A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a client who has blepharitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Reinforce teaching with the client about proper instillation of antibiotic eye drops.
Apply warm compresses to the affected eye.
Dim the lights in the client examination room.
Inspect the eyes for drainage or redness.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: This is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should first address the client's comfort and inflammation before teaching them how to use the eye drops.
Choice B reason: Option B (warm compresses) is a key intervention for blepharitis to improve meibomian gland function and reduce crusting. However, assessment (Option D) must precede treatment to ensure no contraindications (e.g., corneal abrasion) and tailor care appropriately.
Choice C reason: This is a helpful action, but not the first one. The nurse should first apply warm compresses to the affected eye, and then dim the lights to reduce the sensitivity and pain.
Choice D reason: The first step in the nursing process is assessment. Even with a diagnosis of blepharitis, the nurse must inspect the eyes to evaluate the current severity, presence of drainage (e.g., purulent vs. serous), redness, or signs of secondary infection (e.g., bacterial involvement). This informs subsequent interventions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A client who has BPH and reports dysuria is not the highest priority, because dysuria is a common symptom of BPH and does not indicate an acute complication. The nurse should monitor the client's urinary output and provide comfort measures.
Choice B reason: A client who has ulcerative colitis and reports diarrhea is not the highest priority, because diarrhea is a chronic symptom of ulcerative colitis and does not indicate an acute complication. The nurse should assess the client's hydration status and electrolyte levels and administer medications as prescribed.
Choice C reason: A client who has emphysema and reports dyspnea is the highest priority, because dyspnea is a sign of respiratory distress and can indicate an acute exacerbation of emphysema. The nurse should assess the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory rate and administer oxygen therapy as prescribed.
Choice D reason: A client who has esophageal cancer and reports painful swallowing is not the highest priority, because painful swallowing is a common symptom of esophageal cancer and does not indicate an acute complication. The nurse should provide the client with soft or liquid foods and administer analgesics as prescribed.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Irrigating the catheter with sterile water is an incorrect action, because the catheter should be irrigated with sterile normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) to prevent hemolysis of the red blood cells.
Choice B reason: Clamping the drainage catheter during ambulation is an incorrect action, because the catheter should be kept patent and unclamped at all times to prevent obstruction and infection.
Choice C reason: Reporting viscous drainage with clots to the provider is a correct action, because it indicates that the irrigation is not effective and the client may need manual irrigation or surgical intervention.
Choice D reason: Removing the catheter if the client feels a strong urge to urinate is an incorrect action, because the catheter should be left in place until the provider orders its removal. The client may feel a sensation of bladder fullness or spasms due to the irrigation fluid, which can be relieved by medication or adjustment of the flow rate.
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