A 57-year-old client reports, "I am having the worst headache I have ever experienced." Which action/Priority should the nurse perform next?
Inquire about family history of headaches.
Review the client's medical record.
Assess the client's blood pressure.
Provide medication for pain relief.
The Correct Answer is C
(a) Inquire about family history of headaches:
While understanding the client's family history of headaches can be important for a comprehensive assessment, it is not the immediate priority. The description of "the worst headache" ever experienced could indicate a serious condition that needs urgent attention.
(b) Review the client's medical record:
Reviewing the client's medical record provides valuable information about their history and potential underlying conditions. However, given the severity of the reported headache, it is crucial to perform a more immediate physical assessment to rule out life-threatening conditions.
(c) Assess the client's blood pressure:
Assessing the client's blood pressure is a critical initial action. A severe headache can be a symptom of hypertensive crisis, stroke, or other serious conditions. High blood pressure could provide an immediate clue to the severity and cause of the headache, allowing for quicker intervention.
(d) Provide medication for pain relief:
Providing pain relief is important, but it should not be the first action without determining the cause of the headache. Administering medication without assessing the client's condition could mask symptoms of a potentially serious underlying issue such as a stroke or hypertensive emergency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
(a) Liver Disease:
Pitting edema is commonly seen in liver disease, especially in conditions like cirrhosis. Liver disease can lead to hypoalbuminemia, where low levels of albumin in the blood cause fluid to leak into the interstitial spaces, resulting in edema. Additionally, liver disease often leads to portal hypertension, which can also contribute to the development of edema.
(b) Diabetes mellitus:
While diabetes can cause complications such as diabetic nephropathy, which may lead to fluid retention, pitting edema is not a primary symptom directly associated with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients may develop edema due to kidney issues, but it is not as directly associated as with liver disease.
(c) End Stage Renal Disease:
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) can indeed cause significant fluid retention and edema, including pitting edema. The kidneys' inability to excrete excess fluid leads to its accumulation in tissues. However, the question seems to point towards liver disease, which directly leads to conditions causing pitting edema.
(d) Colon Cancer:
Colon cancer is not typically associated with pitting edema. While advanced cancer can lead to various complications, including fluid imbalances, it is not a primary cause of pitting edema. Edema related to cancer is often more localized and associated with tumor sites or treatment areas.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Accessibility:
Accessibility refers to the client's ability to obtain food, which is crucial for nutritional status, especially for someone who lives alone and cannot drive. Difficulty in accessing grocery stores or markets can limit the variety and availability of nutritious food options, potentially leading to poor nutritional intake.
B) Food preparation:
Food preparation skills are important, but if the client has difficulty accessing food in the first place (due to transportation limitations), their ability to prepare meals becomes secondary. Accessibility to food sources is a more immediate concern for nutritional status.
C) Food preferences:
While food preferences can influence dietary choices, the ability to access food is a more fundamental issue that directly impacts nutritional intake, especially for someone who lives alone and has limited mobility.
D) Finances:
Financial constraints can certainly affect food choices and access to nutritious options. However, in this scenario, the primary concern is the physical accessibility to food sources, which directly impacts the client's ability to maintain adequate nutrition.
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