A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury and suspects the client is developing autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Place the client in a sitting position
Examine the client for areas of skin breakdown
Check the client's bladder for distention
Check the client for a fecal impaction
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:Placing the client in a sitting position helps to lower blood pressure by promoting venous return and is the first action to take in cases of autonomic dysreflexia²³.
Choice B reason:While examining for skin breakdown is important, it is not the first action to take when autonomic dysreflexia is suspected.
Choice C reason:Checking the bladder for distention is a critical step, but it should be done after positioning the client to address immediate blood pressure concerns.
Choice D reason:Checking for fecal impaction is also important but follows the initial step of positioning the client to manage blood pressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Morphine is used to manage pain and anxiety after the initial acute phase of an MI.
Choice B reason: Aspirin is used in the initial treatment of MI to prevent further clot formation but is not primarily for pain and anxiety management.
Choice C reason: Oxygen is administered during the acute phase of an MI if the patient is hypoxic.
Choice D reason: Nitroglycerin is used to manage chest pain in MI but is not the primary medication for general pain and anxiety post-acute phase.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:Lactulose is used in hepatic encephalopathy primarily to lower blood ammonia levels. It works by converting ammonia in the intestines into ammonium, which is then excreted³. Therefore, a decrease in ammonia levels would indicate the effectiveness of the medication.
Choice B reason:While lactulose can relieve constipation due to its laxative effect, relief of constipation is not the primary indicator of its effectiveness in treating hepatic encephalopathy³.
Choice C reason:Decreased liver enzymes are not a direct measure of lactulose's effectiveness in hepatic encephalopathy. Liver enzymes are indicators of liver function, not ammonia levels³.
Choice D reason:Relief of abdominal pain is not a specific indicator of lactulose's effectiveness in hepatic encephalopathy. The medication's primary role is to reduce ammonia levels, not to alleviate pain³.
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