A client presents to the emergency department with a history of frequent, watery diarrhea after traveling overseas. Which of the following interventions would the nurse implement first?
Administer the antidiarrheal medication Lomotil
Obtain a stool sample for culture
Have the lab draw an erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Initiate antibiotic therapy intravenously
The Correct Answer is B
Rationale:
A. Antidiarrheal medications like Lomotil should be avoided initially in infectious diarrhea, as they can slow the elimination of pathogens and worsen the condition.
B. Obtaining a stool sample for culture is the first priority to identify the causative organism, especially in a client with recent travel history, which raises suspicion for infectious or parasitic diarrhea.
C. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measures inflammation but is not specific or urgently needed for diagnosing infectious diarrhea.
D. Initiating antibiotics before identifying the pathogen may lead to inappropriate treatment and resistance; therapy should be guided by culture results.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Omeprazole does not strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter; it reduces acid production to relieve symptoms associated with acid reflux.
B. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that works by reducing gastric acid secretion, helping to relieve symptoms like heartburn and esophageal irritation caused by hiatal hernia.
C. Moving food more quickly through the GI tract is the role of prokinetic agents, not PPIs.
D. Neutralizing stomach acid is the action of antacids, not omeprazole.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Notifying the healthcare provider is important but the nurse’s first priority is assessing the client’s overall status.
B. Reassurance without assessment ignores the potential seriousness of a hematoma.
C. Monitoring for signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia) is the priority action because a hematoma can cause significant blood loss leading to hypovolemic shock.
D. Warm compresses are generally not recommended immediately after hematoma formation, as they may increase bleeding or swelling.
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