When triaging emergency room clients, which client should the nurse assess first?
A male adolescent who has been vomiting for the past 12 hours and describes himself as very weak.
A female client with severe right lower abdominal pain who is febrile and vomiting.
An elderly client with peripheral vascular disease who is complaining of severe leg pain when ambulating.
A child who has had a cold for two days and now is coughing up green sputum.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason: This is not the first priority because it is not a life-threatening condition. The male adolescent may have gastroenteritis or food poisoning, which can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The nurse should monitor his vital signs and fluid intake, but he can wait for further assessment.
Choice B Reason: This is the first priority because it is a potential surgical emergency. The female client may have appendicitis, which can cause peritonitis and sepsis if left untreated. The nurse should assess her pain level, vital signs, and abdominal signs, and prepare her for diagnostic tests and possible surgery.
Choice C Reason: This is not the first priority because it is a chronic condition that does not require immediate intervention. The elderly client may have intermittent claudication, which is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease. The nurse should educate him on leg care and exercise, but he can wait for further assessment.
Choice D Reason: This is not the first priority because it is a common condition that can be treated with antibiotics. The child may have a bacterial infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, which can cause productive cough and fever. The nurse should auscultate his lungs and check his temperature, but he can wait for further assessment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason: Asking the client why he does not want to be weighed is not a priority action because it does not address the need to obtain his daily weight. The nurse should first try to find a way to weigh the client without causing him discomfort or distress.
Choice B Reason: This is the correct answer because weighing the client using a bed scale can avoid the need for
transferring him from the bed to a standing scale, which may be difficult or painful for him. The bed scale can provide an accurate measurement of his weight and help monitor his fluid status.
Choice C Reason: Directing the UAP to delay weighing the client until later is not an appropriate action because it may result in missing or inaccurate data. The nurse should ensure that the client is weighed at the same time every day, preferably in the morning, before any fluid intake or output.
Choice D Reason: Documenting that the client refused daily weights is not an adequate action because it does not reflect the nurse's responsibility to provide quality care for the client. The nurse should try to resolve the issue of weighing the client and documenting the outcome and any interventions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This action requires assessment and evaluation skills, which are beyond the scope of practice of the PN. The nurse is responsible for providing client education and ensuring that the client understands the discharge instructions.
Choice B Reason: This action requires teaching and evaluation skills, which are beyond the scope of practice of the PN. The nurse is responsible for educating the clients about their prescribed dietary changes and assessing their learning needs and readiness.
Choice C Reason: This action requires critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are beyond the scope of practice of the PN. The nurse is responsible for establishing the blood pressure parameters for client monitoring and adjusting them as needed.
Choice D Reason: This action can be safely delegated to the PN, as it involves reinforcing previous teaching done by the nurse. The PN can review the diet information with the client and answer any questions they may have.
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