The nurse is caring for a patient whose recent health history includes an altered level of consciousness. What should be the nurse’s initial action when assessing this patient?

Assessing the patient’s ability to follow complex commands

Assessing the patient’s judgment

Assessing the patient’s verbal response

Assessing the patient’s response to pain

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice D rationale
When assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness, the nurse’s initial action should be to assess the patient’s response to pain. This is a fundamental part of the neurological examination and can provide valuable information about the patient’s level of consciousness and neurological function. Pain response can be assessed by applying a painful stimulus, such as a pinch, and observing the patient’s reaction.
Choice A rationale
Assessing the patient’s ability to follow complex commands is an important part of the neurological examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. This assessment requires a higher level of cognitive function and may not be possible in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the patient’s judgment is an important part of the mental status examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. Like the ability to follow complex commands, judgment requires a higher level of cognitive function and may not be assessable in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.

Choice C rationale
Assessing the patient’s verbal response is an important part of the neurological examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. The patient’s ability to speak and the content of their speech can provide important information about their neurological function, but this assessment may not be possible in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.

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 A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
If a patient is suspected of having meningitis, the provider will likely prescribe antibiotic therapy after reviewing the lab results. Meningitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, and antibiotics are the primary treatment. The specific antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Choice B rationale
Antiemetics are medications that help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. They are not typically used as the primary treatment for meningitis.
Choice C rationale

Analgesics are medications that relieve pain. While they may be used to help manage symptoms in a patient with meningitis, they are not used to treat the underlying infection.
Choice D rationale
Antiviral therapy may be used if the meningitis is caused by a viral infection. However, most cases of meningitis are caused by bacteria, and antibiotics are the primary treatment.

Correct Answer is ["4 "]

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to administer 40 mg of furosemide intravenously. The available furosemide is 10 mg/1 mL.

Step 1 is: Calculate the dose in mL using the formula: (Desired dose ÷ Available dose) × Volume.

Step 2 is: Substitute the given values into the formula: (40 mg ÷ 10 mg) × 1 mL = 4 mL. The nurse should administer 4 mL per dose.

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 nurse is caring for a patient whose recent health history includes an altered level of consciousness. What should be the nurse’s initial action when assessing this patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a patient suspected of having meningitis. After reviewing the lab results, which medication does the nurse anticipate the provider will prescribe to treat the meningitis?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer 40 mg of furosemide intravenously. The available furosemide is 10 mg/1 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.

Correct Answer is ["4 "]

Explanation

The nurse is providing discharge education to a patient newly diagnosed with Ménière’s disease. What food should the patient be instructed to limit or avoid?

The nurse is providing patient education to a patient with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their family. The patient has been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride. What should the nurse explain to the patient and family about this drug?

While assessing the breath sounds of a client with Parkinson’s disease, a nurse hears adventitious sounds. How should the client’s nutritional needs be met?

A nurse is admitting a client diagnosed with herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Which medication would the nurse anticipate the healthcare provider to order for treatment?

In the context of outpatient care for a client diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which of the following statements, if made by the client, would indicate the need for further education?

The nurse is caring for a client that has been diagnosed with aphasia. How can the nurse communicate effectively with the client?

The nurse is assessing a patient’s visual acuity using a Snellen chart. The patient states he cannot see the top of the chart. What action should the nurse take?