A nurse at a community health clinic is caring for a client who reports a headache and stiff neck. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
Obtain a throat culture specimen.
Perform a complete blood count.
Check the client's temperature.
Administer an oral analgesic.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Obtaining a throat culture specimen might be necessary if a throat infection is suspected, but it is not the immediate priority without first assessing the presence of fever or other systemic signs.
B. Performing a complete blood count could be useful in diagnosing underlying conditions or infections but is not the initial action; the temperature check provides immediate information about potential systemic infection.
C. Check the client's temperature.Headache and stiff neck are symptoms that could be associated with various conditions, including infections such as meningitis. A fever often accompanies infections, and checking the client's temperature helps in identifying if there is a fever, which could be indicative of an infection requiring further evaluation and treatment.
D. Administering an oral analgesic could provide symptom relief but does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms. It is essential first to assess the client’s condition fully before initiating symptomatic treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
a.A GCS score of 8 indicates severe impairment, suggesting the client may be in a state where they cannot perform basic self-care activities and thus require total nursing care.
b.A GCS score of 8 indicates severe impairment but not necessarily a deep coma. Scores below 8 suggest a comatose state, but deep coma is more likely to be indicated by a score of 3-4.
c.A GCS score of 8 is not consistent with a client who is alert and oriented. This score indicates significant neurological impairment.
d.A GCS score of 8 does not indicate stable neurological status. It suggests severe impairment and potentially unstable or deteriorating neurological condition.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should anticipate that the provider will initially prescribe acetaminophen to the client who has a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) has been shown to help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain². It is often used as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis pain.
a. Hyaluronic acid is not typically the first medication prescribed for osteoarthritis.
b. Ibuprofen may be prescribed for osteoarthritis but is not typically the first medication prescribed.
d. Celecoxib may be prescribed for osteoarthritis but is not typically the first medication prescribed.
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