The nurse is caring for a client admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who reports a pounding headache. Which action should the nurse take?
Elevate head of bed no higher than 30 degrees.
Affirm blood glucose is below 160 mg/dL (8.88 mmol/L)
Check for a stat intravenous diuretic prescription.
Obtain a manual blood pressure measurement.
The Correct Answer is D
A pounding headache in a client with COPD may be a symptom of increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood, known as hypercapnia. Hypercapnia can lead to vasodilation, resulting in headaches. In this situation, it is crucial to assess the client's blood pressure to determine if it is elevated, as this could be contributing to the headache.
Obtaining a manual blood pressure measurement allows for a more accurate assessment of the client's blood pressure compared to automated measurements. It is important to assess both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as elevated blood pressure can worsen headaches and have other negative effects on the client's health.
Elevating the head of the bed no higher than 30 degrees is a general measure used to improve respiratory function in clients with COPD. However, in this specific situation, it may not directly address the pounding headache. Elevating the head of the bed can help reduce dyspnea and improve oxygenation, but it may not alleviate the headache caused by hypercapnia.
Affirming blood glucose levels are below 160 mg/dL (8.88 mmol/L) is not the primary concern in this case. While high blood glucose levels can have various effects on the body, including headaches, the priority is to assess the client's blood pressure due to the specific context of a COPD exacerbation.
Checking for a stat intravenous diuretic prescription is not necessary in response to the client's headache. Diuretics are typically used to remove excess fluid from the body and may not directly address the underlying cause of the headache in this situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect- While physical soothing can help comfort the child after the injections, it may not significantly reduce the duration of pain during the injections themselves.
B) Incorrect- Verbal reassurance is important to provide a calming environment, but it may not directly reduce the duration of pain during the injections.
C) Correct- Administering vaccines can be distressing for toddlers due to the pain associated with injections. To reduce the duration of pain and minimize the overall discomfort, the nurse should prioritize the strategy of simultaneous injections. This involves administering multiple vaccines at the same time rather than spacing them out. The rationale behind this approach is that the child experiences the discomfort of the injections only once, which can help reduce their overall distress and anxiety.
D) Incorrect- The positioning of the child may not have a direct impact on the duration of pain during injections. However, choosing an appropriate position for comfort is still important.
Correct Answer is ["0.3"]
Explanation
To calculate the mL of dalteparin to administer, we need to determine the total number
of units required for the client and then convert it to the volume based on the concentration provided.
First, we need to calculate the total number of units required: Weight of the client: 110 pounds
Dalteparin dosage: 150 units/kg Duration of treatment: 4 months
To convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms, we divide it by 2.2: 110 pounds / 2.2 = 50 kilograms
Next, we calculate the total number of units required:
150 units/kg * 50 kilograms = 7,500 units
Now we can calculate the volume to administer:
7,500 units / 7,500 units/0.3 mL = 0.3 mL
Therefore, the nurse should administer 0.3 mL of dalteparin.
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