A male client with diabetes mellitus (DM) is transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility following treatment for a stroke with resulting right hemiplegia. The client reports his feet feel uncomfortably cool at night, preventing him from falling asleep. Which action should the nurse implement?
Use a bed cradle to hold the covers off feet.
Provide a warming pad (Aqua-pad or K-pad) to feet.
Place warm blankets next to the client’s feet.
Medicate the client with a prescribed sedative.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Using a bed cradle to hold the covers off feet is not a good option for a client with DM and right hemiplegia, because it can increase the risk of injury and infection to the feet. The client may have reduced sensation and circulation in the feet due to diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, which can make the feet more prone to ulcers, gangrene, and amputation. The client should keep the feet covered and protected from pressure and trauma.
Choice B reason: Providing a warming pad (Aqua-pad or K-pad) to feet is the best option for a client with DM and right hemiplegia, because it can help improve the blood flow and comfort to the feet. The warming pad is a device that circulates warm water or air through a pad that is placed on the skin. The nurse should monitor the temperature and duration of the warming pad, and check the skin for signs of burns or blisters.
Choice C reason: Placing warm blankets next to the client’s feet is not a reliable option for a client with DM and right hemiplegia, because it may not provide enough warmth and may slip off during the night. The client may not be able to adjust the blankets due to the hemiplegia, which can affect the movement and strength of the right side of the body. The client may also have difficulty feeling the blankets due to the neuropathy.
Choice D reason: Medicating the client with a prescribed sedative is not a suitable option for a client with DM and right hemiplegia, because it does not address the underlying cause of the cool feet, and may have adverse effects on the client’s condition. The sedative may interact with the client’s other medications, such as insulin or oral hypoglycemics, and cause hypoglycemia, which can worsen the stroke recovery. The sedative may also cause respiratory depression, which can affect the oxygen delivery to the brain and the feet.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Swabbing the throat for a rapid strep test is not a priority action that the nurse should implement, because it is not relevant to the client's current condition. A rapid strep test is a diagnostic tool that can detect the presence of Streptococcus bacteria in the throat, which can cause strep throat, a common bacterial infection. However, the client has already been diagnosed with strep throat and has been taking antibiotics for three days, so the test result may not be accurate or useful.
Choice B reason: Providing a mask for the client to wear is not a necessary action that the nurse should implement, because it is not related to the client's problem. A mask is a protective device that can prevent the transmission of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, influenza, or tuberculosis, by blocking the droplets or aerosols that contain the pathogens. However, the client's symptoms are not caused by a respiratory infection, but by an allergic reaction to the antibiotics, which is not contagious.
Choice C reason: Instructing the client to stop taking the antibiotics is the most important action that the nurse should implement, because it can prevent further exposure to the allergen and reduce the severity of the reaction. The client's symptoms, such as rash, wheezing, and tachycardia, indicate that the client is having an allergic reaction to the antibiotics, which can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, especially if it progresses to anaphylaxis, a severe systemic reaction that can cause shock, airway obstruction, and organ failure. The nurse should instruct the client to stop taking the antibiotics immediately and notify the doctor.
Choice D reason: Applying a hypoallergenic cream to the rash is not a sufficient action that the nurse should implement, because it can only provide temporary relief and not address the underlying cause of the rash. A hypoallergenic cream is a topical product that can moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin, and it does not contain any ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. However, the rash is not caused by a skin irritant, but by a systemic reaction to the antibiotics, which requires more than a cream to treat.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: A husky voice and complaints of hoarseness are not related to Cushing's syndrome, but may indicate a thyroid disorder or vocal cord damage.
Choice B reason: Warm, soft, moist, salmon-colored skin is not a characteristic of Cushing's syndrome, but may be seen in hyperthyroidism or infection.
Choice C reason: Visible swelling of the neck, with no pain, is not a sign of Cushing's syndrome, but may indicate a goiter or thyroid enlargement.
Choice D reason: Central-type obesity, with thin extremities, is a common feature of Cushing's syndrome, which is caused by excess cortisol production or exposure. Cortisol causes fat redistribution to the trunk, face, and back of the neck, while causing muscle wasting and weakness in the arms and legs.
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