A nurse in the emergency department is receiving report on a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?
A client who has Clostridium difficile and a temperature of 38.6° C (101.5° F)
A client who has a complete femur fracture and reports a pain level of 7 on a scale from 0 to 10
A client who has left shoulder pain and S-T elevation on a 12-lead ECG
A client who has orthostatic hypotension and 4+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
The Correct Answer is C
A. While a temperature elevation in a client with Clostridium difficile requires assessment, it is not as urgent as potential cardiac ischemia.
B. Pain assessment in a client with a femur fracture is important but does not take priority over potential cardiac issues.
C. Left shoulder pain with S-T elevation on an ECG can indicate myocardial infarction (MI), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
D. Orthostatic hypotension and pitting edema, while concerning, do not indicate an acute, life-threatening condition that requires immediate assessment in this scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Flushing the tube with water after feedings helps to prevent tube clogging and ensures adequate delivery of enteral feedings. However, it does not address the diarrhea.
B. While it's important to discard open cans of formula within a specified timeframe to prevent bacterial growth, diarrhea in the client is not directly addressed by discarding formula after 36 hours.
C. The nurse should consider administering feedings at a slower rate to manage diarrhea. This approach can help reduce the incidence of diarrhea as it allows for better absorption of the nutrients.
D. Providing chilled formula is not typically indicated for clients with diarrhea and may not be well-tolerated.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Excessive sweating is a common adverse effect of sertraline, and it is essential for the nurse to educate the client about this potential side effect to enhance medication adherence and manage expectations.
B. Dry cough is not typically associated with sertraline, and its inclusion in the education may confuse the client and undermine the credibility of the nurse's teaching.
C. Increased urinary frequency is not commonly reported with sertraline use; therefore, including it in the client education may lead to misinformation.
D. A metallic taste in the mouth is not a commonly reported adverse effect of sertraline and should not be included in the client education as it may cause unnecessary concern or confusion.

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