A nurse in a long-term care facility finds an older adult client lying on the floor next to the bed. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Check the client for injuries.
Obtain a prescription for medication to sedate the client.
Call the family and ask them to make arrangements for someone to sit with the client.
Assist the client back into bed and apply restraints.
The Correct Answer is A
The first action the nurse should take is to check the client for injuries. The nurse should assess the client for any signs of injury or trauma and provide appropriate care as needed.
Obtaining a prescription for medication to sedate the client, calling the family and asking them to make arrangements for someone to sit with the client, and assisting the client back into bed and applying restraints are not appropriate initial actions for the nurse to take in this situation. These actions may be considered after the client has been assessed for injuries and their immediate needs have been addressed.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The first action the nurse should take is to test the drainage for glucose. Clear drainage from the nose following a basal skull fracture could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. CSF contains glucose, so testing the drainage for glucose can help determine if it is CSF.
b. Taking the client's temperature is not the first action the nurse should take.
c. Notifying the charge nurse is important but not the first action the nurse should take.
d. Placing a dressing under the client's nose is not the first action the nurse should take.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should monitor the client for lethargy as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a rise in pressure around the brain that can occur due to various reasons such as brain injury, bleeding into the brain, swelling in the brain, or an increase in cerebrospinal fluid. Lethargy (feeling less alert than usual) is a common symptom of increased ICP.
a. Nuchal rigidity is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
b. Batle's sign is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
c. Polyuria is not a common symptom of increased ICP.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today