The nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department who is experiencing facial droop and slurred speech orally. The physician ordered aspirin to be given orally. What should the nurse do?
Instruct the patient to swallow the medication with the head tilted backwards
Place the medication in the backwards in the back of the mouth on the affected side
Evaluate the patient’s ability to swallow
Provide the patient with thickened liquids
The Correct Answer is C
A) Instruct the patient to swallow the medication with the head tilted backwards:
Tilting the head backward while swallowing may worsen the patient's ability to swallow, especially if they are experiencing facial droop and slurred speech. This position could increase the risk of aspiration or choking. A safer approach involves evaluating the patient’s swallowing ability before giving any oral medications.
B) Place the medication in the back of the mouth on the affected side:
While placing the medication on the unaffected side might seem like an alternative to help with swallowing, it is still important to assess the patient's swallowing ability first. If the patient has difficulty swallowing due to neurological deficits, placing the medication on the affected side could increase the risk of aspiration, leading to complications such as pneumonia.
C) Evaluate the patient’s ability to swallow:
Evaluating the patient's ability to swallow is the most important initial action. Facial droop and slurred speech can indicate potential dysphagia or difficulty swallowing, which could lead to aspiration if medications are given orally without further assessment. The nurse must determine if the patient can swallow safely before administering any oral medications, including aspirin, to prevent complications.
D) Provide the patient with thickened liquids:
Thickened liquids may be helpful for patients with known dysphagia, but this approach is not suitable in this case because the first priority is assessing the patient's swallowing ability. Giving thickened liquids without evaluating swallowing could increase the risk of aspiration if the patient is unable to manage liquids safely. An evaluation should precede any interventions like thickening liquids.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["7"]
Explanation
Given:
Desired dose: Amoxicillin 350 mg PO
Available concentration: Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 ml
To find:
Volume to administer (in ml)
Step 1: Set up the proportion
We can use the following proportion to solve the problem:
(Desired dose) / (Available concentration) = Volume to administer
Step 2: Substitute the values
Plugging in the given values, we get:
(350 mg) / (250 mg/5 ml) = Volume to administer
Step 3: Simplify
To simplify, we can invert the denominator and multiply:
(350 mg) x (5 ml / 250 mg) = Volume to administer
The "mg" units cancel out, leaving us with:
(350 x 5 ml) / 250 = Volume to administer
Step 4: Calculate
Performing the multiplication and division, we get:
1750 ml / 250 = Volume to administer
1 ml = Volume to administer
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias:
While cardiac dysrhythmias can occur after a stroke, especially in the acute phase due to changes in autonomic regulation and increased sympathetic tone, they are not a direct compensatory response to increase cerebral blood flow. Dysrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, can occur as a result of stroke but are not a physiological response to attempts by the body to increase cerebral perfusion.
B. Hypertension:
Hypertension is a common cardiovascular response in the acute phase of a stroke. The body increases blood pressure to enhance cerebral perfusion and ensure that oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the brain, especially if there is impaired blood flow due to a clot or hemorrhage. This compensatory mechanism helps maintain adequate cerebral blood flow to areas at risk of ischemia. Therefore, hypertension is the most likely cardiovascular sign that the nurse would observe in response to a stroke, and it is a key sign that needs to be closely monitored and managed.
C. 53 and 54 heart sounds:
The presence of 53 and 54 heart sounds, also known as extra heart sounds, such as S3 and S4, may indicate heart failure, volume overload, or diastolic dysfunction. While these sounds can be associated with certain cardiovascular conditions, they are not a typical sign observed in the acute phase of a stroke as the body attempts to increase cerebral blood flow. These heart sounds are more related to heart conditions rather than stroke-induced changes in cerebral perfusion.
D. Fluid overload:
Fluid overload, although a potential complication in stroke patients (especially if they are given excessive IV fluids or have renal issues), is not a primary compensatory mechanism for increasing cerebral blood flow. Fluid overload could exacerbate other conditions, like increased intracranial pressure or pulmonary edema, but it does not directly serve the purpose of improving cerebral perfusion during a stroke. Hypertension, on the other hand, is a direct response to try to maintain cerebral blood flow.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
