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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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should monitor the client for lethargy as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a rise in pressure around the brain that can occur due to various reasons such as brain injury, bleeding into the brain, swelling in the brain, or an increase in cerebrospinal fluid. Lethargy (feeling less alert than usual) is a common symptom of increased ICP.
a. Nuchal rigidity is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
b. Batle's sign is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
c. Polyuria is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should monitor the client for flank pain as an adverse effect of taking calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a calcium supplement used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency¹. One of the side effects of calcium carbonate is the formation of kidney stones, which can cause flank pain².
a. Urinary retention is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
b. Tinnitus is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
d. Bradycardia is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
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