A nurse is caring for a client in a clinic.
Vital Signs 0915:
Temperature 36.7° C (98° F)
BP 122/80 mm Hg Respiratory rate 20/min Heart rate 99/min
Nurses' Notes 0900:
A 16-year-old client reports to the clinic with their caregiver. The client's caregiver informs the nurse that the client has "not been themselves lately." The client's parents and a sibling passed away from injuries sustained when a tornado moved through their town 1 month ago. They were the only survivors and witnessed their family's deaths.
0910:
The client appears anxious but answers appropriately for age. They report experiencing nightmares that awaken them at night and startle easily during thunderstorms, but the client admits that they have always been afraid of thunderstorms. The client admits to smoking marijuana for about 1 month because it helps clear their mind. They also admit that they have no desire to leave the house. They attend school regularly and are on the honor roll.
Based on the information in the client's medical record, which of the following findings requires immediate follow-up?
Select the 4 findings that require follow-up.
Attends school regularly
Caregiver reporting client acting differently than usual
Witnessing their family's death
Heart rate 99/min
Smoking marijuana to clear their mind
Client experiences nightmares
Client experiences nightmares
Startles easy during thunderstorm
Correct Answer : B,C,E,F
A. Attends school regularly: While attending school regularly is important, it is not an immediate concern that requires follow-up compared to the other more pressing issues related to the traumatic event and the client's mental well-being.
B. Caregiver reporting client acting differently than usual: This finding requires immediate follow-up because it indicates a change in the client's behavior and could be indicative of emotional distress or mental health issues, especially considering the recent traumatic event they experienced.
C. Witnessing their family's death: Witnessing the death of family members in a traumatic event like a tornado is a significant and potentially traumatizing experience that requires immediate follow-up and support.
D. Heart rate 99/min: While a heart rate of 99/min is slightly elevated, it is not a critical finding that requires immediate follow-up in this context. The other findings are more relevant to the client's psychological well-being.
E. Smoking marijuana to clear their mind: The client's use of marijuana to cope with their thoughts and feelings should be addressed promptly, as it could indicate maladaptive coping mechanisms or potential substance abuse.
F. Client experiences nightmares: Experiencing nightmares could be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health concerns related to the traumatic event.
G. BP 122/80 mm Hg: A blood pressure of 122/80 mm Hg is within a normal range and is not a cause for immediate concern.
H. Startles easy during thunderstorm: While startle responses can be related to anxiety, this specific finding is not as pressing as the client's reported coping mechanisms and traumatic experiences.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Based on the client's sudden right-sided numbness, weakness of the arm and leg, and distinct right-sided facial droop, the nurse should suspect a possible stroke and prioritize immediate interventions. After reporting the findings to the healthcare provider and receiving prescriptions, the nurse should implement the following intervention:
Notify the stroke team to assist with acute assessment and management. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires urgent intervention and specialized care. The stroke team is trained to quickly assess and manage stroke patients, including performing necessary diagnostic tests and initiating appropriate treatment. In this case, a STAT computerized tomography (CT) scan of the head has been ordered, indicating the need to evaluate the client's brain for possible ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
While keeping the bed in the lowest position and initiating seizure and fall precautions may be important considerations for stroke patients, notifying the stroke team takes precedence as they are specifically trained to manage acute stroke cases.
Administering aspirin to prevent further clot formation and platelet clumping is not appropriate without further assessment and confirmation of the type of stroke.
Additionally, testing for a swallowing reflex and performing communication deficit assessments can be important components of the overall stroke management plan, but they should be carried out by the stroke team or as directed by the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Administering the medication 30 minutes earlier may not be appropriate without specific orders from the provider.
B. Infusing the medication at a faster rate is not a solution for adjusting the timing of the dose.
C. Administering the medication up to 2 hours after the usual schedule time is incorrect because it could lead to subtherapeutic levels and reduced effectiveness.
D. Adjusting the medication schedule solely for the convenience of the client without consulting the provider is not recommended.
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