A nurse in a long-term care facility has just received change-of-shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?
A client who is receiving an enteral tube feeding and has a blood glucose level of 155 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
A client who has a spinal cord injury and needs a dressing change
A client who has a temperature of 38.4° C (101.1 F) and appears confused
A client who had a hip arthroplasty and is requesting pain medication
The Correct Answer is C
A. A client who is receiving an enteral tube feeding and has a blood glucose level of 155 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL): A mildly elevated blood glucose level is not immediately life-threatening and can be managed after addressing more urgent issues. This client is stable at the moment.
B. A client who has a spinal cord injury and needs a dressing change: While important for preventing infection, a scheduled dressing change is not an immediate threat to the client’s life or health and can be safely performed after more urgent concerns are addressed.
C. A client who has a temperature of 38.4° C (101.1° F) and appears confused: Fever and new-onset confusion suggest a possible infection, such as sepsis or urinary tract infection, especially in older adults. This situation indicates a potential life-threatening condition and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
D. A client who had a hip arthroplasty and is requesting pain medication: Managing pain is important, but it is not immediately life-threatening. After addressing the client with fever and confusion, attending to the client's pain needs would be appropriate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "I will take my inhaler treatment before each meal and at bedtime.": Budesonide is a corticosteroid used for long-term control of asthma, not for timing around meals. It is usually taken at set times daily to maintain airway inflammation control, not specifically related to mealtimes or bedtime alone.
B. "I should use my inhaler before exercising.": Using an inhaler before exercise is a strategy typically applied to short-acting bronchodilators like albuterol to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Budesonide is a maintenance medication and is not intended for pre-exercise use.
C. "I should use my inhaler when I have an asthma attack.": Budesonide is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used during an acute asthma attack. Quick-relief inhalers like albuterol are used for immediate symptom management during asthma exacerbations.
D. "I will rinse my mouth and gargle with water after each inhaler treatment.": Rinsing the mouth after using an inhaled corticosteroid like budesonide is important to prevent oral thrush (candidiasis). This action demonstrates correct understanding of medication use and necessary precautions.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Ask the client to identify what made them upset: The first action should be to assess and de-escalate the situation using therapeutic communication. Asking the client to verbalize their feelings can help reduce agitation, promote self-awareness, and prevent escalation.
B. Assist the client with understanding their needs: Helping the client understand their needs is important but comes after first addressing and calming their immediate emotional agitation through assessment and supportive conversation.
C. Place the client in seclusion: Seclusion is a last-resort intervention when the client poses a danger to themselves or others and less restrictive measures have failed. It should not be the first action without attempting de-escalation techniques.
D. Administer lorazepam IM: Administering medication is appropriate if non-pharmacological interventions fail. However, medication should not be the first response before attempting verbal de-escalation strategies in an agitated client.
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