A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has hyperthermia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Cover the adolescent with a thermal blanket.
Submerge the adolescent’s feet in ice water.
Initiate seizure precautions.
Administer oral acetaminophen.
The Correct Answer is C
Hyperthermia is a condition in which the body temperature is abnormally high, usually due to exposure to heat, infection, or certain medications. Hyperthermia can cause neurological complications, such as seizures, confusion, or coma. Therefore, the nurse should initiate seizure precautions for an adolescent who has hyperthermia to prevent injury and protect the airway.
Choice A is wrong because covering the adolescent with a thermal blanket would increase the body temperature and worsen hyperthermia. The nurse should remove excess clothing and use cooling measures, such as fans, ice packs, or cool fluids.
Choice B is wrong because submerging the adolescent’s feet in ice water would cause vasoconstriction and shivering, which would reduce heat loss and increase heat production. The nurse should avoid using extreme cold or ice water to cool the body.
Choice D is wrong because administering oral acetaminophen would not be effective for hyperthermia caused by non-infectious factors, such as heat exposure or medications.
Acetaminophen lowers the body temperature by reducing the hypothalamic set point, which is not altered in hyperthermia. Additionally, oral medications may be difficult to swallow or absorb in a hyperthermic patient.
Normal body temperature ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F). Hyperthermia is defined as a body temperature above 38.5°C (101.3°F).
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is c. Remove the cap and place it sterile-side up on a clean surface.
Choice A rationale:
Placing sterile gauze over areas of spilled solution within the sterile field is incorrect. If solution is spilled within the sterile field, the entire field should be considered contaminated and a new sterile field should be set up
Choice B rationale:
Holding the irrigation solution bottle with the label facing away from the palm of the hand is incorrect. The label should face the palm of the hand to avoid contamination of the sterile field
Choice C rationale:
Removing the cap and placing it sterile-side up on a clean surface is correct. This ensures that the sterile side of the cap remains sterile and can be used to recap the bottle after pouring the solution
Choice D rationale:
Holding the bottle in the center of the sterile field when pouring the solution is incorrect. The bottle should be held over the edge of the sterile field to avoid contamination of the field if solution spills
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice b. “I can start the medication 30 minutes earlier.”.
Choice A rationale:
Adjusting the time and schedule for convenience is not appropriate for medications like vancomycin, which require precise timing to maintain therapeutic levels and avoid resistance.
Choice B rationale:
Starting the medication 30 minutes earlier is a reasonable adjustment that maintains the medication’s effectiveness and safety.
Choice C rationale:
Administering the medication up to 2 hours after the usual schedule time is incorrect because it could lead to subtherapeutic levels and reduced effectiveness.
Choice D rationale:
Infusing the medication at a faster rate is unsafe as it increases the risk of adverse reactions, such as "red man syndrome".
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