A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a basal skull fracture. When performing morning hygiene care, the nurse notices a thin stream of clear drainage coming from out of the client's right nostril. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Test the drainage for glucose.
Take the client's temperature.
Notify the charge nurse.
Place a dressing under the client's nose.
The Correct Answer is A
The first action the nurse should take is to test the drainage for glucose. Clear drainage from the nose following a basal skull fracture could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. CSF contains glucose, so testing the drainage for glucose can help determine if it is CSF.
b. Taking the client's temperature is not the first action the nurse should take.
c. Notifying the charge nurse is important but not the first action the nurse should take.
d. Placing a dressing under the client's nose is not the first action the nurse should take.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should report sudden sleepiness to the provider immediately if the client has a traumatic head injury. Sudden sleepiness can indicate an increase in intracranial pressure, which can be a life-threatening complication of a head injury.
Headache, diplopia, and slight ataxia are also important findings that the nurse should report to the provider. However, these findings are not as urgent as sudden sleepiness. Headache can be a common symptom following a head injury. Diplopia is double vision and can indicate cranial nerve damage. Slight ataxia is unsteadiness or lack of coordination and can indicate neurological damage.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
When contributing to the plan of care for a client to achieve the outcome of functional healing of a fracture, the highest priority nursing intervention to assist in meeting this outcome is to maintain immobilization and alignment for the client. This helps to ensure that the bones are in the correct position to heal properly and can prevent complications such as malunion or nonunion.
a. Promoting independence in activities of daily living for the client is important, but it is not the highest priority intervention for achieving functional healing of a fracture.
b. Providing relief from pain and discomfort for the client is important, but it is not the highest priority intervention for achieving functional healing of a fracture.
d. Providing optimal nutrition and hydration for the client is important, but it is not the highest priority intervention for achieving functional healing of a fracture.
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