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 D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Tenderness in the left upper abdomen is not typically associated with an obstruction of the common bile duct. This symptom is more commonly related to conditions affecting the stomach, pancreas, or spleen. The common bile duct is in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, and tenderness in this area might be expected with its obstruction.
Choice B reason: Ecchymosis of the extremities is not a common finding in common bile duct obstruction. Ecchymosis, or bruising, is usually due to trauma, blood disorders, or other causes of fragile blood vessels and is not related to bile duct issues.
Choice C reason: Pale-colored urine is the opposite of what might be expected with common bile duct obstruction. Typically, the urine may become dark due to increased bilirubin levels that are excreted by the kidneys when the bile duct is obstructed.
Choice D reason: Fatty stools, or steatorrhea, are a classic finding in common bile duct obstruction. When bile flow is blocked, fats are not properly digested and absorbed, leading to stools that are bulky, greasy, and often have a foul odor. This occurs because bile is necessary for the emulsification and absorption of dietary fats in the intestine.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: A distended bladder is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia. It can trigger an exaggerated response from the autonomic nervous system, leading to a rapid increase in blood pressure. This is because the full bladder sends signals to the spinal cord, which then attempts to send signals to the brain. However, due to the injury, these signals cannot pass through, resulting in a reflex that increases blood pressure.
Choice B reason: While a severe headache is a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, it is not a cause. The headache results from the body's response to a triggering stimulus, such as a distended bladder, which leads to the high blood pressure characteristic of autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice C reason: Nasal congestion is not typically a cause of autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is usually triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of the spinal cord injury, such as a full bladder or bowel, skin irritation, or other types of physical discomfort.
Choice D reason: Elevated blood pressure is a symptom, not a cause, of autonomic dysreflexia. The condition itself causes a sudden spike in blood pressure due to an uncontrolled reflex sympathetic discharge in response to a triggering stimulus below the level of the injury.
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