A nurse in the emergency department is evaluating a young adult client for bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take as part of the focused assessment?

Tap the client's facial nerve and note any facial twitching.

Strike the client's patellar tendon with a percussion hammer and note any increase in response.

Gently elevate the client's head and note any nuchal rigidity.

Run a tongue blade on the outside of the client's sole and note any flaring of the toes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Tapping the client's facial nerve and noting any facial twitching is not a specific assessment for bacterial meningitis. This action is more related to evaluating facial nerve function and is not typically used to diagnose meningitis.

Choice B reason: Striking the client's patellar tendon with a percussion hammer and noting any increase in response is a test for reflexes, which may or may not be altered in bacterial meningitis. An increased response can be seen in various neurological conditions and is not specific to meningitis.

Choice C reason: Gently elevating the client's head and noting any nuchal rigidity is a key part of the focused assessment for bacterial meningitis. Nuchal rigidity, or stiffness of the neck, is a classic sign of meningitis and is assessed by gently lifting the head and attempting to move the chin toward the chest. If the client resists due to pain or stiffness, this could indicate nuchal rigidity associated with meningitis.

Choice D reason: Running a tongue blade on the outside of the client's sole and noting any flaring of the toes, known as the Babinski sign, is used to assess for central nervous system lesions and is not specific to meningitis. While it can be part of a neurological assessment, it does not specifically indicate bacterial meningitis.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Asking if the client feels like they have food stuck at the base of their throat is a pertinent question for assessing swallowing in a client with oral achalasia. Achalasia is characterized by difficulty in swallowing due to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, leading to a sensation of food being stuck.

Choice B reason: While burning sensations in the throat can be associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), they are not specific to achalasia. However, some clients with achalasia may experience similar symptoms due to food stasis and fermentation in the esophagus.

Choice C reason: Feelings of fullness in the neck are not a typical symptom of achalasia. Achalasia primarily affects the esophagus and does not usually cause a sensation of fullness in the neck.

Choice D reason: Pain while swallowing, or odynophagia, can occur in achalasia but is more commonly associated with conditions that cause inflammation or irritation of the esophagus, such as infections or ingestion of irritants.

A. 150 mL of serosanguineous drainage B. 75 mL of greenish-yellow drainage C. 100 mL of red drainage D. 200 mL of brown drainage

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Serosanguineous drainage, which is a mixture of blood and a clear yellow liquid known as serum, is generally expected after surgery. While the amount of 150 mL may seem significant, it is not uncommon in the first hour postoperatively, especially after abdominal surgery. The nurse should continue to monitor the drainage and report if the volume increases significantly or if the drainage becomes bright red, indicating active bleeding.

Choice B reason: Greenish-yellow drainage is typically bile, which can be present in NG tube drainage after abdominal surgery. This type of drainage is not unusual and does not necessarily need to be reported unless accompanied by other concerning symptoms or changes in the patient's condition.

Choice C reason: 100 mL of red drainage is concerning and should be reported to the provider immediately. Red drainage suggests active bleeding, and in the context of the first postoperative hour, it could indicate a complication such as hemorrhage. Prompt assessment and intervention are required to address this potential emergency situation.

Choice D reason: Brown drainage may be old blood or could be related to the contents of the gastrointestinal tract. While 200 mL is a larger volume, brown drainage is not typically as concerning as bright red drainage. However, the nurse should monitor for changes in the color and consistency of the drainage, as well as the patient's vital signs and overall status.

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A nurse in the emergency department is evaluating a young adult client for bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take as part of the focused assessment?

Nursing Test Bank

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