A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who was brought in by a neighbor after falling down suddenly while walking. Which of the following assessments are the priority for the nurse to complete?(Select All that Apply.)
Muscle strength
Facial symmetry
Peripheral pulses
Vision changes
Aphasia
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A Reason:
Muscle strength is correct. Assessing muscle strength is essential to determine if there are any neurological deficits or weakness that could indicate a neurological condition or injury. Sudden falls can be indicative of various neurological issues, such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Assessing muscle strength helps identify any motor impairments or weakness that could contribute to the fall.
Choice B Reason:
Facial symmetry is correct. Assessing facial symmetry is crucial to identify any signs of facial droop, which could indicate a neurological deficit such as a stroke or Bell's palsy. Facial asymmetry may suggest damage to the facial nerve or other neurological issues.
Choice C Reason:
Peripheral pulses is incorrect. While assessing peripheral pulses is important for evaluating circulation, it may not be the priority assessment in this scenario where the client has suddenly fallen and may be experiencing neurological symptoms. Neurological deficits, such as weakness or changes in facial symmetry, vision, or speech, are more indicative of acute neurological issues like stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which require immediate attention and intervention. In emergency situations, prioritizing assessments related to potential life-threatening conditions such as neurological deficits takes precedence over assessing peripheral pulses.
Choice D Reason:
Vision changes is correct. Assessing for vision changes is important to identify any visual disturbances or deficits that could contribute to falls or indicate underlying neurological issues such as a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Visual disturbances may include blurriness, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
Choice E Reason:
Aphasia is incorrect. Assessing for aphasia, which is the inability to understand or express speech, is essential to identify any language deficits that could indicate a neurological condition such as a stroke. Aphasia may present as difficulty speaking, understanding language, or both.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Manual wheelchair is inappropriate. A manual wheelchair requires the use of the client's upper extremities to propel the wheelchair forward by pushing on the wheels. With a spinal cord injury at the fourth cervical level, the client may have limited or no function in their upper extremities, making it difficult to self-propel a manual wheelchair.
Choice B Reason:
Sip-and-puff device is appropriate. A sip-and-puff device allows individuals with limited or no hand function to control a powered wheelchair using their breath. This device enables the client to navigate the wheelchair by inhaling or exhaling into a straw-like device, which activates controls to move the wheelchair forward, backward, and turn.
Choice C Reason:
Drive-adapted wheelchair is inappropriate. A drive-adapted wheelchair is a powered wheelchair that can be modified with adaptive controls to accommodate individuals with limited hand function or mobility. These wheelchairs may include joystick controls, head arrays, chin controls, or other adaptive devices that allow the client to operate the wheelchair independently despite limited hand function.
Choice D Reason:
Ultra-light wheelchairs is inappropriate. Ultra-light wheelchairs are manual wheelchairs that are lightweight and often customized to fit the client's specific needs and preferences. While ultra-light wheelchairs may offer advantages in terms of maneuverability and ease of transportation, they still require sufficient upper extremity function to self-propel the wheelchair.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
"If you have a cerebral aneurysm, you would be having seizures. “is incorrect because not all cerebral aneurysms cause seizures. Seizures may occur if the aneurysm ruptures and causes bleeding into the brain, but they are not a universal symptom of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm.
Choice B Reason:
"If you have a cerebral aneurysm, you will experience nausea and vomiting. “is incorrect because while headaches, nausea, and vomiting can occur with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage), they are not necessarily present in all cases, especially with unruptured aneurysms.
Choice C Reason:
"If you had a cerebral aneurysm, you would have a stiff neck." is incorrect because a stiff neck (meningeal irritation) is typically associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, but it is not always present and is not a definitive symptom of an unruptured aneurysm.
Choice D Reason:
"If you have a cerebral aneurysm, you typically will have no symptoms." Cerebral aneurysms can vary greatly in terms of their presentation and symptoms. While some aneurysms may cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, or a stiff neck, many cerebral aneurysms are asymptomatic and go unnoticed until they rupture or are incidentally discovered during imaging studies for other reasons.
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