The nurse is caring for a client who arrives to the emergency department with reports of experiencing dizziness and difficulty walking to the bathroom.
The nurse observes right-sided weakness and sluggish enunciation of speech. The nurse should immediately take which action?
Keep the bed in the lowest position and initiate seizure and fall precautions.
Place an indwelling urinary catheter and measure strict intake and output.
Maintain elevated positioning of the dependent joints on affected side.
Start two large bore IV catheters and review inclusion criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Keeping the bed in the lowest position and initiating seizure and fall precautions is not an immediate action for the nurse to take. Seizure and fall precautions are measures that prevent injury or harm to the client in case of a seizure or a fall. Seizure and fall precautions include lowering the bed, padding the side rails, removing any objects that may cause injury, and having suction and oxygen equipment ready. However, these precautions are not specific to the client's condition and do not address the underlying cause.
Choice B reason: Placing an indwelling urinary catheter and measuring strict intake and output is not an urgent action for the nurse to take. An indwelling urinary catheter is a tube that drains urine from the bladder into a collection bag. Measuring intake and output is a way of monitoring fluid balance and kidney function. However, these interventions are not essential for the client's condition and may increase the risk of infection or trauma.
Choice C reason: Maintaining elevated positioning of the dependent joints on affected side is not a relevant action for the nurse to take. Dependent joints are joints that are below the level of the heart, such as the ankles or wrists. Elevating dependent joints can help reduce swelling or pain by improving blood flow and drainage. However, this intervention is not related to the client's condition and does not improve neurological function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: Obtain a capillary glucose level. This is the first action that the nurse should do, as it can diagnose hypoglycemia, which is a low blood sugar level that can cause jitteriness and tachypnea in newborns. Hypoglycemia can be caused by maternal diabetes, prematurity, infection, or delayed feeding. The nurse should check the glucose level using a heel stick and a glucometer.
Choice B: Feed 30 mL of 10% dextrose in water. This is not the first action that the nurse should do, as it may not be appropriate for all newborns with jitteriness and tachypnea. Feeding 10% dextrose in water can raise the blood sugar level, but it may also cause rebound hypoglycemia or fluid overload. The nurse should feed only after confirming hypoglycemia and obtaining a healthcare provider's order.
Choice C: Wrap tightly in a blanket. This is not the first action that the nurse should do, as it may not address the underlying cause of jitteriness and tachypnea in newborns. Wrapping tightly in a blanket can prevent heat loss and conserve energy, but it may also impair breathing or circulation. The nurse should wrap only after ruling out other causes of jitteriness and tachypnea.
Choice D: Encourage the mother to breastfeed. This is not the first action that the nurse should do, as it may not be feasible or effective for all newborns with jitteriness and tachypnea. Breastfeeding can provide nutrition and bonding for newborns, but it may also be difficult or contraindicated for some newborns with respiratory distress or infection. The nurse should encourage breastfeeding only after assessing and stabilizing the newborn's condition.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Increasing oxygen to 6 liters/minute is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can worsen bronchospasm and hypoxia by reducing the hypoxic drive and causing carbon dioxide retention. This is a contraindicated choice.
Choice B: Calling for an Ambu resuscitation bag is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this is not indicated for a client who is conscious and breathing spontaneously. This is an overreaction choice.
Choice C: Instructing the client to lie back in bed is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can increase respiratory distress and compromise airway clearance by reducing lung expansion and increasing abdominal pressure. This is another contraindicated choice.
Choice D: Administering a nebulizer treatment is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can deliver bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents directly to the airways and improve ventilation and oxygenation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
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