A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has a closed head injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Prepare the client for an MRl of the brain.
Administer mannitol IV bolus to the client.
Determine the client's Glasgow Coma Scale score.
D insert an indwelling urinary catheter for the client.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Determine the client’s Glasgow Coma Scale score. This is because the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool to assess the level of consciousness and neurological status of a client who has a closed head injury. The GCS score can help guide the priority of interventions and the need for further diagnostic tests.
Choice A is wrong because an MRI of the brain is not the first action to take for a client who has a closed head injury. An MRI may be indicated later to evaluate the extent of brain damage, but it is not an emergency procedure.
Choice B is wrong because mannitol IV bolus is a medication that reduces intracranial pressure (ICP) by drawing fluid out of the brain tissue. However, mannitol should not be administered before confirming the presence and degree of increased ICP, which can be done by measuring the GCS score and other vital signs.
Choice D is wrong because inserting an indwelling urinary catheter for the client is not the first action to take for a client who has a closed head injury. A urinary catheter may be needed to monitor fluid balance and renal function, but it is not an urgent intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is C. FHR baseline 170/min. This is because a normal FHR baseline is between 110 and 160 bpm, and anything above or below this range indicates fetal distress and should be reported to the provider. A FHR baseline of 170/min could indicate fetal tachycardia, which could be caused by maternal fever, infection, dehydration, fetal anemia, or fetal hypoxia.
Choice A is wrong because early decelerations in the FHR are normal and benign, and indicate head compression during contractions.
They do not require any intervention or reporting.
Choice B is wrong because contractions lasting 80 seconds are within the normal range for active labor, which is 40 to 90 seconds per contraction.
They do not indicate any complication or abnormality.
Choice D is wrong because a temperature of 37.4° C (99.3° F) is slightly elevated but not considered a fever. A fever is defined as a temperature of 38° C (100.4° F) or higher.
A mild increase in temperature could be due to dehydration, exertion, or environmental factors, and does not necessarily indicate infection or inflammation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Hypertonicity is a sign of increased muscle tone and stiffness, which can indicate that the newborn is experiencing withdrawal from methadone exposure in utero. Methadone is an opioid medication that can cross the placenta and cause neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the newborn.
Choice A, acrocyanosis, is wrong because it is a normal finding in newborns.
Acrocyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the hands and feet due to immature peripheral circulation. It usually resolves within the first 24 to 48 hours of life.
Choice B, bradycardia, is wrong because it is not a typical sign of withdrawal.
Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, usually less than 100 beats per minute in newborns. It can be caused by hypoxia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, or vagal stimulation.
Choice C, bulging fontanels, is wrong because it is a sign of increased intracranial pressure, not withdrawal. Bulging fontanels can be caused by meningitis, hydrocephalus, or hemorrhage.
Normal ranges for newborn vital signs are as follows:
- Heart rate: 120 to 160 beats per minute
- Respiratory rate: 30 to 60 breaths per minute
- Temperature: 36.5 to 37.5°C (97.7 to 99.5°F)
- Blood pressure: 60 to 80 mm Hg systolic and 40 to 50 mm Hg diastolic
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