16,000/mm³, which is typical in bacterial infections like pneumonia. It reflects the body's immune response and further supports the need for antibiotics rather than delaying them.
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