A client arrives at the clinic describing concerns to the nurse about mood swings, insomnia, and a lack of focus. Which information should the nurse obtain first?
Aggravating factors.
Methods to cope with stress.
Recent life changes.
Onset of symptoms.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Aggravating factors (e.g., caffeine) are relevant but secondary to establishing when mood swings, insomnia, and lack of focus began. Onset determines if symptoms are acute or chronic, guiding whether neurological or hormonal imbalances (e.g., serotonin dysregulation) are involved. This temporal data prioritizes differential diagnosis, making this a later step.
Choice B reason: Coping methods provide insight into stress management but are less urgent than symptom onset. Mood swings and insomnia may stem from neurotransmitter imbalances, like dopamine or GABA, requiring timeline data to assess duration and severity. Onset informs whether symptoms are situational or pathological, making coping strategies a secondary inquiry.
Choice C reason: Recent life changes (e.g., job loss) may contribute to symptoms but are not the first priority. Onset establishes the timeline, critical for diagnosing conditions like depression or anxiety, which involve altered brain chemistry (e.g., reduced serotonin). Life changes provide context but follow determining when symptoms began to guide accurate assessment.
Choice D reason: Onset of symptoms is the first information to obtain, as it establishes the timeline for mood swings, insomnia, and lack of focus. This data differentiates acute (e.g., stress-related) from chronic (e.g., bipolar disorder) conditions, guiding neurological or endocrine evaluation. Onset informs symptom progression, critical for diagnosis and treatment, making this the priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bending at the waist to hang a urinary unit risks back injury, as it violates body mechanics. Standing erect with bent knees uses leg muscles, reducing strain. This incorrect posture increases musculoskeletal injury risk, per ergonomic and safe patient handling guidelines in nursing.
Choice B reason: Stretching over the mattress to pick up an item strains the back and shoulders, ignoring body mechanics. Standing erect with bent knees ensures safe movement. This action risks injury, contradicting ergonomic principles, per safe patient handling and occupational safety standards in healthcare.
Choice C reason: Pushing a drawer closed with the hip avoids proper body mechanics, risking strain or injury. Standing erect with bent knees during client movement is safer. This action is unrelated to client care safety, per ergonomic and safe handling protocols in nursing practice.
Choice D reason: Standing erect with knees bent to pull a draw sheet uses proper body mechanics, leveraging leg muscles to reduce back strain. This minimizes injury risk during client movement, aligning with safe patient handling and ergonomic principles, per occupational safety and nursing care standards.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bending at the knees lowers the nurse’s center of gravity, enhancing stability during lifting. This engages leg muscles (quadriceps, glutes), reducing spinal strain and fall risk. Proper body mechanics protect the nurse’s musculoskeletal system and ensure safe client transfer post-surgery, when mobility is limited, making this the correct action.
Choice B reason: Standing with feet 3 inches apart provides insufficient balance, as a wider stance (12-18 inches) stabilizes the body during lifting. Narrow footing increases fall risk, especially with a post-surgical client’s unpredictable movements. Bending at the knees ensures better biomechanical support, making this option inadequate for safe mobility.
Choice C reason: Positioning behind the wheelchair with wheels locked is preparatory but not the primary lifting action. Safe lifting requires bending at the knees to engage leg muscles, minimizing back strain. While locking wheels prevents movement, it does not address the nurse’s body mechanics, making this secondary to proper lifting technique.
Choice D reason: Asking the client to place hands on the nurse’s shoulders risks instability, as post-surgical clients may have weak grip or balance. This shifts weight unpredictably, straining the nurse’s back. Bending at the knees ensures the nurse controls the lift, using leg strength, making this option unsafe for secure transfer.
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