A nurse is caring for a client following a stroke. The client has right-sided weakness and facial drooping. Which of the following nursing actions is the priority?
Change the client's position every 2 hr.
Place the client's right hand in a supination position.
Maintain NPO status for the client.
Perform range-of-motion exercises to the client's extremities.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Change the client's position every 2 hr: Repositioning helps prevent skin breakdown and promotes circulation, which is important for stroke clients. However, it does not address the most immediate risk associated with right-sided weakness and facial drooping.
B. Place the client's right hand in a supination position: Proper positioning of the affected extremities prevents contractures and maintains joint alignment. While necessary for long-term care, it is not the highest priority in the immediate post-stroke period.
C. Maintain NPO status for the client: Right-sided weakness and facial drooping indicate potential dysphagia, placing the client at high risk for aspiration. Maintaining NPO status until a swallowing assessment is completed is the priority to prevent aspiration pneumonia, which is a life-threatening complication.
D. Perform range-of-motion exercises to the client's extremities: Range-of-motion exercises prevent contractures and maintain mobility. While important, this intervention is secondary to ensuring the client’s airway safety and preventing aspiration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. An assistive personnel can evaluate a client's response to medication: Assistive personnel do not have the education or licensure to evaluate medication effects. They can perform delegated tasks such as vital signs or basic care, but assessment and evaluation of clinical responses remain within the RN’s scope of practice.
B. An RN can initiate the plan of care for a client on admission: Registered nurses are responsible for performing assessments, identifying nursing diagnoses, and developing an individualized plan of care upon admission. This is a core component of the RN’s legal scope of practice and requires professional judgment.
C. An RN can delegate blood administration to a licensed practical nurse: Blood administration is a high-risk procedure that generally cannot be delegated to an LPN in many states due to its complexity and potential for adverse reactions. The RN retains responsibility for administration and monitoring.
D. A licensed practical nurse can provide initial discharge instructions: Providing initial discharge instructions requires comprehensive assessment, education, and evaluation, which are within the RN’s scope of practice. LPNs may reinforce education but cannot independently provide initial instructions.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Severe hypertension: Cushing’s triad is characterized by increased systolic blood pressure with widening pulse pressure as a compensatory response to maintain cerebral perfusion during increased intracranial pressure. Severe hypertension is a hallmark finding.
B. Narrowed pulse pressure: In Cushing’s triad, the pulse pressure is typically widened, not narrowed, due to elevated systolic pressure and relatively lower diastolic pressure. Narrowed pulse pressure does not reflect the classic pattern associated with increased ICP.
C. Diastolic murmur: A diastolic murmur is a cardiac finding unrelated to increased intracranial pressure and is not a component of Cushing’s triad. It does not provide information about cerebral perfusion or ICP.
D. Increased heart rate: Cushing’s triad involves bradycardia rather than tachycardia, as part of the body’s compensatory response to elevated ICP. An increased heart rate is inconsistent with this classic presentation.
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