An elderly patient has been admitted with a suspected stroke.
The patient has facial paralysis and is unable to move the left side of their body.
Upon entering the room, the nurse observes the patient’s spouse attempting to give the patient a drink of water, but struggling.
What should the nurse’s next course of action be?
Assist the spouse and carefully give the patient small sips of water.
Obtain thickening powder before providing any more fluids.
Ask the spouse to stop and assess the patient’s swallowing reflex.
Give the spouse a straw to help facilitate the patient’s drinking.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Assisting the spouse and carefully giving the patient small sips of water may seem like a compassionate action. However, it could potentially lead to aspiration if the patient’s swallowing reflex is compromised, which is common in stroke patients.
Choice B rationale
While obtaining thickening powder before providing any more fluids can help prevent aspiration in patients with dysphagia, it is not the immediate action the nurse should take. The nurse first needs to assess the patient’s swallowing reflex before deciding on the appropriate intervention.
Choice C rationale
The nurse should ask the spouse to stop and assess the patient’s swallowing reflex. This is the most immediate and appropriate action. Stroke patients often have impaired swallowing reflexes, which can lead to aspiration if not properly managed. By assessing the swallowing reflex, the nurse can determine the best course of action to ensure the patient’s safety.
Choice D rationale
Giving the spouse a straw to help facilitate the patient’s drinking is not the best course of action. Straws can increase the risk of aspiration in patients with impaired swallowing reflexes. The nurse should first assess the patient’s swallowing reflex before deciding on the appropriate intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"A"}}
Explanation
The findings suggest that the client’s condition has improved.
Choice A rationale
A total blood loss of 800 mL is a significant amount, but it is within the normal range for blood loss during and after childbirth. Therefore, this does not necessarily put the client at risk for hypovolemia.
Choice B rationale
A fundus that is firm and at the level of the umbilicus indicates that the uterus is contracting properly after childbirth, which helps to prevent excessive bleeding.
Choice C rationale
The expulsion of multiple large clots could indicate that the body is effectively clotting blood, which can prevent excessive bleeding.
Choice D rationale
A blood pressure of 110/80 mm Hg, a heart rate of 66 beats/minute, and an oxygen saturation of 98% on room air are all within normal ranges, indicating that the client is stable and not at risk for hypovolemia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Keeping the head of the bed raised 45 degrees is a common practice in intensive care units to prevent aspiration pneumonia. However, in the context of septic shock, this intervention is not the highest priority.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the warmth of the extremities can provide information about peripheral perfusion. Cold extremities may indicate poor perfusion, a common symptom in septic shock. However, this is not the most critical intervention in the management of septic shock.
Choice C rationale
Maintaining strict intake and output records is crucial in the management of septic shock. Fluid balance is a key component of sepsis management. Monitoring fluid balance helps ensure that the patient is adequately hydrated, which is essential for maintaining blood pressure and organ perfusion.
Choice D rationale
Monitoring the patient’s blood glucose level is important, especially if the patient is receiving insulin or has a history of diabetes. However, in the context of septic shock, this is not the highest priority.
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