The health care provider prescribes IV vancomycin for a patient with pneumonia. Which priority action should the nurse perform before the first dose of the antibiotic?

Check the patient's temperature

Obtain sputum cultures

Check the patient's blood pressure

Draw a blood specimen to evaluate the white blood cell count

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Checking the patient's temperature is important for assessing the severity of the pneumonia and monitoring for fever, but it is not the priority action before administering the first dose of vancomycin.

Choice B reason: Obtaining sputum cultures is the priority action because it allows for the identification of the causative organism and determination of its antibiotic susceptibility. This helps ensure that the prescribed antibiotic is appropriate for the patient's infection. Cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotic therapy to avoid interference with culture results.

Choice C reason: Checking the patient's blood pressure is important for overall patient assessment and monitoring, especially considering potential side effects of vancomycin. However, it is not the primary action needed before the first dose of the antibiotic.

Choice D reason: Drawing a blood specimen to evaluate the white blood cell count is useful for assessing the severity of the infection and the patient's immune response. However, this can be done after obtaining the sputum cultures and is not the immediate priority before administering the antibiotic.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness loss of skin with exposed dermis. The wound bed is viable, pink or red, and moist, and may also present as an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister. Since the wound involves subcutaneous tissue, it exceeds the criteria for Stage 2.

Choice B reason: Stage 1 pressure injuries are characterized by non-blanchable erythema of intact skin. While the skin is still intact, it may appear red and not lighten when pressed. Given the description of a wound involving subcutaneous tissue, Stage 1 is not appropriate.

Choice C reason: Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness loss of skin, where adipose (fat) is visible in the ulcer and granulation tissue and epibole (rolled wound edges) are often present. Slough and/or eschar may be visible, but the depth of tissue damage varies by anatomical location. This aligns with the wound involving subcutaneous tissue.

Choice D reason: Stage 4 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed or directly palpable fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone. While the wound described involves subcutaneous tissue, there is no mention of deeper tissue involvement, excluding Stage 4 classification.

A. Make decisions about health and lifestyle modifications to manage MS B. Cure the disease C. Maintain or improve muscle strength and mobility D. Maintain urinary continence E. Maintain independence in performing ADLs

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: The nurse would include making decisions about health and lifestyle modifications to manage MS because this helps the patient to make informed choices that can alleviate symptoms and improve their quality of life. Modifying aspects such as diet, exercise, and stress management can play a significant role in managing the disease and preventing relapses.

Choice B reason: Curing the disease is not currently a feasible outcome for multiple sclerosis, as there is no known cure. The focus of the care plan is typically on managing symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease, and improving the patient's quality of life rather than curing the disease.

Choice C reason: Maintaining or improving muscle strength and mobility is crucial for patients with MS, as the disease often affects muscle control and strength. Including this outcome in the care plan helps to reduce the risk of falls, improve the patient's ability to perform daily tasks, and enhance overall physical function.

Choice D reason: Maintaining urinary continence is an important aspect of care for MS patients, as the disease can affect bladder control. Including this outcome helps to ensure the patient's comfort and dignity, prevent urinary tract infections, and improve their quality of life.

Choice E reason: Maintaining independence in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) is essential for patients with MS to ensure they can continue to perform tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating. This outcome supports the patient's self-esteem and promotes a sense of autonomy.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The health care provider prescribes IV vancomycin for a patient with pneumonia. Which priority action should the nurse perform before the first dose of the antibiotic?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient from a long-term care facility is admitted to the hospital with a sacral pressure injury. The base of the wound involves subcutaneous tissue. How should the nurse classify this pressure injury?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which outcome would the nurse include in the care plan for a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

When a patient with asthma who is on a budesonide hand-held inhaler reports difficulty, what should the nurse do?

When suctioning a patient, the development of which three clinical manifestations indicates that the nurse would discontinue suctioning immediately?

Which patient statement indicates to the nurse that additional instruction is needed for a patient with chronic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?

A priority nursing intervention to assist a preoperative patient in coping with fear of postoperative pain would be to:

Which disorder would the nurse recognize as the likely cause of right heart failure (cor pulmonale)?

Physical signs of unrelieved pain include which of the following? Select all that apply.

The arterial blood gas (ABG) report of a patient with a spinal cord injury indicates hypoxia. Select two interventions the nurse would perform to improve the patient's respiratory status.