The practical nurse (PN) is assisting in a community center clinic when four clients simultaneously arrive seeking help. In which order should the PN prioritize care to be provided based on the client needs? (Arrange the client with the highest priority first, on top, and lowest priority last, on bottom.)
A 12-year-old child with history of asthma who is wheezing and complaining of shortness of breath.
A 7-year-old child who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and is experiencing extreme hunger and shakiness.
A 10-year-old child with bleeding lacerations on both knees after falling on the playground.
A 5-year-old child who is crying uncontrollably because of an incontinent bowel episode.
The Correct Answer is A,B,C,D
This client has the highest priority, as he or she may be experiencing an acute asthma attack that can compromise the airway and oxygenation. The PN should assess the client's respiratory status, administer bronchodilators, and monitor for improvement or deterioration.
B. A 7-year-old child who has type 1 diabetes mellitus and is experiencing extreme hunger and shakiness.
This client has the second highest priority, as he or she may be experiencing hypoglycemia, which is a low blood glucose level that can cause neurologic symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or coma. The PN should check the client's blood glucose level, provide a source of glucose, and monitor for recovery or complications.
C. A 10-year-old child with bleeding lacerations on both knees after falling on the playground.
This client has the third highest priority, as he or she may have a risk of infection or blood loss from the wounds. The PN should clean and dress the lacerations, apply pressure if needed, and check for signs of infection or inflammation.
D. A 5-year-old child who is crying uncontrollably because of an incontinent bowel episode.
This client has the lowest priority, as he or she does not have a life-threatening or urgent condition, but a psychosocial or emotional issue. The PN should provide comfort and reassurance to the child, change his or her clothes, and explore the possible causes of the incontinence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- An 18-year-old client with a mild mental disability is a client who has a lower than average intellectual functioning and some limitations in adaptive skills, such as communication, socialization, and self-care. A mild mental disability may affect the client's ability to understand, cope, or cooperate with medical interventions, such as ambulation after surgery.
- Ambulation is the act of walking or moving around. It is an important part of postoperative care, as it helps to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, atelectasis, constipation, and pressure ulcers. Ambulation also promotes circulation, wound healing, and muscle strength.
- When the practical nurse (PN) attempts to assist the client to ambulate on the first postoperative day after an appendectomy, the client becomes angry and says, "PN, 'Get out of here! I'll get up when I'm ready!" This may indicate that the client is experiencing pain, fear, anxiety, or frustration due to the surgery and the recovery process.
- The best response for the PN to make is to acknowledge the client's feelings, provide reassurance and support, and set a clear and realistic goal for ambulation. This will help to establish rapport, reduce resistance, and motivate the client to participate in the care plan.
- Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it shows empathy and respect for the client's feelings, while also informing the client of the expectation and time frame for ambulation. Option D also allows the client some time to prepare mentally and physically for the activity.
Options A, B, and C are incorrect answers, as they do not address the client's emotional needs or demonstrate effective communication skills.
Option A is incorrect because it uses a threatening tone and does not acknowledge the client's feelings.
Option B is incorrect because it assumes that the client feels angry about the pain of ambulation, which may not be true or helpful.
Option C is incorrect because it appeals to authority and does not explain the rationale or benefits of ambulation.

Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Log-rolling is a technique of moving a client as a unit without twisting or bending the spine, which is used for clients with spinal injuries or surgeries. After log-rolling a client to a lateral position, the PN should place pillows to maintain alignment and prevent pressure ulcers or nerve damage. The pillows should be placed under the head, neck, upper arm, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and lower leg.

The other options are not correct because:
A. Raising the head of the bed 30 degrees is not necessary or appropriate after log-rolling a client to a lateral position, as it can cause shearing forces or compromise the spinal stability. The head of the bed should be kept flat or slightly elevated during log rolling.
B. Measuring blood pressure and pulse rate is not the immediate intervention after log-rolling a client to a lateral position, as it does not ensure the comfort or safety of the client. The PN should monitor the vital signs before and after log-rolling, but not during or immediately after.
C. Flexing legs and placing a blanket between legs is not the immediate intervention after log-rolling a client to a lateral position, as it does not support the spine or prevent pressure ulcers or nerve damage. The PN should keep the legs straight and aligned with the body during log-rolling, and place a pillow under the lower leg after log-rolling.
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