A 70-year-old female patient with left-sided hemiparesis arrives by ambulance to the emergency department. Which action should the nurse take first?

Send the patient for a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Check the respiratory rate and effort.

Assess the Glasgow Coma Scale score.

Take the patient's blood pressure.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Send the patient for a computed tomography (CT) scan: While obtaining a CT scan is important for diagnosing potential causes of the patient's left-sided hemiparesis, assessing the patient's respiratory status takes precedence to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

B. Check the respiratory rate and effort: Assessing the patient's respiratory rate and effort is the first priority to identify any signs of respiratory distress or compromise. Adequate oxygenation and ventilation are essential for maintaining vital organ function.

C. Assess the Glasgow Coma Scale score: While assessing the Glasgow Coma Scale score is important for evaluating the patient's level of consciousness and neurological status, it is not the first action to take in a patient with potential respiratory compromise.

D. Take the patient's blood pressure: While obtaining the patient's blood pressure is important for assessing hemodynamic stability, it is not the first priority when the patient presents with left-sided hemiparesis and may be at risk for respiratory compromise.

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Correct Answer is []

Explanation

The client is most likely experiencing meningitis based on the following clinical manifestations:

Symptoms: The client presents with a 2-day history of lethargy, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, headache, general muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, sensitivity to light, and intermittent nystagmus. These symptoms are consistent with the classic signs of meningitis, including headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and altered mental status.
Physical Examination Findings: The physical examination reveals a fever (temperature of 38.9°C or 102°F), elevated heart rate (118/min), and signs of meningeal irritation such as neck stiffness (not directly mentioned but implied by headache and sensitivity to light). Additionally, a pinpoint, red, macular rash on the upper chest may indicate petechiae, which can be seen in meningococcal meningitis.

Given the suspicion of meningitis, the nurse should take the following actions:

Implement seizure precautions: Meningitis can lead to increased intracranial pressure and neurological complications, including seizures. Implementing seizure precautions involves ensuring the client's safety by padding the side rails of the bed, keeping the bed in a low position, and providing close observation.
Dim the lights in the client’s room: The client reports sensitivity to light, which is a common symptom of meningitis due to meningeal irritation. Dimming the lights can help reduce discomfort and photophobia in the client.

Parameters to Monitor:

Neurologic status: Monitoring the client's neurologic status is crucial for assessing the progression of meningitis and detecting any neurological deterioration, such as changes in level of consciousness, motor deficits, or signs of increased intracranial pressure.
Temperature: Monitoring the client's temperature is essential to assess for fever spikes or trends, which can indicate the severity of the infection and response to treatment.

Persistent or worsening fever may suggest inadequate treatment or complications such as abscess formation.

A. "Engage in a vigorous exercise program." B. "Plan to relax in a hot tub spa each day." C. "Implement a schedule to include periods of rest." D. "Wear an eye patch on the right eye at all times."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "Engage in a vigorous exercise program." This statement may not be suitable for a client with multiple sclerosis experiencing symptoms such as diplopia, dysmetria, and sensory changes. While exercise is beneficial for managing MS symptoms, it should be tailored to the individual's abilities and symptoms.

B. "Plan to relax in a hot tub spa each day." Hot tubs can exacerbate symptoms of multiple sclerosis, particularly heat sensitivity. Therefore, this statement is not appropriate for this client.

C. "Implement a schedule to include periods of rest." Fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, and incorporating regular periods of rest into the daily schedule can help manage fatigue and conserve energy.

D. "Wear an eye patch on the right eye at all times." While wearing an eye patch may help alleviate diplopia (double vision), it is not typically recommended for continuous use and should be used under the guidance of an ophthalmologist or healthcare provider.

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A 70-year-old female patient with left-sided hemiparesis arrives by ambulance to the emergency department. Which action should the nurse take first?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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