A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who was biten on the left leg by a poisonous snake. The client has placed elastic bandages snugly above and below the bite marks and is in no apparent distress. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Remove both of the elastic bandages from the leg.
Discharge the client.
Obtain a prescription for the appropriate anti-venom.
Obtain a prescription for pain medication.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Removing the elastic bandages is not recommended. These bandages help slow the spread of venom by compressing the lymphatic vessels. Removing them could worsen the envenomation.
Choice B: This is incorrect. The nurse should not discharge the client, as they may develop serious complications from the snake bite, such as swelling, bleeding, infection, or shock. The client should be monitored closely and treated accordingly.
Choice C: This is the correct action. Antivenom treatment is crucial for serious snake envenomation. The sooner it can be administered, the better the outcome.
Choice D: While pain management is important, it is not the priority in this situation. Antivenom takes precedence over pain medication.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is correct because the carotid pulse is the most accessible and reliable pulse to check during CPR for an adult client. The carotid pulse is the most accessible and reliable pulse to check during CPR for an adult client. The carotid pulse is located on the side of the neck, near the trachea. The nurse should use two fingers to palpate the carotid pulse for at least 5 seconds and no more than 10 seconds.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because the popliteal pulse is located behind the knee and is not easily palpable during CPR.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because the radial pulse is located on the wrist and may not be detectable during CPR due to low blood pressure or peripheral vasoconstriction.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because the apical pulse is located on the chest and requires a stethoscope to auscultate. The nurse should not interrupt chest compressions or ventilations to listen to the apical pulse during CPR.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Ask the client to shrug his shoulders against passive resistance is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve XI, which is the accessory nerve. The accessory nerve innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are involved in shoulder and neck movements.
Choice B: Instruct the client to look up and down without moving his head is an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. Cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve, which innervates four of the six extraocular muscles that control eye movements. The oculomotor nerve also controls pupil size and lens shape. By instructing the client to look up and down without moving his head, the nurse can assess the ability of the oculomotor nerve to move the eyes vertically and adjust to different distances.
Choice C: Observe the client's ability to smile and frown is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve VII, which is the facial nerve. The facial nerve innervates the muscles of facial expression, which are involved in smiling, frowning, blinking, and other facial movements.
Choice D: Have the client stand with his eyes closed and touch his nose is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve VIII, which is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve innervates the inner ear and is responsible for hearing and balance. By having the client stand with his eyes closed and touch his nose, the nurse can assess the ability of the vestibulocochlear nerve to maintain equilibrium and coordination.
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