A nurse is assessing a client who sustained a basal skull fracture and notes a thin stream of clear drainage coming from the client's right nostril. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Test the drainage for the halo sign.
Ask the client to blow his nose.
Notify the physician.
Suction the nostril.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:Testing the drainage for the halo sign is the first action the nurse should take, as clear drainage from the nose following a basal skull fracture could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which contains glucose.
Choice B reason:Asking the client to blow his nose could potentially increase the risk of infection or worsen a CSF leak and is not recommended as a first action.
Choice C reason:While notifying the physician is important, it should be done after confirming whether the drainage is CSF, which would require immediate medical intervention.
Choice D reason:Suctioning the nostril is not the first action to take, as it could potentially disrupt the site of the leak and is not diagnostic of a CSF leak.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A BUN level of 8 mg/dL and creatinine level of 0.7 mg/dL are within normal ranges and would not be expected in a client with CKD².
Choice B reason: Elevated BUN and creatinine levels, such as 45 mg/dL and 8 mg/dL respectively, are indicative of impaired kidney function, which is consistent with CKD².
Choice C reason: A BUN level of 10 mg/dL and creatinine level of 0.3 mg/dL are lower than the expected values for a client with CKD, indicating better kidney function than typically seen in CKD².
Choice D reason: A BUN level of 23 mg/dL and creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL may be slightly elevated but are not as indicative of CKD as the values in choice B².
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hypermagnesemia, or high levels of magnesium in the blood, is not typically associated with refeeding syndrome. Instead, refeeding syndrome can lead to hypomagnesemia, which is a low level of magnesium in the blood, due to shifts of magnesium into the cells during insulin secretion in the refeeding process.
Choice B reason: Hyponatremia, or low levels of sodium in the blood, is not a hallmark of refeeding syndrome. While fluid shifts can affect sodium levels, the key electrolyte disturbances in refeeding syndrome involve phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.
Choice C reason: Hyperkalemia, or high levels of potassium in the blood, is not a common finding in refeeding syndrome. Similar to magnesium, potassium can shift into cells during refeeding, which can actually lead to hypokalemia, or low levels of potassium in the blood.
Choice D reason: Hypophosphatemia, or low levels of phosphorus in the blood, is the hallmark of refeeding syndrome. When a malnourished individual is refed, insulin secretion is stimulated by the increased carbohydrate intake. Insulin promotes cellular uptake of glucose, which is accompanied by phosphate, potassium, and magnesium, leading to a decrease in the serum levels of these electrolytes. Phosphorus is critical for cellular processes, and its deficiency can lead to muscle weakness, respiratory failure, hemolysis, and impaired cardiac function. During refeeding, careful monitoring of electrolytes is essential to prevent and manage refeeding syndrome. Hypophosphatemia is the most significant laboratory finding to anticipate in a patient with refeeding syndrome, and it requires prompt recognition and treatment to prevent serious complications.
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