A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing acute cocaine toxicity. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Hypothermia
Hypotension
Tremors
Respiratory depression
The Correct Answer is C
Tremors: This choice is correct. Tremors or muscle twitching can be expected in a client experiencing acute cocaine toxicity. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that can cause overstimulation of muscles, resulting in tremors.
Incorrect:
A- Hypothermia: This choice is incorrect. Acute cocaine toxicity is associated with an increase in body temperature (hyperthermia) rather than a decrease (hypothermia). Cocaine is a stimulant that can cause the body to overheat, leading to hyperthermia, which is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention.
B- Hypotension: This choice is incorrect. Cocaine is a stimulant that increases blood pressure and heart rate, leading to hypertension (high blood pressure), not hypotension (low blood pressure). Hypertension is a common cardiovascular effect of cocaine use.
D- Respiratory depression: This choice is incorrect. Respiratory depression, which is a slowing of the respiratory rate and depth, is more commonly associated with depressant drugs like opioids or benzodiazepines. As a stimulant, cocaine tends to have the opposite effect, leading to increased respiratory rate (tachypnea) and sometimes hyperventilation.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
By remaining with the client, the nurse provides a sense of support and security. This presence can help alleviate the client's anxiety and provide reassurance. It also ensures that the nurse is available to assess the client's condition, offer therapeutic communication, and intervene if the anxiety escalates or the client becomes overwhelmed.
While the other options are also beneficial interventions for managing anxiety, they are not the priority in this situation. Instructing the client to remember past coping mechanisms (Option A) can be helpful, but the immediate presence of the nurse is more important to provide immediate support.
Providing a diverting activity (Option B) can be beneficial to distract the client from their anxiety, but it does not address the underlying anxiety or provide direct support.
Encouraging verbalization of feelings (Option C) is important for therapeutic communication, but it may not be the initial priority when the client is experiencing acute anxiety.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A- Urinary frequency: Anxiety, particularly moderate to severe anxiety, can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which may lead to physical symptoms such as increased urination or urinary frequency. This is due to the body’s "fight-or-flight" response, which can affect the bladder.
B.Clients experiencing moderate anxiety may speak rapidly as their thoughts race, and they may feel an urgent need to express their concerns.
C- Chills: Chills are not typically associated with moderate anxiety disorder. Chills are more commonly seen in conditions such as infections or fever.
D- Distorted perceptual field: Distorted perceptual field, also known as perceptual disturbances, is not typically associated with moderate anxiety disorder. Perceptual disturbances refer to sensory experiences such as hallucinations or illusions, which are more commonly seen in severe mental health conditions like psychosis or substance-induced disorders.
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