A nurse in a rehabilitation unit is assessing a group of clients who have a traumatic brain injury. The nurse should identify that which of the following clients requires a priority referral?
A client who needs assistance when ambulating.
A client who consistently has difficulty using utensils while eating.
A client who has expressive aphasia.
A client who consistently coughs after drinking liquids.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is Choice D.
Choice A rationale: Ambulation assistance is expected in rehabilitation. It reflects motor recovery needs but does not pose an immediate safety or health risk requiring urgent referral.
Choice B rationale: Difficulty using utensils indicates fine motor deficits. While important for occupational therapy, it’s not a priority compared to airway protection concerns.
Choice C rationale: Expressive aphasia affects communication but does not compromise physical safety or airway integrity. Speech therapy is appropriate but not urgent.
Choice D rationale: Coughing after drinking signals aspiration risk. This can lead to pneumonia or airway obstruction, requiring immediate referral to speech-language pathology for swallow evaluation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Verifying placement of a nasogastric tube requires specialized training and knowledge to ensure correct placement and prevent complications. The nurse should retain this task to ensure patient safety.
Choice B rationale:
Evaluating a client's understanding of how to use crutches involves assessing the client's comprehension and ability to use crutches safely and effectively. This task requires nursing judgment and should not be delegated to an assistive personnel.
Choice C rationale:
Replacing the gauze on a skin abrasion is a task that can be safely assigned to an assistive personnel. It involves basic wound care, which typically falls within the scope of practice for assistive personnel. The AP can be trained to follow established protocols for wound cleaning and dressing changes.
Choice D rationale:
Monitoring bowel sounds requires clinical judgment and the ability to recognize variations from the normal range. The nurse should perform this task, as it involves assessing the client's condition and making appropriate decisions based on the findings.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Metabolic acidosis is not the correct acid-base imbalance for the given ABG results. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH (acidic), low bicarbonate (HCO3) levels, and a compensatory decrease in the PaCO2. In the provided ABG results, the pH is elevated, and both the PaCO2 and HCO3 levels are within normal ranges.
Choice B rationale:
Respiratory acidosis is also not the correct acid-base imbalance for the given ABG results. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an elevation in PaCO2 due to inadequate ventilation, leading to an acidic pH. In the provided ABG results, the pH is elevated, and the PaCO2 level is within normal range.
Choice C rationale:
Metabolic alkalosis is the correct acid-base imbalance for the given ABG results. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH, elevated bicarbonate (HCO3) levels, and a compensatory increase in PaCO2. In this case, the pH is higher than the normal range, the HCO3 level is elevated, and the PaCO2 is also slightly increased as the body attempts to compensate.
Choice D rationale:
Respiratory alkalosis is not the correct answer based on the provided ABG results. Respiratory alkalosis is marked by an elevated pH and a decrease in PaCO2 due to excessive ventilation. In the given ABG results, the pH is elevated, but the PaCO2 is not decreased; it's within the normal range.
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