A client with a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension received new medication prescriptions three days ago. Today the client returns to the clinic reporting a severe headache and blurred vision. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Place the client in a darkened room.
Obtain blood pressure reading.
Administer an oral analgesic.
Perform finger stick glucose.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Placing the client in a darkened room may help alleviate symptoms if the headache is related to migraine or sensitivity to light, but it does not address the potential underlying cause of the severe headache and blurred vision in a client with a history of diabetes and hypertension.
Choice B reason: Obtaining a blood pressure reading is the most critical first step. Severe headache and blurred vision can be symptoms of hypertensive crisis, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent complications such as stroke or organ damage. Checking the blood pressure will help determine if the client's symptoms are due to elevated blood pressure.
Choice C reason: Administering an oral analgesic may provide temporary relief for the headache, but it does not address the potential underlying causes of the symptoms. The priority is to assess and manage any potentially life-threatening conditions.
Choice D reason: Performing a finger stick glucose test is important for monitoring blood glucose levels in a client with diabetes. However, in the context of the severe headache and blurred vision, the immediate concern should be to rule out hypertensive crisis by checking the blood pressure first. Blood glucose can be checked after ensuring the client's blood pressure is not critically high.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Occult positive emesis, which indicates the presence of blood in vomit, is a critical finding. It suggests potential gastrointestinal bleeding, which requires immediate medical intervention. This condition can lead to significant blood loss and further complications if not addressed promptly.
Choice B reason: Strong foul-smelling flatus can indicate malabsorption or changes in gut flora, which are common after biliopancreatic diversion. While it can be unpleasant and concerning, it is not as immediately dangerous as gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice C reason: A report of poor night vision could be related to vitamin A deficiency, which can occur after malabsorptive procedures like BPD. However, it is not an immediate threat compared to the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice D reason: Loose bowel movements are common after BPD due to changes in digestion and absorption. While they can contribute to dehydration, they are not as urgent as the presence of blood in vomit.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Denial of urinary frequency, urgency, or dysuria is a good sign of symptom relief but does not directly confirm the success of the lithotripsy in terms of stone removal.
Choice B reason: The presence of stone fragments in the urine after lithotripsy indicates that the procedure successfully broke up the kidney stones, allowing them to be excreted. This is a direct and specific measure of the procedure's effectiveness.
Choice C reason: Pale pink urine with no observable blood clots is a positive sign and suggests that there is no significant bleeding, but it does not directly confirm the removal of the kidney stones.
Choice D reason: Normal serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels indicate good kidney function but do not specifically reflect the success of the lithotripsy in breaking up and removing the stones.
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