A postoperative client following a thyroidectomy suddenly develops difficulty breathing, stridor, and an increase in swelling of the anterior neck area. What should the nurse do first?
Activate the hospital’s emergency or rapid response system.
Place a heart monitor on the client and observe for dysrhythmias.
Ask the charge nurse to come see the client immediately.
Check the client’s blood pressure and heart rate.
Provide a calm and assuring environment for the client.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Activating the hospital’s emergency or rapid response system is the most appropriate first action in this scenario. The client is exhibiting signs of a potentially life-threatening condition, such as airway obstruction or severe swelling that could compromise breathing. Immediate intervention by a rapid response team can provide the necessary advanced airway management and other critical care measures to stabilize the patient. This action prioritizes the client’s airway, breathing, and circulation, which are the fundamental aspects of emergency care.
Choice B Reason:
Placing a heart monitor on the client and observing for dysrhythmias is important but not the immediate priority in this situation. While monitoring the heart is crucial, the client’s airway and breathing issues take precedence. Addressing the airway obstruction and ensuring adequate breathing should be the first step before focusing on cardiac monitoring.
Choice C Reason:
Asking the charge nurse to come see the client immediately is a reasonable action, but it may delay the necessary urgent intervention. The charge nurse may not have the advanced skills or equipment required to manage a severe airway obstruction. Activating the rapid response system ensures that a team of healthcare professionals with the appropriate expertise and equipment can respond quickly.
Choice D Reason:
Checking the client’s blood pressure and heart rate is a standard nursing assessment, but it is not the immediate priority in this emergency situation. The client’s difficulty breathing and stridor indicate a potential airway obstruction, which requires immediate attention. Ensuring the airway is clear and the client can breathe is more critical than checking vital signs at this moment.
Choice E Reason:
Providing a calm and assuring environment for the client is important for reducing anxiety and stress, but it does not address the immediate life-threatening issue. While maintaining a calm environment is beneficial, the nurse must first ensure that the client’s airway is secure and that they can breathe adequately. This can only be achieved by activating the rapid response system.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Assessing the client’s gag reflex before giving any food or water is crucial after a bronchoscopy. The procedure involves the use of local anesthesia to numb the throat, which can impair the gag reflex and increase the risk of aspiration. Ensuring that the gag reflex has returned before allowing the client to eat or drink helps prevent choking and aspiration, which are serious complications.
Choice B Reason:
Providing the client with ice chips instead of a drink of water is not the best initial action. While ice chips may seem like a safer option, they still pose a risk of aspiration if the gag reflex has not fully returned. The priority is to first assess the gag reflex to ensure the client can safely swallow.
Choice C Reason:
Contacting the primary healthcare provider and getting the appropriate orders is not necessary as the first action. The nurse can independently assess the gag reflex, which is a standard nursing practice after procedures involving throat anesthesia. If there are concerns after the assessment, then contacting the healthcare provider would be appropriate.
Choice D Reason:
Letting the client have a small sip to evaluate the ability to swallow is not safe without first assessing the gag reflex. This approach could lead to aspiration if the gag reflex has not returned. The initial step should always be to assess the gag reflex to ensure the client can safely swallow liquids.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Title: Choice A Reason:
Patients with seafood allergies may have a higher risk of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media used in CT scans. However, this is not a definitive contraindication. The nurse should inform the patient to notify their healthcare provider about any known allergies, including seafood, as a precautionary measure. This allows the healthcare team to take necessary steps to prevent any adverse reactions, such as premedication with antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Title: Choice B Reason:
Metformin is a common medication used to manage type II diabetes. When a patient is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast, it is crucial to withhold Metformin before the procedure. This is because the combination of Metformin and iodinated contrast can increase the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and lactic acidosis, a rare but serious condition. The general recommendation is to stop Metformin at the time of or prior to the procedure and withhold it for 48 hours after the procedure, resuming only after renal function has been re-evaluated and found to be normal.
Title: Choice C Reason:
CT scans, especially those requiring IV contrast, are typically performed in a radiology suite equipped with the necessary technology and medical personnel. Performing such a procedure at the bedside is uncommon and not standard practice due to the need for specialized equipment and immediate access to emergency care in case of adverse reactions. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
Title: Choice D Reason:
Taking Metformin as usual before the test is not recommended due to the risk of lactic acidosis when combined with iodinated contrast. As previously mentioned, Metformin should be withheld before and after the procedure until renal function is confirmed to be normal. This precaution helps to prevent any potential complications associated with the interaction between Metformin and the contrast agent.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today