The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a child who was admited after experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. When witnessing the child begin the seizure, what should the PN implement immediately? (Select all that apply)
Observe the progression of the seizure
Hold the extremities close to the body
Insert a tongue blade between the teeth
Pad the side rails with pillows
Loosen clothing around the neck
Correct Answer : A,D,E
The correct answers are:
a) Observe the progression of the seizure.
- Pad the side rails with pillows.
- Loosen clothing around the neck.
Explanation: During a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, it is important for the practical nurse (PN) to prioritize the safety and well-being of the child. The correct actions to implement immediately are:
a) Observe the progression of the seizure: The PN should closely observe the seizure to gather important information that can be helpful for medical professionals in assessing the seizure's characteristics and duration.
- Pad the side rails with pillows: Padding the side rails of the bed with pillows helps to prevent the child
from injuring themselves by hitting the side rails during the seizure.
- Loosen clothing around the neck: Loosening any tight clothing around the child's neck helps to ensure adequate breathing and prevent any constriction or discomfort during the seizure.
- Hold the extremities close to the body: This action is not recommended during a seizure as it may increase the risk of injury to the child or the PN.
- Insert a tongue blade between the teeth: It is not recommended to insert any object, including a tongue blade, between the teeth of a person experiencing a seizure. This can cause injury to the person's mouth or teeth and is no longer considered an appropriate intervention for seizures.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
No explanation
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Increasing the supplemental oxygen to 15 L/min via nasal cannula may seem like a logical step given the client’s low oxygen saturation. However, it’s important to note that oxygen therapy should be titrated carefully. Too much oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity, which can cause cellular damage and worsen the client’s condition. Therefore, this is not the priority action.
Choice B rationale:
Notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the priority action. The client’s oxygen saturation is 88% on room air, which is below the normal range of 95% to 100%. This indicates that the client is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to hypoxia and other serious complications. The health care provider needs to be informed immediately so that appropriate interventions can be initiated.
Choice C rationale:
Administering ibuprofen as ordered for fever is important, but it’s not the priority in this situation. While fever can indicate an infection, which could be contributing to the client’s low oxygen saturation, addressing the immediate issue of hypoxia is more critical.
Choice D rationale:
Obtaining a sputum culture from the client could provide valuable information about the type of bacteria causing the pneumonia and guide antibiotic therapy. However, this is not an immediate priority compared to addressing the client’s low oxygen saturation. In summary, while all these actions are important in caring for a client with pneumonia, the nurse must prioritize interventions based on their urgency and potential impact on the client’s health status. In this case, notifying the health care provider of the client’s condition is the most critical action.
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