A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assessing a client who has had a stroke. For which of the following findings should the nurse initiate a referral for occupational therapy?
Difficulty performing ADLs
Inability to swallow clear liquids
Elevated blood glucose levels
Unsteady gait when ambulating
The Correct Answer is A
A. Correct. Difficulty performing ADLs such as dressing, grooming, bathing, or feeding may indicate that the client has impaired motor function, sensory perception, or cognitive ability due to the stroke, which can affect their independence and quality of life. Occupational therapy can help the client regain or adapt their skills and abilities for daily living.
B. Incorrect. Inability to swallow clear liquids may indicate that the client has dysphagia or impaired swallowing function due to the stroke, which can increase their risk of aspiration and malnutrition. Speech therapy can help the client improve their swallowing function and provide recommendations for safe oral intake.
C. Incorrect. Elevated blood glucose levels may indicate that the client has diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose metabolism due to the stroke, which can affect their healing and recovery process and increase their risk of complications such as infection or hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia episodes. Diabetes education and management can help the client control their blood glucose levels and prevent adverse outcomes.
D. Incorrect. Unsteady gait when ambulating may indicate that the client has impaired balance, coordination, or muscle strength due to the stroke, which can affect their mobility and safety and increase their risk of falls or injuries. Physical therapy can help the client improve their gait and mobility and provide assistive devices if needed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E","F"]
Explanation
A. Blood pressure: A normal blood pressure for an adolescent is 110/70 mm Hg. The question does not provide the adolescent's blood pressure, so it cannot be determined if it requires follow-up or not.
B. Capillary refill: A normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. A prolonged capillary refill time indicates impaired blood flow to the extremity, which could be due to vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or shock.
C. Pedal pulse: A normal pedal pulse is +2 or +3. A weak pedal pulse (+1) indicates reduced blood flow to the extremity, which could be due to vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or shock.
D. Heart rate: A normal heart rate for an adolescent is 60 to 100 beats per minute. The question does not provide the adolescent's heart rate, so it cannot be determined if it requires follow-up or not.
E. Skin temperature: A normal skin temperature is warm and dry. A cool skin temperature indicates reduced blood flow to the extremity, which could be due to vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or shock.
F. Pain: A pain level of 10 on a scale of 0 to 10 indicates severe pain that needs to be managed with appropriate analgesics and nonpharmacological interventions.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A is correct because delegating non-nursing tasks to ancillary staff allows nurses to focus on more complex and skilled tasks that require their expertise and judgment, thus improving efficiency and quality of care.
B is incorrect because stocking client rooms with extra supplies increases waste and costs, as well as clutter and infection risk.
C is incorrect because assigning dedicated equipment to each client's room reduces availability and accessibility of equipment for other clients, as well as increases maintenance and cleaning costs.
D is incorrect because changing continuous IV infusion tubing every 24 hr is not cost-effective, as it does not reduce the risk of infection significantly compared to changing it every 72 hr, according to current evidence-based practice guidelines.
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