A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a sickle cell crisis. During morning care, the assistive personnel alerts the nurse that the client is slurring their speech. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Assess the client's bilateral hand grasp strength.
Place a padded tongue blade at the client's bedside.
Check the client's bedside glucose level.
Administer flumazenil IV per facility policy to the client.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Assess the client's bilateral hand grasp strength: Slurred speech in a client with sickle cell crisis raises concern for stroke due to vaso-occlusion in cerebral vessels. Assessing hand grasp strength helps evaluate for unilateral weakness, a key indicator of stroke, necessitating immediate intervention.
B. Place a padded tongue blade at the client's bedside: There is no indication the client is experiencing a seizure. Seizure precautions are not a priority unless additional neurological symptoms suggest seizure activity.
C. Check the client's bedside glucose level: Hypoglycemia can cause slurred speech, but in a client with sickle cell disease, stroke is a more likely cause. Assessing neurological function should take precedence over checking glucose unless the client has a history of diabetes or other risk factors.
D. Administer flumazenil IV per facility policy to the client: Flumazenil is used to reverse benzodiazepine overdose. There is no indication that the client has received benzodiazepines or is experiencing medication toxicity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Blood pressure 108/62 mm Hg: Lisinopril is an antihypertensive, and a systolic BP above 90 mm Hg is typically not considered an adverse effect. Hypotension can occur but is more concerning if it results in symptoms such as dizziness or syncope.
B. Potassium 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L): Lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia, but a potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L is within the normal range. Monitoring potassium levels is essential, but this finding does not indicate an adverse effect.
C. Frequent, nonproductive cough: A dry, persistent cough is a common adverse effect of lisinopril due to the accumulation of bradykinin. It often does not resolve until the medication is discontinued or switched to an alternative, such as an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).
D. Frequent, painless urination: Lisinopril does not typically cause increased urination. While it affects renal function, it is more likely to lead to hyperkalemia or reduced glomerular filtration rate in susceptible individuals.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A palpable thrill at the fistula site: A palpable thrill is a normal finding that indicates proper blood flow through the arteriovenous fistula. The absence of a thrill would be concerning, as it may suggest clotting or dysfunction of the vascular access.
B. Hyperglycemia: Hemodialysis does not typically cause hyperglycemia. Clients with diabetes may experience fluctuations in blood glucose levels, but dialysis itself is more commonly associated with hypoglycemia due to the removal of glucose from the bloodstream.
C. Altered mental status: Neurological changes such as confusion, restlessness, or decreased responsiveness may indicate dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS). This complication results from rapid fluid and solute shifts, leading to cerebral edema. It is a serious condition requiring immediate intervention.
D. Decrease in weight: A decrease in weight following hemodialysis is expected due to fluid removal. Clients are weighed before and after dialysis to monitor fluid balance, and weight loss after treatment indicates effective fluid removal rather than a complication.
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