A nurse is assessing a client who sustained a basal skull fracture and notes a thin stream of clear drainage coming from the client's right nostril. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Test the drainage for the halo sign.
Ask the client to blow his nose.
Notify the physician.
Suction the nostril.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:Testing the drainage for the halo sign is the first action the nurse should take, as clear drainage from the nose following a basal skull fracture could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which contains glucose.
Choice B reason:Asking the client to blow his nose could potentially increase the risk of infection or worsen a CSF leak and is not recommended as a first action.
Choice C reason:While notifying the physician is important, it should be done after confirming whether the drainage is CSF, which would require immediate medical intervention.
Choice D reason:Suctioning the nostril is not the first action to take, as it could potentially disrupt the site of the leak and is not diagnostic of a CSF leak.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber can indicate an air leak, which is not necessarily a sign of lung re-expansion. It could suggest that the lung has not fully re-expanded or that there is a persistent air leak.
Choice B reason: While the absence of pleuritic chest pain is a positive sign, it is not a definitive indicator of lung re-expansion. Pleuritic chest pain can subside even if the lung has not fully re-expanded.
Choice C reason: No tidaling in the water-seal chamber is a strong indicator that the lung has re-expanded. When the lung is fully expanded, it presses against the chest wall, eliminating the space where air could collect and thus stopping the water level from fluctuating with respiration.
Choice D reason: An oxygen saturation of 95% is within normal limits and suggests adequate oxygenation, but it does not specifically indicate lung re-expansion. Oxygen saturation can be maintained with supplemental oxygen or other supportive measures even if the lung has not fully re-expanded.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pain occurring 30 to 60 minutes after a meal is a common symptom of gastric ulcers due to the increased gastric acid secretion during digestion that can aggravate the ulcer.
Choice B reason: Pain at night is also typical for gastric ulcers as the circadian rhythm can influence acid secretion, potentially leading to increased discomfort during the night.
Choice C reason: A sensation of bloating can be associated with gastric ulcers due to delayed gastric emptying or increased sensitivity of the stomach lining.
Choice D reason:Pain relieved by eating is indicative of gastric ulcers because food can act as a buffer to stomach acid, temporarily relieving pain².
Choice E reason:Pain upon palpation of the epigastric region is expected in clients with gastric ulcers due to the localized inflammation and sensitivity of the stomach lining².
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