Marvin is transferred from the ICU to the Tele/Neuro unit 24 hours after receiving tPA. He has left sided hemiplegia with some dysphagia. What nursing interventions should be part of his plan of care? Select all that apply.
Ask the nursing assistant to determine if he can safely sit in a bedside chair.
Passive ROM exercise.
Assess neurologic status.
Coordinate with speech therapy to perform a swallowing evaluation.
Use pillows and positioning devices to maintain proper body alignment.
Pull on his arm to position him on his side.
Correct Answer : B,C,D,E
Choice A reason: Asking the nursing assistant to determine if Marvin can safely sit in a bedside chair is not appropriate. Safety assessments, especially for patients with recent neurological events, should be done by a registered nurse or a physical therapist. This ensures that any nuanced clinical signs indicating instability or risk are recognized and addressed promptly.
Choice B reason: Passive range of motion (ROM) exercises are essential for patients with hemiplegia to prevent complications such as muscle atrophy, joint contractures, and decreased circulation. Regularly performing these exercises can maintain the health of the muscles and joints, promote better blood flow, and help in maintaining some degree of flexibility in the affected limbs.
Choice C reason: Assessing neurologic status is crucial in patients who have had a recent stroke and received tPA treatment. Frequent neurologic assessments help in monitoring for any changes or signs of deterioration. This includes checking consciousness, pupil response, motor function, and sensory perception. Changes in these parameters can indicate complications or the need for immediate medical interventions.
Choice D reason: Coordinating with speech therapy for a swallowing evaluation is essential because Marvin has dysphagia. Swallowing assessments by a speech therapist can determine the patient's ability to swallow safely and the appropriate dietary modifications needed to prevent aspiration, a common risk in patients with dysphagia. This is vital to prevent pneumonia or other respiratory complications.
Choice E reason: Using pillows and positioning devices to maintain proper body alignment is important in preventing complications such as pressure ulcers, muscle contractures, and discomfort. Proper positioning can also assist in maintaining better respiratory function and overall comfort. It also prevents the development of deformities and promotes functional posture, which is especially important for patients with hemiplegia.
Choice F reason: Pulling on his arm to position him on his side is inappropriate and can cause injury, especially in a patient with hemiplegia. This technique can lead to shoulder dislocations or increased pain. Instead, proper repositioning techniques using assistive devices and help from additional staff members should be employed to ensure safe and effective movement of the patient.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Assessing for unilateral swelling, redness, and tenderness is important when evaluating for conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, this patient's symptoms of leg cramps and pain that subsides with rest are more indicative of peripheral artery disease (PAD) rather than DVT. Therefore, while this assessment is valuable in certain contexts, it is not the most relevant for this patient's symptoms.
Choice B reason: Asking about skin color changes that occur in response to cold can help identify conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes extremities to change color in response to cold or stress. However, this patient's symptoms of intermittent leg cramps and pain with walking are more suggestive of PAD, making this question less relevant in this situation.
Choice C reason: Palpating for the presence of dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses is the most appropriate focused assessment. This patient's symptoms of leg cramps and pain that resolve with rest suggest intermittent claudication, which is a hallmark of PAD. By palpating these pulses, the nurse can assess the adequacy of blood flow to the lower extremities, which is crucial in diagnosing PAD.
Choice D reason: Looking for the presence of tortuous veins bilaterally on the legs is important for identifying varicose veins, which are characterized by enlarged, twisted veins. While varicose veins can cause leg discomfort, they are not typically associated with the type of pain that subsides with rest. This patient's symptoms are more indicative of PAD, making this assessment less relevant.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Addison's Disease is characterized by insufficient production of adrenal hormones, leading to symptoms like weight loss, hyperpigmentation, low blood pressure, and severe fatigue. The lab findings would typically show low sodium, high potassium, and low cortisol levels. RM's lab results and symptoms are not consistent with Addison's Disease, making this an unlikely diagnosis.
Choice B reason: Cushing syndrome results from excess cortisol production, often causing weight gain, particularly around the abdomen and face, thinning skin, and hypertension. RM's symptoms of fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, and weight gain without dietary changes do not align with Cushing syndrome, and her lab results do not indicate elevated cortisol levels.
Choice C reason: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by excessive thyroid hormone production, leading to symptoms like weight loss, anxiety, palpitations, and heat intolerance. RM's symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, and cold intolerance, along with her lab results showing low T4 and T3 and elevated TSH, are not consistent with hyperthyroidism.
Choice D reason: Hypothyroidism occurs due to an underactive thyroid gland producing insufficient thyroid hormones. This leads to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, and constipation. RM's lab results showing low T4 and T3 levels and elevated TSH align with the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. The body's response to low thyroid hormone levels is to increase TSH production in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid gland. The clinical presentation and lab findings point towards hypothyroidism as the correct diagnosis.
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