A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department (ED)
Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's progress.
The Correct Answer is []
Rationale for correct choices:
- Opioid intoxication: The client exhibits classic signs of opioid overdose, including shallow respirations, bradypnea, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, slurred speech, and constricted pupils. These findings, combined with a history of oxycodone use, indicate opioid intoxication requiring immediate intervention.
- Obtain a prescription for naloxone: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the respiratory depression, sedation, and other life-threatening effects of opioid overdose. Timely administration can prevent respiratory failure and death.
- Prepare to initiate mechanical ventilation: The client’s respiratory rate is critically low (10/min) with oxygen saturation at 90%, indicating inadequate ventilation. Mechanical ventilation may be required to maintain oxygenation and prevent hypoxia while naloxone takes effect.
- Pupillary reaction: Monitoring pupillary constriction or dilation helps assess the client’s response to opioid reversal therapy and can indicate ongoing central nervous system depression or improvement.
- Respiratory rate: Continuous monitoring of respiratory rate is essential because hypoventilation is the most immediate life-threatening effect of opioid intoxication. Changes indicate whether interventions like naloxone or ventilation are effective.
Rationale for incorrect choices:
- Alcohol intoxication: Although the client has a history of alcohol use disorder, the current symptoms of miosis, hypoventilation, and hypotension are more consistent with opioid toxicity rather than acute alcohol intoxication.
- Opioid withdrawal: Withdrawal presents with agitation, tachypnea, hypertension, dilated pupils, diaphoresis, and GI upset. This client’s bradycardia, hypotension, and hypoventilation indicate intoxication, not withdrawal.
- Stimulant intoxication: Stimulant overdose typically presents with hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, and agitation. The client’s hypotension, bradycardia, and CNS depression are inconsistent with stimulant use.
- Anticipate administering clonidine: Clonidine is used for opioid withdrawal management, not acute intoxication. Administering it in this scenario would not address the life-threatening hypoventilation or CNS depression.
- Collect a blood sample for ethanol level: While it may be helpful for history, ethanol testing does not address the immediate life-threatening opioid overdose and is not a priority intervention.
- Obtain prescription for restraints: There is no indication for restraints. The client’s symptoms are due to CNS depression, and restraints would not improve their condition and could worsen injury risk.
- Hyperreflexia: This is a sign of opioid withdrawal or CNS stimulant activity, not opioid intoxication. The client’s deep tendon reflexes are decreased, consistent with CNS depression.
- Cardiac arrhythmias: While arrhythmias can occur, there is no evidence in this assessment of dysrhythmias. Monitoring vital signs and oxygenation is more immediately critical.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Abdominal pain: While abdominal pain can occur with peritonitis, it often develops after the initial changes in the dialysate effluent. Pain may also be related to catheter placement or dialysate temperature, so it is not the earliest definitive indicator.
B. Cloudy effluent: Cloudy dialysate is typically the first and most reliable sign of peritonitis in clients receiving peritoneal dialysis. It indicates the presence of white blood cells and infection in the peritoneal cavity before systemic symptoms appear.
C. Nausea: Nausea may occur later as part of the systemic inflammatory response, but it is nonspecific and can be caused by multiple factors, including the dialysis process itself or other gastrointestinal disturbances.
D. Fever: Fever is a later manifestation of peritonitis, often developing after local signs are present. It indicates systemic involvement and immune activation but is not the earliest detectable change.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Tell the client, "You seem to be very upset.": Using verbal de-escalation and acknowledging the client’s emotions can help reduce agitation. This approach demonstrates empathy, promotes communication, and can prevent escalation.
B. Use a face shield with a mask when providing care to the client: Personal protective equipment is important for infection control, but it does not address the behavioral escalation or help calm an agitated client.
C. Initiate seclusion protocol: Seclusion is a restrictive intervention used only if the client poses an imminent risk of harm. It is not the first step in managing agitation and should follow attempts at de-escalation.
D. Engage the panic alarm: Activating the panic alarm is appropriate in situations of immediate danger, but for verbal agitation and pacing without aggression, de-escalation is the first intervention.
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