Five months following treatment for herpes zoster, an older adult client tells the home health nurse of continuing to experience pain where the rash occurred. Which action should the nurse implement?
Teach the client about phantom pain symptoms.
Perform a complete mental status exam.
Determine if the client has had a shingles vaccination.
Complete an assessment of the client's pain.
The Correct Answer is D
D. Persistent pain following the resolution of herpes zoster, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), is a common complication, especially in older adults. PHN can cause significant discomfort and affect the client's quality of life. Therefore, it is essential for the nurse to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the client's pain to better understand its characteristics, severity, duration, aggravating or alleviating factors, and impact on daily activities.
A. Patient education should follow a complete assessment of the pain to ascertain the diagnosis.
B. Performing a complete mental status exam is not indicated solely based on the client's report of persistent pain from herpes zoster.
C. Determining if the client has had a shingles vaccination is important for preventive healthcare, but it is not the priority action in addressing the client's current pain concern related to PHN. The focus should be on assessing and managing the client's pain to improve their comfort and well-being.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys. Elevated serum creatinine levels may indicate impaired kidney function. Since contrast agents can affect renal function, a serum creatinine level above the reference range should be reported to the healthcare provider before the MRI with contrast.
A. While elevated blood sugar levels may indicate diabetes or poor glycemic control, they are not directly related to kidney function or the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. Therefore, this value is not the most pertinent for reporting before an MRI with contrast.
C.Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months and is used to assess long-term glycemic control in diabetes. While elevated HbA1c levels suggest poor diabetes management, they do not directly assess kidney function or the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy.
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels reflect the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood and can indicate kidney function. Elevated BUN levels may suggest impaired renal function. However, an elevated serum creatinine is a more reliable marker for renal excretion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Releasing traction to use a bedpan may cause pain and discomfort to the client and risk exacerbating the fracture or compromising the alignment needed for surgery.
B. Log rolling the client and placing adult disposable briefs beneath them may not be suitable because it involves movement that can disrupt traction and worsen the client's pain.
Additionally, disposable briefs may not adequately manage urinary output, especially for a client awaiting surgery.
C.While using a catheter can be an option, it is generally not the first intervention unless the client is unable to void by other means or has a specific indication for catheterization. It carries risks, including infection, and should be considered carefully.
D. The nurse can assist the client in using a urinal while ensuring that traction is maintained. This allows the client to urinate without disrupting the traction setup, minimizing the risk of complications associated with the fracture.
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