A client is admitted to the hospital with symptoms consistent with a right hemisphere stroke. Which neurovascular assessment requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

Orientation to person and place only.

Unequal bilateral hand grip strengths.

Left-sided facial drooping and dysphagia.

Pupillary changes to ipsilateral dilation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Orientation to person and place only suggests confusion, common in right hemisphere stroke affecting non-dominant cognition. This is not immediately life-threatening. Pupillary dilation indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP) or herniation, a critical emergency requiring urgent intervention to prevent brain stem damage or death.

Choice B reason: Unequal hand grip strengths indicate hemiparesis, typical in right hemisphere stroke affecting left-sided motor function. This is expected and not acutely life-threatening. Pupillary dilation signals rising ICP or herniation, necessitating immediate intervention to prevent catastrophic neurological decline, making it the priority finding.

Choice C reason: Left-sided facial drooping and dysphagia are common in right hemisphere stroke, reflecting contralateral cranial nerve deficits. These are serious but not immediately life-threatening. Pupillary dilation indicates potential herniation from ICP, requiring urgent intervention like mannitol to prevent brain stem compression and fatal outcomes.

Choice D reason: Ipsilateral pupillary dilation in right hemisphere stroke signals increased ICP or herniation, compressing the oculomotor nerve (CN III), impairing pupillary constriction. This life-threatening emergency indicates impending brain stem compromise, requiring immediate intervention with ICP-lowering measures or surgery to prevent irreversible damage or death.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Excessive levothyroxine causes hyperthyroidism, increasing T3/T4, stimulating beta-adrenergic receptors, leading to palpitations (tachycardia) and shortness of breath from heightened cardiac workload and oxygen demand. These indicate overdose, risking atrial fibrillation, requiring immediate dose adjustment to prevent cardiovascular complications in this thyroid-treated client.

Choice B reason: Lethargy and lack of appetite suggest hypothyroidism, indicating low thyroid hormone levels from insufficient levothyroxine. These are opposite to overdose symptoms like palpitations, driven by excessive metabolism. High doses cause hyperthyroid effects, making this incorrect for identifying excessive dosing in goiter treatment.

Choice C reason: Muscle cramps and dry, flushed skin are not typical of levothyroxine overdose. Hyperthyroidism causes warm, moist skin from increased metabolism, not dryness. Cramps relate to electrolytes. Palpitations and shortness of breath are hallmark overdose signs, reflecting thyroid-driven cardiovascular overstimulation, making this less accurate.

Choice D reason: Bradycardia and constipation indicate hypothyroidism from low thyroid hormones, reducing heart rate and metabolism. This suggests inadequate levothyroxine, not overdose. Excessive doses cause hyperthyroidism, with palpitations and dyspnea from metabolic hyperactivity, making these symptoms incorrect for high-dose levothyroxine effects.

A. Evaluate amount of urinary output hourly. B. Clamp the catheter for 5 minutes hourly. C. Secure the ureteral catheter to the client’s leg. D. Report urine leakage around ureteral catheter.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Evaluating urinary output hourly monitors renal function post-ureterolithotomy, as obstruction or complications may reduce output. However, urine leakage around the catheter suggests dislodgement or ureteral injury, risking peritonitis or infection. Reporting leakage is more urgent, as it indicates a critical catheter malfunction requiring immediate medical attention.

Choice B reason: Clamping the ureteral catheter risks obstructing urine flow, increasing pressure and causing ureteral damage or reflux, potentially leading to hydronephrosis or infection. Leakage around the catheter is a more pressing issue, indicating possible perforation or displacement, necessitating urgent reporting to prevent severe complications.

Choice C reason: Securing the catheter prevents dislodgement but is routine. Urine leakage suggests a critical issue like catheter malfunction or ureteral injury, which could cause peritonitis or fistula. Reporting leakage takes precedence, as it addresses a potentially life-threatening complication, ensuring timely intervention over standard catheter care.

Choice D reason: Reporting urine leakage is critical, as it may indicate catheter displacement or ureteral perforation, risking peritonitis or infection. Leakage suggests the catheter fails to drain urine properly, a serious post-surgical issue requiring immediate assessment, potentially via imaging or surgical correction, to prevent renal or systemic complications.

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A client is admitted to the hospital with symptoms consistent with a right hemisphere stroke. Which neurovascular assessment requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is admitted to the hospital for treatment of a simple goiter, and levothyroxine sodium is prescribed. Which symptoms indicate to the nurse that the prescribed dosage is too high for this client?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Following a ureterolithotomy, the client has a ureteral catheter in place. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

In assessing tactile fremitus in the client with suspected pneumonia, the nurse should perform which action?

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The nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is most important to include in the client’s plan of care?

Following a total thyroidectomy, the nurse plans to observe a client for complications. Which finding indicates that the client has developed a complication?

After suctioning a client who has an endotracheal tube, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the intervention was effective?

After a week of bedrest, a client is being assisted to a chair for the first time. The nurse raises the head of the bed and moves the client to a sitting position. Which action should the nurse implement next?

After administering lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, it is most important for the nurse to monitor which assessment finding?