A patient is given lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, to decrease symptoms of anxiety and restlessness on the evening prior to planned surgery. The nurse knows that the patient is experiencing a paradoxical drug reaction when which of the following is assessed?

Choice A rationale:

Requiring the child to be free from nits before returning to school might not be an accurate understanding of the situation. Nits are the eggs of head lice and may remain attached to the hair even after effective treatment. The presence of live lice is a more crucial factor to consider.

Choice B rationale:

Throwing out toys that can't be dry cleaned or washed is an unnecessary and extreme measure. Head lice do not survive long away from the human scalp, so the risk of transmission through inanimate objects like toys is minimal. Thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming the environment is more effective.

Choice C rationale:

Treating all family members is indeed a prudent approach. Head lice can spread easily within households, especially among close contacts. Treating everyone helps prevent re-infestation and disrupts the lice life cycle.

Choice D rationale:

Washing recently used clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water is a correct understanding of how to manage head lice. The high temperature kills lice and their eggs. It is an essential step in preventing the spread of lice and re-infestation.

Choice A rationale:

Pneumonia is not likely to be the correct answer. Pneumonia is often characterized by productive cough, fever, chest pain, and increased tactile fremitus due to consolidation of lung tissue. The presence of barrel chest, decreased tactile fremitus, and hyperresonant percussion sounds is not consistent with pneumonia.

Choice B rationale:

Atelectasis is not the most likely option. Atelectasis refers to collapsed or partially collapsed lung tissue, which can lead to decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus. The symptoms mentioned in the scenario, such as prolonged expiration, wheezes, and barrel chest, are not indicative of atelectasis.

Choice C rationale:

Pleural effusion is not the most suitable choice. Pleural effusion usually presents with decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, and decreased tactile fremitus over the affected area due to fluid accumulation in the pleural space. The hyperresonant percussion sounds and the presence of wheezes and rhonchi do not align with pleural effusion.

Choice D rationale:

Emphysema is the most likely disorder based on the given symptoms. Barrel chest (increased anterior-posterior chest diameter), limited lung expansion, decreased tactile fremitus, hyperresonant percussion sounds, prolonged expiration, wheezes, and rhonchi are characteristic findings of emphysema. This condition involves damage to the alveoli and their supporting structures, leading to air trapping, reduced lung elasticity, and obstructed airflow. The patient's use of accessory muscles to breathe further suggests a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) like emphysema.