A nurse in an emergency department is preparing a client for emergency surgery.
The client's blood alcohol level is 180 mg/dL.
Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
Insert an NG tube.
Obtain consent for surgery.
Apply antiembolic stockings.
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B: Insert an NG tube.
Choice A rationale: Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter may be necessary for monitoring urine output in some cases, but in this situation, the priority is to insert an NG tube. This will help prevent aspiration during surgery due to the client's high blood alcohol level, which increases the risk of vomiting.
Choice B rationale: Inserting an NG tube is the priority action for the nurse because a high blood alcohol level increases the risk of vomiting and aspiration during surgery. An NG tube can help reduce this risk by keeping the stomach empty and minimizing the chance of aspiration.
Choice C rationale: Obtaining consent for surgery is important, but in emergency situations, consent may be implied, or a designated surrogate decision-maker may provide consent. It is not the priority action for the nurse in this scenario.
Choice D rationale: Applying antiembolic stockings is a preventive measure for deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the priority action in this case. Ensuring the client's safety during surgery, specifically by preventing aspiration, takes precedence due to the client's high blood alcohol level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation

A 10-mL syringe is the minimum size that should be used to flush a PICC line to prevent damage to the catheter.
Choice A, Clean the insertion site using 20 mL of hydrogen peroxide, is not the correct answer because hydrogen peroxide should not be used to clean the insertion site of a PICC line.
Choice B, Changing the catheter dressing daily, is not the correct answer because the catheter dressing should be changed every 3 to 7 days or as directed by a healthcare provider.
Choice D, Do not elevate the arm above the level of the heart, is not the correct answer because there is no restriction on elevating the arm above the level of the heart with a PICC line.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Pitting edema is a common and obvious symptom of right-sided heart failure.

This occurs when fluid retention causes swelling in the lower limbs and sometimes the abdomen.
Choice A is incorrect because poor skin turgor is not a common symptom of right-sided heart failure.
Choice C is incorrect because oliguria, or decreased urine output, is not a common symptom of right-sided heart failure.
Choice D is incorrect because S4 galloping heart sounds are not a common symptom of right-sided heart failure.
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