A nurse is completing the initial admission assessment and history for a critical client. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?
Develop a plan of care for the client
Provide a schedule of visiting hours to the client’s family
Teach the client about his diagnosis
Document the client’s code status
The Correct Answer is D
A. Develop a plan of care for the client:
Developing a plan of care is essential, but it should be informed by the client's current condition, diagnosis, and code status. Documenting the code status is a foundational step.
B. Provide a schedule of visiting hours to the client’s family:
While facilitating family involvement is important, it is not the top priority during the initial admission assessment. Ensuring the client's safety and understanding their code status takes precedence.
C. Teach the client about his diagnosis:
Patient education is important, but in a critical situation, the priority is to assess and document key information, including the code status. Education can follow once the immediate priorities are addressed.
D. Document the client’s code status
When conducting the initial admission assessment for a critical client, the priority action is to document the client's code status. Code status refers to the set of directives given by the client or their legal representative regarding the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other life-sustaining measures in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Understanding and documenting the client's code status is crucial for informing the healthcare team about the client's preferences for resuscitation efforts. This information guides the team in providing care that aligns with the client's wishes and values.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","E"]
Explanation
A. Place the client in semi-Fowler’s position:
While the semi-Fowler's position can be helpful in assessing respiratory function, it is not specifically required for measuring the respiratory rate. The key is to ensure the client is comfortable and able to breathe easily.
B. Have the client rest an arm across the abdomen:
Placing the arm across the abdomen is not a standard practice for measuring respiratory rate. The key is to allow the client to breathe naturally, and this position is not necessary for accurate measurement.
C. Observe one full respiratory cycle before counting the rate:
This ensures that the count is accurate and reflective of the client's typical breathing pattern.
D. Count the rate for 30 seconds if it is irregular:
When measuring the respiratory rate, it is generally recommended to count for a full minute to obtain an accurate representation of the client's breathing pattern. Counting for 30 seconds may underestimate or overestimate the rate, especially if the irregularity is not consistent.
E. Count and report any sighs the client demonstrates:
Sighs can be indicative of emotional or physiological stress, and noting them is important for a comprehensive respiratory assessment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Comatose:
Coma refers to a state of deep unconsciousness where the individual is unresponsive to stimuli, including pain or external stimulation. In the scenario described, the patient is not comatose because they can be awakened by gentle shaking and calling their name.
B. Awake and alert:
This term describes a state of full alertness and responsiveness to the environment. The patient in the scenario is not fully awake and alert since they appear drowsy most of the time and require external stimuli to be awakened.
C. Lethargic:
Lethargy is characterized by drowsiness, reduced alertness, and a sluggish response to stimuli. In the scenario, the patient is described as drowsy most of the time but can be awakened by gentle shaking and calling their name. This aligns with the characteristics of lethargy.
D. Stuporous:
Stupor is a state of reduced responsiveness where the individual can be aroused only by vigorous or painful stimuli. The patient in the scenario does not fit the criteria for stupor as they can be awakened by gentle shaking and calling their name.
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