A patient is brought to the emergency department after falling from a ladder and is exhibiting signs of confusion and disorientation.

The spouse reports that the patient seemed to have lost consciousness.

The nurse has been provided with a list of current medications and healthcare power of attorney.

When reporting to the healthcare provider using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication, which information should the nurse provide first?

The patient’s currently prescribed medications.

The increasing confusion of the patient.

The patient’s healthcare power of attorney.

The fall from a ladder as the reason for admission.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
While it’s important to know the patient’s current medications as they can influence the patient’s condition and treatment plan, this information is not the most critical to convey first in this situation.
Choice B rationale
The increasing confusion of the patient is a significant symptom, especially after a fall. It could indicate a possible head injury. However, the cause of the confusion (the fall) should be communicated first.
Choice C rationale
Knowing who holds the patient’s healthcare power of attorney is important, especially if the patient’s condition worsens and decisions need to be made on their behalf. However, this information is not the most critical to convey first.
Choice D rationale
The fall from a ladder as the reason for admission is the most important information to provide first. This gives the healthcare provider immediate context about the potential severity and type of injuries, guiding further assessment and treatment.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. They can include: Pain in the joint during or after use, or after periods of inactivity, Tenderness in the joint when you apply light pressure to or near it, Stiffness in the joint, that may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity, Loss of flexibility in the joint, Grating sensation or sound when you use the joint. But in this case, the client’s symptoms do not align with those of osteoarthritis.

Choice B rationale
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include: Tender, warm, swollen joints, Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity, Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite. The client’s symptoms align with those of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Choice C rationale
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, tingling and other symptoms in the hand and arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. The anatomy of your wrist, health problems and possibly repetitive hand motions can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. But in this case, the client’s symptoms do not align with those of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Choice D rationale
Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe. An attack of gout can occur suddenly, often waking you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big toe is on fire. The affected joint is hot, swollen and so tender that even the weight of the sheet on it may seem intolerable. But in this case, the client’s symptoms do not align with those of Gout.

A. Reinforce the connection of the chest tube to the container with tape. B. Immediately clamp the chest tube with a plastic clamp. C. Apply an occlusive dressing over the site of the chest tube. D. Ensure that the chest tubing is neither kinked nor hanging low.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Reinforcing the connection of the chest tube to the container with tape is not the immediate action to be taken when a client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious. This action might be necessary if the connection between the chest tube and the container is loose, but it does not address the immediate need of the client.
Choice B rationale
If a client with a chest tube becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious, the nurse should immediately clamp the chest tube with a plastic clamp. This is because the chest tube might have been disconnected from the water seal chamber, and clamping the tube can prevent air from entering the pleural space and causing a tension pneumothorax.
Choice C rationale

Applying an occlusive dressing over the site of the chest tube is not the immediate action to be taken when a client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious. This action might be necessary if the chest tube is accidentally removed, but it does not address the immediate need of the client.
Choice D rationale
Ensuring that the chest tubing is neither kinked nor hanging low is an important part of the ongoing care for a client with a chest tube, but it is not the immediate action to be taken when a client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client with a right hemopneumothorax has a chest tube connected to suction. While turning to the left side, the client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious. What should the nurse do next?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client is admitted for an exacerbation of heart failure (HF) and is being treated with diuretics for fluid volume excess. In planning nursing care, which interventions should the nurse include? Select all that apply.

The nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% dextrose IV for a patient with insulin shock. What is the appropriate method for administering the medication?

Upon entering a patient’s room to administer an IV antibiotic at 0900, the nurse discovers that the patient is engaged in sexual activity with a visitor. What should be the nurse’s course of action?

The nurse identifies an electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, and a weight gain of 4.4 lbs (2 kg) in 24 hours in a client with hepatic failure. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A client who is hypotensive is receiving dopamine, an adrenergic agonist, intravenously (IV) at the rate of 8 mg/kg/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement while administering this medication?

An adolescent patient with a non-union of a comminuted fracture of the tibia is admitted with osteomyelitis. After the healthcare provider collects bone aspirate specimens for culture and sensitivity and applies a cast to the adolescent’s lower leg, what should the nurse do next?