A nurse at a community health clinic is caring for a patient who reports a headache and stiff neck. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Check the patient's blood temperature.
Administer an oral analgesic.
Perform a complete blood count.
Evaluate the patient's neurological status.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Check the patient’s blood temperature. – Correct Answer. A headache and stiff neck are classic signs of meningitis. Fever is another key symptom, so checking temperature helps confirm suspicion and guides urgent intervention.
B. Administer an oral analgesic. – Incorrect. Pain management is secondary. The priority is assessing for infection (meningitis).
C. Perform a complete blood count. – Incorrect. While a CBC may show elevated WBCs, immediate assessment is more urgent.
D. Evaluate the patient’s neurological status. – Incorrect. While neurological assessment is important, confirming fever as an infection indicator is the first step.
Nursing Test Bank
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Neutropenic – Used for low WBC count, not platelets.
B. Contact – Used for infections like C. diff or MRSA.
C. Droplet – Used for respiratory illnesses like flu or meningitis.
D. Bleeding – Correct Answer. A low platelet count increases the risk of bleeding, so bleeding precautions are necessary (e.g., soft toothbrush, avoiding IM injections, fall precautions).
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Loosen the patient's restrictive clothing – This helps prevent airway obstruction and allows for better chest expansion during the seizure.
B. Open the patient’s jaws to insert an oral airway – Never attempt to force open the mouth during a seizure, as it can cause injury.
C. Restrain the patient to prevent injury – Restraining can cause further harm and should be avoided. Instead, clear the area around the patient to prevent injury.
D. Place patient in high-Fowler’s position – The patient should be placed in a side-lying position to prevent aspiration, not high-Fowler’s.
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