A nurse assessment of a client diagnosed with an acute loss of consciousness reveals a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 6.
Which nursing diagnosis is the priority?
Acute Confusion.
Self-Care Deficit.
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity.
Ineffective Airway Clearance.
The Correct Answer is D
Ineffective Airway Clearance. This is because a client with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 6 has a severe impairment of consciousness and is at risk of aspiration, respiratory failure, and infection. The GCS is a clinical scale that measures a person’s level of consciousness after a brain injury based on their eye, verbal and motor responses. A GCS score of 6 indicates that the client only opens eyes to pain, makes incomprehensible sounds and shows abnormal flexion to pain.
Choice A is wrong because Acute Confusion is not a priority nursing diagnosis for a client with a GCS of 6.
Acute Confusion is a state of disorientation and impaired memory that can be caused by various factors such as medication, infection, electrolyte imbalance or dementia.
A client with a GCS of 6 is not likely to be confused, but rather unresponsive or minimally responsive.
Choice B is wrong because Self-Care Deficit is not a priority nursing diagnosis for a client with a GCS of 6.
Self-care deficit is the impaired ability to perform activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding or toileting.
A client with a GCS of 6 will need assistance with all these activities, but the most urgent concern is their airway patency and oxygenation.
Choice C is wrong because Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity is not a priority nursing diagnosis for a client with a GCS of 6.
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity is the potential for damage to the skin or underlying tissues due to pressure, friction, shear or moisture.
A client with a GCS of 6 may be at risk for developing pressure ulcers or skin breakdown due to immobility and reduced sensation, but this is not as life-threatening as ineffective airway clearance.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The nurse should make the statement “The client has hypoxemia after 10 minutes on a rebreather mask.” first. This is because SBAR (Situation- Background-Assessment-Recommendation) is a communication tool that helps provide essential, concise information, usually during crucial situations. The first component of SBAR is Situation, which is a concise statement of the problem.
The nurse should state the most urgent and relevant problem first, which is the client’s hypoxemia.
Choice A is wrong because it is not a clear statement of the situation.
It is vague and does not provide specific information about the client’s condition or vital signs.
It also expresses the nurse’s feeling rather than an objective assessment.
Choice C is wrong because it is part of the Assessment component of SBAR, not the Situation.
It provides numerical data about the client’s blood gas analysis, but it does not state the problem or the reason for calling the healthcare provider.
Choice D is wrong because it is part of the Background component of SBAR, not the Situation.
It provides pertinent and brief information related to the situation, such as the client’s medical history and diagnosis, but it does not state the current problem or concern.
Normal ranges for blood gas analysis are:
- PaO2: 80-100 mmHg
- PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg
- HCO3: 22-26 mEq/L
Hypoxemia is defined as a low level of oxygen in the blood, usually below 60 mmHg.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The needle gauge size for subcutaneous injections should be between 25 and 31, depending on the patient’s size and the viscosity of the medication.
A smaller gauge number means a larger diameter needle, which can cause more pain and tissue damage.
Choice A is wrong because 8 is too large for subcutaneous injections and can cause bleeding and bruising.
Choice B is wrong because 20 is also too large for subcutaneous injections and can cause similar complications as choice A.
Choice C is wrong because 21 is still too large for subcutaneous injections and can cause discomfort and injury to the patient.
The needle length for subcutaneous injections should be between ½ inch and ⅝ inch, depending on the amount of subcutaneous tissue present. The nurse should pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle to ensure proper delivery of the medication.
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