A nurse is attending to a patient who suddenly experiences numbness and weakness on the right side of their body, including their arm and leg.

The nurse also observes a distinct droop on the right side of the patient’s face.

After reporting these findings to the healthcare provider, the nurse receives several prescriptions for the patient, including an immediate CT scan of the head.

What should be the nurse’s first course of action?

Initiate two large-bore IV catheters and review the inclusion criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy.

Start continuous observation for transient episodes of neurologic dysfunction.

Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees, keeping the head and neck in neutral alignment.

Administer aspirin to prevent further clot formation and platelet aggregation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
If a patient suddenly experiences numbness and weakness on the right side of their body, including their arm and leg, and a distinct droop on the right side of the patient’s face, these are warning signs of a stroke. The nurse’s first course of action should be to initiate two large- bore IV catheters and review the inclusion criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy. This is because rapid administration of fibrinolytic therapy can significantly improve outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Choice B rationale
Continuous observation for transient episodes of neurologic dysfunction is important, but the immediate priority is to prepare for potential fibrinolytic therapy.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees and keeping the head and neck in neutral alignment can be beneficial in certain situations, but it is not the immediate priority in this scenario.

Choice D rationale
Administering aspirin can help prevent further clot formation and platelet aggregation in patients with acute coronary syndrome or those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, in the case of a suspected stroke, immediate medical evaluation and potential fibrinolytic therapy are the priorities.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Heparin is an anticoagulant medication that prevents the formation of blood clots. One of the most common and serious side effects of heparin therapy is bleeding. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to observe for signs of bleeding, such as bruising, petechiae, hematomas, black tarry stools, hematuria, and changes in mental status. Regular laboratory monitoring of the client’s coagulation status, specifically the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), is also necessary to ensure therapeutic levels of heparin without causing excessive bleeding.

Choice B rationale

While mobilization can help prevent the formation of new clots, it is not the most important intervention for a client who is already on a heparin protocol for DVT. Mobilization can potentially dislodge the existing clot, leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Choice C rationale

Although it is important to monitor vital signs in all clients, assessing blood pressure and heart rate every 4 hours is not the most important intervention for a client on a heparin protocol.

Changes in blood pressure and heart rate are not specific to heparin therapy and do not provide direct information about the effectiveness or side effects of the medication.

Choice D rationale

Measuring each calf’s girth can help evaluate the progression of edema in the affected leg, but it is not the most important intervention for a client on a heparin protocol. While it can provide information about the local effects of the DVT, it does not address the systemic anticoagulation effects of heparin therapy.

A. You made a promise to your mother that you need to keep. B. Moving your mother into a care facility will show her that you do not love her. C. Helping your mother should be easier than raising a child. D. Involve your mother in the decision-making process. E. It is okay not to love or like your mother when you are caring for her. F. Take time for yourself and the other relationships that you care about. G. Saying “no” to things involving the care of your mother is a selfish action.

Correct Answer is ["D","E","F"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While it’s important to honor commitments, it’s also crucial to recognize when the caregiving role becomes too stressful or burdensome. Insisting on keeping a promise despite significant stress can lead to caregiver burnout.
Choice B rationale

This statement is not accurate. Moving a loved one into a care facility is sometimes the best decision for both the caregiver and the care recipient. It does not reflect a lack of love, but rather a recognition of the need for professional help.
Choice C rationale
This statement is not accurate. Caring for an adult, especially one with health issues, can be more challenging than raising a child in many ways.
Choice D rationale
Involving the care recipient in the decision-making process can help maintain their autonomy and dignity. It can also make the caregiving process more manageable.
Choice E rationale
It’s normal to have mixed feelings about a loved one for whom you’re providing care. Acknowledging these feelings can be an important step in managing caregiver stress.
Choice F rationale
This statement is not accurate. Setting boundaries is an important part of self-care and can help prevent caregiver burnout.
Choice G rationale
This statement is not accurate. Setting boundaries is an important part of self-care and can help prevent caregiver burnout.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg is on a heparin protocol. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["D","E","F"]

Explanation

A client with gout in the left great toe has received a prescription for prednisone 30 mg by mouth to be administered each day. Which symptom is most important for the client to report to the healthcare provider?

The nurse is preparing a dose of teriparatide for a patient. The medication is labeled as “750 mcg/2.4 mL”. How many mL should the nurse administer to deliver a dose of 60 mcg

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Restricted activity is prescribed for a client with Crohn’s disease. What is the primary purpose of the activity restriction?

The nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% dextrose IV for a patient with insulin shock. What is the appropriate method for administering the medication?

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client’s right hand and fingers spasm when taking the blood pressure using the same arm. After confirming the presence of the spasms, which action should the nurse take?