A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury. The nurse suspects that the client has autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Raise the head of the bed.
Check the client for a fecal impaction.
Check the client's bladder for distention.
Ensure the room temperature is warm.
The Correct Answer is A
If a nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury and suspects that the client has autonomic dysreflexia, the first action the nurse should take is to raise the head of the bed. This can help to lower the client's blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications such as stroke.
b. Checking the client for a fecal impaction is an important step in identifying and treating the underlying cause of autonomic dysreflexia, but it is not the first action the nurse should take.
c. Checking the client's bladder for distention is an important step in identifying and treating the underlying cause of autonomic dysreflexia, but it is not the first action the nurse should take.
d. Ensuring that the room temperature is warm is not a priority intervention for a client who has autonomic dysreflexia.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The priority intervention for the nurse to implement for a newly-admitted client who has acute osteomyelitis is antibiotic therapy. Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory condition of bone secondary to an infectious process¹. Antibiotics are the primary treatment option and should be tailored based on culture results and individual patient factors.
a. Optimal nutrition and hydration is important but not the priority intervention.
b. Surgical debridement of necrotic tissue may be necessary but is not the priority intervention.
d. Antipyretic therapy may be necessary but is not the priority intervention.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
When contributing to the plan of care for a client to achieve the outcome of functional healing of a fracture, the highest priority nursing intervention to assist in meeting this outcome is to maintain immobilization and alignment for the client. This helps to ensure that the bones are in the correct position to heal properly and can prevent complications such as malunion or nonunion.
a. Promoting independence in activities of daily living for the client is important, but it is not the highest priority intervention for achieving functional healing of a fracture.
b. Providing relief from pain and discomfort for the client is important, but it is not the highest priority intervention for achieving functional healing of a fracture.
d. Providing optimal nutrition and hydration for the client is important, but it is not the highest priority intervention for achieving functional healing of a fracture.
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