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A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client.

Exhibits

Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's progress.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is []

The client is most likely experiencing meningitis based on the following clinical manifestations:

Symptoms: The client presents with a 2-day history of lethargy, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, headache, general muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, sensitivity to light, and intermittent nystagmus. These symptoms are consistent with the classic signs of meningitis, including headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status.
Physical Examination Findings: The physical examination reveals a fever (temperature of 38.9°C or 102°F), elevated heart rate (118/min), and signs of meningeal irritation such as neck stiffness (not directly mentioned but implied by headache and sensitivity to light). Additionally, a pinpoint, red, macular rash on the upper chest may indicate petechiae, which can be seen in meningococcal meningitis.

Given the suspicion of meningitis, the nurse should take the following actions:

Implement seizure precautions: Meningitis can lead to increased intracranial pressure and neurological complications, including seizures. Implementing seizure precautions involves ensuring the client's safety by padding the side rails of the bed, keeping the bed in a low position, and providing close observation.
Dim the lights in the client’s room: The client reports sensitivity to light, which is a common symptom of meningitis due to meningeal irritation. Dimming the lights can help reduce discomfort and photophobia in the client.

Parameters to Monitor:

Neurologic status: Monitoring the client's neurologic status is crucial for assessing the progression of meningitis and detecting any neurological deterioration, such as changes in level of consciousness, motor deficits, or signs of increased intracranial pressure.
Temperature: Monitoring the client's temperature is essential to assess for fever spikes or trends, which can indicate the severity of the infection and response to treatment.

Persistent or worsening fever may suggest inadequate treatment or complications such as abscess formation.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Patient has slight elevations in liver function test results: Phenytoin is primarily metabolized by the liver, and elevated liver function tests may indicate impaired liver function, potentially affecting the metabolism and clearance of phenytoin. Consultation with the healthcare provider is warranted to assess the risk-benefit ratio of administering phenytoin in the presence of liver function abnormalities.

B. Patient's most recent blood pressure is 156/92 mm Hg: While hypertension is not a contraindication for phenytoin administration, it is important to monitor blood pressure, especially considering the potential cardiovascular side effects of the medication. However, elevated blood pressure alone does not typically warrant consultation before administering phenytoin.

C. Patient experiences an aura before seizures: Experiencing an aura before seizures is a common phenomenon in patients with epilepsy and does not necessarily contraindicate the use of phenytoin. In fact, phenytoin is commonly prescribed to prevent seizures, including those preceded by an aura.

D. Patient has tonic-clonic seizures: Phenytoin is indicated for the treatment and prevention of tonic-clonic seizures, among other seizure types. Therefore, the presence of tonic-clonic seizures would not typically warrant consultation before administering phenytoin.

A. Catheterize for residual urine after voiding. B. Instruct the patient how to self-catheterize. C. Assist the patient to the toilet every 2 hours. D. Teach the patient to use the Credé method.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Catheterize for residual urine after voiding: While catheterization for residual urine may be necessary in some cases, it is not the most appropriate long-term solution for managing a neurogenic reflexic bladder. It does not promote patient independence or long-term bladder health.

B. Instruct the patient how to self-catheterize: Self-catheterization empowers the patient to manage their bladder function independently and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections
associated with indwelling catheters. It is the preferred method for managing neurogenic bladder in patients with spinal cord injury.

C. Assist the patient to the toilet every 2 hours: While assisting the patient to the toilet at regular intervals may help prevent urinary accidents, it does not address the underlying issue of neurogenic bladder or promote long-term bladder management.

D. Teach the patient to use the Credé method: The Credé method involves applying manual pressure to the bladder to promote voiding. While it may be used in some situations, it is not the preferred method for managing neurogenic bladder, especially in patients with spinal cord injury.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which information about a patient who has a new prescription for phenytoin (Dilantin) indicates that the nurse should consult with the health care provider before administration of the medication?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient with paraplegia resulting from a T9 spinal cord injury has a neurogenic reflexic bladder. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who has cauda equina syndrome related to spinal cord injury?

Which information about the patient who had a subarachnoid hemorrhage is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

A nurse at a community health clinic is caring for a client who reports a headache and stiff neck. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

The health care provider is considering the use of sumatriptan (Imitrex) for a 54-year-old male patient with migraine headaches. Which information obtained by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider?

A nurse is caring for a client who reports a throbbing headache and hypotension after a lumbar puncture. Which of the following actions is most likely to facilitate resolution of the headache?

A nurse is caring for a client who has quadriplegia from a spinal cord injury and reports having a severe headache. The nurse obtains a blood pressure reading of 210/108 mm Hg and suspects the client is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

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