Following morning care, a client with a C-5 spinal cord injury who is sitting in a wheelchair becomes flushed and complains of a headache. Which intervention should the nurse implementfirst?
Administer a prescribed PRN dose of hydralazine.
Assess the client's blood pressures every 15 minutes.
Teach the client to recognize the symptoms of dysreflexia.
Relieve any kinks or obstruction in the client's Foley tubing.
The Correct Answer is D
A) This can be done if initial non-pharmacological interventions do not relieve symptoms, but it is not the first step.
B) Monitoring blood pressure is important, but it is secondary to removing the stimulus causing the dysreflexia.
C) Incorrect- While education is important for long-term management, the client is currently experiencing symptoms that need immediate attention. The priority is to assess and address the current symptoms.
D) The client is likely experiencing autonomic dysreflexia, characterized by a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure, flushing, headache, and other symptoms triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of injury. The first step in managing autonomic dysreflexia is to identify and eliminate the triggering stimulus. For clients with a Foley catheter, a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia is bladder distention due to a kinked or obstructed catheter. Relieving any kinks or obstructions in the Foley tubing can immediately alleviate the symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A functional assessment is an evaluation of an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), which includes tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and mobility. Falls are a common and significant issue among older adults and are a leading cause of injury and hospitalization. Therefore, it is important to assess the client's risk of falling and inquire about any recent falls to develop an appropriate plan of care to prevent falls.
Encouraging the client to lie as still as possible during the assessment is not appropriate as it may not provide an accurate evaluation of the client's ability to perform ADLs.
Additionally, it is important to assess the client's functional status in a way that is safe and comfortable for them.
Assisting the client with values clarification about end-of-life care options is not appropriate during a functional assessment as it is not directly related to the client's ability to perform ADLs.
Asking the client how often episodes of sundowning are experienced is not appropriate during a functional assessment as sundowning is a symptom of dementia and is not directly related to the client's ability to perform ADLs.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
Explanation
A) Incorrect - Red blood cell count (RBC) is not directly relevant to the assessment of infection and its spread.
B) Correct- Core body temperature can be an indicator of systemic infection and needs to be reported to the healthcare provider for assessment and intervention.
C) Correct- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin suggest local and regional lymphatic involvement, indicating possible spread of infection. This finding needs further assessment and intervention.
D) Incorrect - The location of the initial intravenous (IV) site is not directly relevant to the assessment of infection and its spread.
E) Correct- An elevated white blood cell count (WBC) can indicate an inflammatory response to infection. This finding should be reported to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.
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