A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who reports ingesting thirty diazepam tablets 20 minutes ago.
The client is lethargic and has a respiratory rate of 10/min.
After securing the client's airway and initiating an IV, which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
Evaluate the client for further suicidal behavior.
Administer flumazenil to the client.
Monitor the client's IV site for thrombophlebitis.
Initiate seizure precautions for the client.
The Correct Answer is B
= Answer is... Choice B. Administer flumazenil to the client.
Choice A rationale:
In the emergency department scenario described, the client has presented with symptoms suggestive of a diazepam overdose, indicating potential suicidal behavior. However, while evaluating the client for further suicidal behavior is an important aspect of comprehensive care, it is not the immediate priority in this situation. The client's lethargy and respiratory depression require urgent intervention to reverse the effects of diazepam overdose and stabilize their condition. Once the client's immediate medical needs are addressed, further assessment and intervention regarding suicidal behavior can be pursued as part of ongoing care and safety planning.
Choice B rationale:
Administering flumazenil to the client is the most appropriate next action in the management of a diazepam overdose. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, effectively reverses the sedative effects of benzodiazepines such as diazepam by competitively blocking benzodiazepine binding sites on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex. By antagonizing the effects of diazepam, flumazenil can rapidly restore consciousness and respiratory drive in clients experiencing benzodiazepine-induced central nervous system depression, such as lethargy and hypoventilation. Prompt administration of flumazenil is crucial for preventing further respiratory compromise and potential respiratory arrest in overdose situations.
Choice C rationale:
Monitoring the client's IV site for thrombophlebitis is an important aspect of nursing care during IV therapy; however, it is not the immediate priority in this scenario. While maintaining IV access is essential for administering medications and fluids, including flumazenil in this case, the urgent need to reverse the effects of diazepam overdose takes precedence over monitoring for IV complications. Thrombophlebitis can be assessed and managed concurrently with the administration of flumazenil and other aspects of the client's care once their immediate medical condition is stabilized.
Choice D rationale:
Initiating seizure precautions for the client may be warranted in certain clinical situations, particularly if the client has a history of seizures or if there are concerns about potential withdrawal or rebound seizures following the administration of flumazenil. However, in the context of a diazepam overdose with central nervous system depression and lethargy, the primary focus is on reversing the effects of the overdose and restoring respiratory function. Seizure precautions can be implemented if indicated based on ongoing assessment and clinical judgment but are not the immediate next action following initiation of IV access and administration of flumazenil.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Making decisions about health care on clients' behalf without their involvement violates the principle of patient autonomy. Patients have the right to be actively involved in decisions about their own care and treatment plans. Encouraging shared decision-making and respecting patients' choices are essential aspects of nursing advocacy.
Choice B rationale:
Promoting health care access is a fundamental aspect of advocacy in client care. Nurses should advocate for their patients' access to necessary healthcare services, treatments, and resources. This includes ensuring that patients have access to appropriate medical facilities, specialists, medications, and therapies. Advocating for health care access helps patients receive timely and appropriate care, improving their overall health outcomes.
Choice C rationale:
Encouraging clients to seek further information from the provider is crucial for informed decision-making. Providing patients with accurate and relevant information enables them to make educated choices about their health. Nurses can facilitate this process by clarifying medical information, explaining treatment options, and addressing patients' concerns. Informed patients are better equipped to actively participate in their care and advocate for their own needs.
Choice D rationale:
Addressing client needs when providing resources is an essential aspect of nursing advocacy. Nurses should assess their patients' individual needs and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide appropriate resources and support. This can include coordinating social services, arranging for home healthcare, or connecting patients with support groups. Meeting clients' needs ensures that they receive comprehensive care, promoting their overall well-being.
Choice E rationale:
Honoring family requests to withhold medical information can be ethically challenging. While family members play a significant role in a patient's life, confidentiality and patient autonomy must be respected. In most cases, healthcare providers should prioritize communicating directly with the patient, respecting their right to make decisions about their own health information. Exceptions may arise in situations involving legal guardianship or when patients are unable to communicate their preferences. However, the default approach should be to involve the patient directly in decisions about their healthcare information.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice B: Assign the child to a negative air pressure room.
Choice A rationale: Assessing the child for Koplik spots is not appropriate in this situation because Koplik spots are associated with measles, not varicella. Koplik spots are small, white, irregular lesions that appear on the buccal mucosa during the prodromal phase of measles. They do not present in cases of varicella, which is characterized by a pruritic, vesicular rash.
Choice B rationale: Assigning the child to a negative air pressure room is the most suitable action because varicella is highly contagious and can be transmitted through airborne particles. A negative air pressure room helps to contain these particles and minimize the risk of infection transmission to other patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Airborne precautions are the recommended infection control measures for managing varicella cases in healthcare settings.
Choice C rationale: Utilizing droplet precautions alone is insufficient for managing varicella because the virus can also be spread through airborne particles. While droplet precautions may be a component of the overall infection control strategy, they are inadequate without the additional implementation of airborne precautions, such as a negative air pressure room.
Choice D rationale: Administering aspirin to a child with a viral illness is generally contraindicated due to the potential risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but severe condition characterized by liver failure and encephalopathy. It is essential to follow appropriate guidelines for managing fever and discomfort in pediatric patients with varicella, which typically involve using acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead of aspirin.
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