A nurse is caring for a client whose throat culture is positive for group A streptococcus 24 hours after a rapid strep test (RST) was negative. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
Reinforce teaching about gargling with warm saline several times daily.
Ask the client to identify friends and family who have been in close contact.
Instruct the client to take antipyretics as directed for elevated temperature.
Notify the client to return to the clinic for initiation of antibiotic therapy.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
While gargling with warm saline can provide symptomatic relief for a sore throat, it does not address the underlying bacterial infection. Therefore, it is not the priority action once a diagnosis of group A streptococcus has been confirmed.
Choice B reason:
Identifying close contacts is important for public health tracking and potentially preventing the spread of the infection. However, the immediate priority for the client is the initiation of treatment to address the infection.
Choice C reason:
Taking antipyretics can help manage fever and provide comfort to the client. While managing symptoms is important, it is secondary to initiating antibiotic therapy, which addresses the cause of the symptoms.
Choice D reason:
The priority action is to notify the client to return to the clinic for initiation of antibiotic therapy. Group A streptococcus is a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics for treatment. Prompt initiation of antibiotics is crucial to prevent complications and promote recovery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Pneumothorax, a collapsed lung, can indeed cause shortness of breath and dyspnea. However, it is typically associated with a sudden onset of these symptoms following a chest injury or spontaneously in the case of a ruptured air blister. In the context of a femoral head fracture, pneumothorax is less likely unless there was additional trauma to the chest area.
Choice B reason:
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that leads to inflammation of the air sacs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus. Symptoms include cough with phlegm, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. While pneumonia could cause dyspnea, it usually develops due to an infectious process rather than directly from a femoral head fracture.
Choice C reason:
Airway obstruction involves a blockage that prevents air from passing freely to the lungs. It can be caused by foreign objects, swelling due to allergic reactions, or other medical conditions. The symptoms of airway obstruction include difficulty breathing, wheezing, and potential changes in skin color. However, airway obstruction is not commonly a direct complication of a femoral head fracture.
Choice D reason:
Fat embolism syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when fat globules enter the bloodstream and lodge within the pulmonary vasculature, leading to respiratory distress. It is a known complication following long bone fractures, such as the femur, and presents with symptoms like shortness of breath, hypoxemia, and neurological manifestations. Given the recent femoral head fracture and the symptoms reported, fat embolism syndrome is the most likely diagnosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This choice suggests a pH of 7.50, which is indicative of alkalosis, and not typically expected in a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD often leads to metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of acids in the body as the kidneys fail to excrete them. The HCO₃⁻ level of 20 mEq/L is slightly lower than the normal range (22-26 mEq/L), and the PaCO₂ of 32 mm Hg is within the normal range (35-45 mm Hg), but these values do not align with the expected acidosis associated with CKD.
Choice B reason:
This set of values is consistent with metabolic acidosis, which is commonly seen in clients with CKD. A pH of 7.25 indicates acidemia, and an HCO₃⁻ level of 19 mEq/L is below the normal range, suggesting a primary metabolic acidosis. The PaCO₂ of 30 mm Hg is at the lower end of the normal range, which may indicate a compensatory respiratory response to the metabolic acidosis.
Choice C reason:
A pH of 7.30, while on the lower side, is not as acidic as one would expect in a client with CKD. The HCO₃⁻ level of 26 mEq/L is within the normal range, and a PaCO₂ of 50 mm Hg suggests respiratory acidosis, which is not the primary disorder in CKD.
Choice D reason:
This choice indicates a pH of 7.55, which is too alkaline and not characteristic of CKD, where metabolic acidosis is the expected finding. An HCO₃⁻ level of 30 mEq/L is higher than the normal range, suggesting metabolic alkalosis. The PaCO₂ of 31 mm Hg is slightly below the normal range, possibly indicating a compensatory response, but it does not align with the metabolic acidosis typically seen in CKD.
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