An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client's right hand and fingers spasm when taking the blood pressure using the same arm.
After confirming the presence of the spasms, which action should the nurse take?
Review the client's serum calcium level.
Administer an as-needed (PRN) antianxiety medication.
Ask the UAP to take the blood pressure in the other arm.
Tell the UAP to use a different sphygmomanometer.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale: The spasm described is Trousseau's sign, a classic indicator of hypocalcemia. Inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure causes carpal spasm due to increased neuromuscular irritability, requiring immediate assessment of serum calcium levels.
Choice B rationale: Carpal spasms during blood pressure measurement are a physiological manifestation of electrolyte imbalance, not psychological distress. Administering antianxiety medication would delay necessary treatment for a potentially life-threatening calcium deficiency.
Choice C rationale: Moving the cuff to the other arm would likely produce the same result because hypocalcemia is a systemic condition. This action ignores the underlying physiological cause and fails to address the client's safety.
Choice D rationale: The spasms are a physical reaction from the client, not a malfunction of the equipment. Replacing the sphygmomanometer would be an ineffective intervention that misses the clinical significance of the sign.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Discuss the character of labor from endogenous vs. exogenous oxytocin. While it is important to educate the client about the difference between endogenous (naturally occurring) and exogenous (administered) oxytocin, this information may not address the client's primary concern. The client is refusing the prescribed oxytocin infusion and wants a "natural" delivery. Therefore, discussing alternative ways to support her birth plan is more pertinent.
Choice B rationale:
Ask the healthcare provider to discuss the issue with the client. Involving the healthcare provider in the discussion is a reasonable step, but it should not be the first action taken. The nurse can initiate a conversation with the client to explore her concerns and preferences before escalating the issue to the healthcare provider.
Choice C rationale:
Discuss alternative ways to support the client's birth plan. This is the correct choice because it directly addresses the client's refusal of the oxytocin infusion and desire for a "natural" delivery. Exploring alternative methods for inducing or facilitating labor in a way that aligns with the client's birth plan is essential.
Choice D rationale:
Explain the indications for induction related to post-term pregnancy. Explaining the indications for induction is important for educating the client about the medical reasons behind the prescribed treatment. However, this information may not immediately address the client's refusal of the oxytocin infusion. The nurse should first explore the client's concerns and preferences regarding her birth plan.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Observing body language and movement is a valuable method for assessing pain, but it may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the client's pain experience. Clients may have different ways of expressing pain, and verbal communication should also be considered.
Choice B rationale:
Identifying effective pain relief measures is relevant but does not assess the quality of the pain itself. It focuses on pain management rather than pain assessment.
Choice C rationale:
Providing a numeric pain scale is a useful tool for quantifying pain intensity, but it does not assess the quality of pain, which is essential for understanding the nature of migraine headaches.
Choice D rationale:
Asking the client to describe the pain is the most appropriate approach for assessing the quality of pain. It allows the client to express the characteristics of the pain, such as its location, intensity, duration, and any associated symptoms, which can aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.
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