A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety. When using clinical decision making, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Measure the client's manifestations using an anxiety rating scale.

Initiate a referral to a local support group.

Assist in finding alternative ways to cope.

Administer an antianxiety medication.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Measure the client's manifestations using an anxiety rating scale: This action is essential as the first step because it allows the nurse to accurately assess the severity of the client's anxiety. Understanding the level of anxiety helps in planning appropriate interventions and monitoring the effectiveness of any treatment provided. Accurate assessment is foundational in clinical decision making.

B) Initiate a referral to a local support group: While beneficial, referring the client to a support group should follow an initial assessment. Support groups can offer long-term benefits, but immediate needs and severity must be evaluated first.

C) Assist in finding alternative ways to cope: Helping the client develop coping strategies is an important intervention. However, before suggesting specific coping mechanisms, the nurse needs to understand the current level of anxiety and how it affects the client. This ensures that the coping strategies are appropriately tailored.

D) Administer an antianxiety medication: Administering medication can be crucial in managing severe anxiety, but this step should come after a thorough assessment. The nurse needs to determine if medication is necessary and what dosage might be appropriate, based on the anxiety rating scale and other assessment findings.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Monitor the client for an elevated RBC count.: While an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) is more indicative of appendicitis, an elevated RBC count is not typically used to diagnose appendicitis.

B. Instruct the client to not eat food or drink liquids.: This is important as it prepares the client for a potential surgical procedure. If the appendix is inflamed and surgery is necessary, the client should not eat or drink to prevent complications related to anesthesia and surgery.

C. Administer an enema to the client.: Administering an enema is not recommended as it can increase the risk of perforation of the appendix, which is a serious complication.

D. Maintain the client in a supine position.: While maintaining a supine position may be necessary, it is not as critical as ensuring the client remains NPO (nil per os) in preparation for possible surgery. The position is less of a priority compared to dietary restrictions in this scenario.

A. Double-bag the client's trash before removing it from the room. B. Place the client in a negative air pressure room with 6 to 12 air exchanges per hour. C. Ensure all air in the client's room is filtered through a HEPA filter. D. Wear a surgical mask when within 1 m (3 ft) of the client.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Double-bag the client's trash before removing it from the room: While double-bagging is a precaution used in certain infections to prevent contamination, it is not necessary for influenza. Influenza spreads via respiratory droplets rather than contact with contaminated objects. Standard waste disposal methods are typically sufficient to manage the risk of contamination from trash.

B) Place the client in a negative air pressure room with 6 to 12 air exchanges per hour: Negative air pressure rooms are designed to contain airborne pathogens by preventing contaminated air from escaping the room. Diseases such as tuberculosis or measles require this level of isolation. However, influenza spreads through droplets that settle quickly rather than remaining airborne, making negative air pressure rooms unnecessary for influenza isolation.

C) Ensure all air in the client's room is filtered through a HEPA filter: HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are used to trap airborne particles. For influenza, which is spread by larger respiratory droplets, such filtration is not needed. The droplets are too large to remain suspended in the air and are typically spread through close contact, rather than requiring air filtration.

D) Wear a surgical mask when within 1 m (3 ft) of the client: This is the most appropriate precaution. Influenza is primarily spread through respiratory droplets that can travel about 1 meter (3 feet) when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Wearing a surgical mask within this distance helps prevent inhaling these droplets, thus reducing the risk of transmission. This aligns with droplet precautions which are standard for managing influenza.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety. When using clinical decision making, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has the communicable disease influenza. Which of the following isolation precautions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has benign prostatic hypertrophy and a new prescription for tamsulosin. The nurse should instruct the client to notify the provider of which of the following findings as an adverse effect of tamsulosin?

A nurse is planning to administer the first dose of iron dextran intermittent IV bolus for a client who has iron-deficiency anemia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take?

A nurse is teaching a client who has venous insufficiency due to deep-vein thrombosis. Which of the following Instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is to undergo a transurethral resection of the prostate to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy. Which of the following client statements should the nurse identify as an understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results of a client who has a family history of hyperlipidemia and cardiac disease. Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider?

A nurse is teaching the parent of a school-age child who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse Include in the teaching?

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following cataract surgery. Which of the following Instructions should the nurse Include?

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and her partner about how to manage severe hypoglycemia at home. Which of the following actions should the nurse instruct the partner to perform first?