A nurse is caring for an adolescent who states an intention to self-harm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Maintain continuous observation of the adolescent.
Apply wrist restraints to the adolescent.
Collect data about the adolescent's mental status.
Obtain consent from the adolescent's guardian for the application of restraints.
The Correct Answer is A
The nurse should maintain continuous observation of the adolescent.
Choice A reason:
The first and most crucial action when a patient expresses an intention to self-harm is to ensure their safety. By maintaining continuous observation, the nurse can closely monitor the adolescent's behavior and intervene promptly if any signs of self-harm emerge. This action helps prevent immediate harm and allows for timely interventions.
Choice B reason:
Applying wrist restraints to the adolescent (Choice B) would not be appropriate in this situation. Restraints are typically used as a last resort for patients who pose a danger to themselves or others and only when less restrictive measures have failed. In the case of self- harm, using restraints can increase the patient's distress and potentially worsen the situation.
Choice C reason:
Collecting data about the adolescent's mental status (Choice C) is an essential step in understanding their overall condition, but it should not be the first action taken. While gathering data is important for a comprehensive assessment, immediate safety concerns must take precedence.
Choice D reason:
Obtaining consent from the adolescent's guardian for the application of restraints (Choice D) is not the first priority when the patient expresses an intention to self-harm. The focus should be on ensuring the patient's immediate safety, and consent for restraints may be necessary only if other interventions prove inadequate.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Birth weight has doubled.
Choice A reason:
The nurse should not expect a positive Babinski sign in a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. The Babinski sign is a reflex seen in infants up to about 1 year of age and disappears as the nervous system matures. Its presence in a 4-year-old would be abnormal and may indicate neurological issues.
Choice B reason:
The nurse should not expect birth height to double in a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. While children do experience significant growth in their early years, it is unlikely that birth height will have doubled by the age of 4. Doubling of birth height would be an atypical finding.
Choice C reason:
The correct choice. The nurse should expect that the child's birth weight has doubled during a well-child visit. From birth to age 4, children typically experience substantial weight gain, and doubling of birth weight is a common milestone in healthy development.
Choice D reason:
The nurse should not expect the presence of permanent teeth in a 4-year-old child during a well-child visit. Permanent teeth typically begin to emerge around 6 years of age and continue to erupt over the following years. The appearance of permanent teeth at age 4 would be premature and unusual.
Correct Answer is ["A"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: The correct answer is choice A. The nurse should expect the presence of the Moro reflex in a 6-month-old infant. The Moro reflex is a normal primitive reflex seen in infants up to about 6 months of age. When the infant experiences a sudden loss of support or a loud noise, they react by extending their arms and legs and then pulling them back in, as if trying to grasp onto something. This reflex is an important indicator of the baby's neurological development.
Choice B reason:
The birth weight doubling by 6 months of age is a typical growth milestone for infants. However, this statement is not correct in the context of the question, as it is not something the nurse should "expect” during a well-child visit. Instead, it is a general developmental milestone that healthcare providers monitor over time.
Choice C reason:
The correct answer is choice C. The nurse should expect the posterior fontanel to be closed in a 6-month-old infant. Fontanels are soft spots on a baby's skull that allow for brain growth during early development. The posterior fontanel, located at the back of the head, is typically closed by 6 months of age.
Choice D reason:
The correct answer is choice D. At 6 months of age, many infants can sit unsupported. However, not all infants achieve this milestone at the exact same age. Some may achieve it a bit earlier, while others might take a little more time. It is essential for the nurse to assess the infant's developmental progress and provide appropriate guidance to the parents.
Choice E:
The correct answer is choice E. By 6 months of age, some infants may be able to move from their back to their front. This is usually accomplished through rolling over. However, like other developmental milestones, the age at which infants achieve this can vary. Therefore, while the nurse may expect this ability in some infants, it is not something that all 6-month- old infants will have mastered at the time of the well-child visit.
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