A homeless client arrives in the emergency room. The client verbalizes an inability to bathe for at least one month. What is the nurse's priority?
Inspect the client's skin
Provide a towel and show the client to the shower
Ask if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently
Call a social worker
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Inspecting the client's skin is the nurse's priority, because it is the most urgent and relevant action. Inspecting the client's skin can help identify any signs of infection, injury, or infestation, such as wounds, rashes, ulcers, or lice. The client's skin may be compromised by the lack of hygiene, exposure to the elements, or poor nutrition. The client's skin may also be a source of transmission of pathogens to other clients or staff. Therefore, inspecting the client's skin is essential for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the client's condition.
Choice B reason: Providing a towel and showing the client to the shower is not the nurse's priority, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Providing a towel and showing the client to the shower is an important intervention, but it should be done after inspecting the client's skin and ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client and others. The client may have wounds, rashes, or ulcers that need to be cleaned, dressed, or treated before bathing. The client may also have lice or scabies that need to be isolated and treated with special shampoos or creams before bathing. The client may also need assistance or supervision during bathing, depending on the client's physical and mental status.
Choice C reason: Asking if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently is not the nurse's priority, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Asking if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently is an important question, but it should be done after inspecting the client's skin and providing a towel and showing the client to the shower. The client's history of homelessness and shelter use may provide some information about the client's social and environmental factors, such as exposure to violence, abuse, or disease, or access to resources, services, or support. However, this information is not as critical as the client's skin condition, which may require immediate attention and care.
Choice D reason: Calling a social worker is not the nurse's priority, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Calling a social worker is an important referral, but it should be done after inspecting the client's skin, providing a towel and showing the client to the shower, and asking if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently. The social worker can help the client with the psychosocial and practical aspects of homelessness, such as finding a shelter, applying for benefits, accessing health care, or addressing mental health or substance abuse issues. However, this referral is not as urgent as the client's skin condition, which may require immediate attention and care.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Culturing the wound is not the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Culturing the wound is a procedure that involves collecting a sample of the wound drainage and sending it to the laboratory for analysis, which can help identify the type and source of infection. Culturing the wound is an important intervention, but it should be done after inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage, and with a medical order and a sterile technique.
Choice B reason: Applying topical ointment to the wound is not the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Applying topical ointment to the wound is a procedure that involves applying a medication or a dressing to the wound site, which can help prevent or treat infection, inflammation, or pain. Applying topical ointment to the wound is an important intervention, but it should be done after inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage, and with a medical order and a clean technique.
Choice C reason: Inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage is the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is the most urgent and relevant action. Inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage is a process that involves observing and measuring the wound site and the wound exudate, which can reveal the presence and severity of infection, injury, or healing. Inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage is an essential assessment, as it can guide the diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of the client's condition.
Choice D reason: Calling the provider to initiate antibiotics is not the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Calling the provider to initiate antibiotics is a communication that involves reporting the client's situation and requesting a prescription for an antimicrobial agent, which can help fight or prevent infection. Calling the provider to initiate antibiotics is an important communication, but it should be done after inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage, and with the necessary data and documentation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A 44yearold prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia is not at the greatest risk for pressure injury development, because he or she does not have any major risk factors for pressure injury. Pressure injury is a localized damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by pressure, shear, friction, or moisture. Antibiotics for pneumonia do not directly affect the skin integrity or blood circulation, nor do they impair the mobility or sensation of the client.
Choice B reason: A 26yearold bedridden client with a fractured leg is at a high risk for pressure injury development, but not the greatest, because he or she has only one major risk factor for pressure injury. Bedridden status is a major risk factor for pressure injury, because it causes prolonged pressure on the bony prominences, such as the sacrum, heels, or hips, which can impair blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin and tissues. However, the client's age, fracture, and mobility may mitigate some of the risk, as he or she may have better skin elasticity, wound healing, and ability to reposition.
Choice C reason: A 65yearold with hemiparesis and incontinence is at the greatest risk for pressure injury development, because he or she has multiple major risk factors for pressure injury. Age is a risk factor for pressure injury, because it causes decreased skin elasticity, thickness, and vascularity, which can affect the skin's resilience and repair. Hemiparesis is a risk factor for pressure injury, because it causes reduced mobility, sensation, and muscle mass, which can affect the client's ability to reposition, feel pain, and maintain tissue perfusion. Incontinence is a risk factor for pressure injury, because it causes moisture, irritation, and infection of the skin, which can weaken the skin barrier and delay wound healing.
Choice D reason: A 78yearold requiring assistance to ambulate with a walker is at a moderate risk for pressure injury development, but not the greatest, because he or she has only one major risk factor for pressure injury. Age is a risk factor for pressure injury, as explained above. However, the client's ambulation and assistance may reduce some of the risk, as he or she may have less pressure, shear, and friction on the skin and tissues, and more blood circulation and oxygen delivery.
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