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 {"dropdown-group-1":"B","dropdown-group-2":"D"}
Explanation
- Reviewing fetal heart rate tracing: Reviewing the fetal heart rate tracing is the first action because the client has signs of severe preeclampsia, which can quickly lead to fetal distress. The fetal monitor will provide immediate information about the baby’s oxygenation status. Detecting any late decelerations or bradycardia would require urgent intervention to protect fetal life.
- Administering IM betamethasone: Administering IM betamethasone is important to accelerate fetal lung maturity in case early delivery is necessary. Since the client is only at 31 weeks, promoting lung development is crucial to improve neonatal outcomes. However, confirming fetal well-being comes first before giving medications.
- Scheduling an emergency cesarean section: An emergency cesarean section is not the first step without evidence of fetal compromise or maternal instability. At this point, the fetal heart rate shows moderate variability and accelerations, which are reassuring. A cesarean is only scheduled if fetal distress or worsening maternal condition occurs after further monitoring.
- Insert a Foley catheter to monitor urine output: Inserting a Foley catheter is important to monitor kidney function and fluid status in preeclampsia. Reduced urine output can signal worsening disease. However, it is not the priority over assessing the fetal condition first, because fetal distress can occur rapidly and needs immediate identification.
- Administering antibiotics: There is no current indication for administering antibiotics based on the client's data. The client does not have signs of infection, such as fever, elevated WBCs, or positive urinalysis for infection. Administering antibiotics would not address the current primary risks related to severe preeclampsia.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E","F","G"]
Explanation
- Administer betamethasone: Betamethasone is administered to pregnant clients at risk of preterm delivery to promote fetal lung maturity. Given the client's gestational age of 31 weeks and signs of severe preeclampsia, administering corticosteroids is critical to prepare for potential early delivery.
- Monitor intake and output every hour: Severe preeclampsia can impair renal function, leading to decreased urine output and worsening fluid retention. Hourly monitoring of intake and output helps detect early signs of renal compromise and fluid overload, both of which require immediate intervention.
- Assist RN with performing a vaginal examination every 12 hr: Vaginal examinations are avoided in cases of severe preeclampsia unless absolutely necessary because they can stimulate uterine contractions or introduce infection. Therefore, routinely assisting every 12 hours with vaginal exams is not appropriate in this client's plan of care.
- Obtain a 24-hr urine specimen: A 24-hour urine collection assesses the degree of proteinuria and provides a clearer diagnostic picture of the severity of preeclampsia. Quantifying protein excretion helps guide clinical management and decisions about timing of delivery.
- Provide a low-stimulation environment: A calm, quiet environment minimizes the risk of seizure activity in clients with severe preeclampsia. Reducing auditory, visual, and environmental stimulation is a standard preventative measure to decrease neurological irritability.
- Give antihypertensive medication: Severe hypertension must be promptly treated to prevent complications like stroke, placental abruption, and progression to eclampsia. Administering antihypertensive therapy helps stabilize maternal blood pressure and protects both maternal and fetal health.
- Maintain bedrest: Bedrest helps reduce blood pressure and physical stress, promoting better perfusion to the placenta. Although strict bedrest is controversial long-term, short-term bedrest is often used in severe preeclampsia management while stabilization measures are implemented.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
