A nurse is caring for a client who has had a traumatic fall. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Administer acetaminophen by mouth for pain control

Perform a thorough health history

Prepare for a STAT non-contrast CT scan

Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Administer acetaminophen by mouth for pain control: While pain management is important, it is not the priority intervention in this situation. Administering acetaminophen for pain control can be done after the client's condition has been assessed and any potential serious injuries, such as head trauma, have been addressed.

B. Perform a thorough health history: Obtaining a health history is essential for understanding the client's baseline health status and any pre-existing conditions that may affect their current condition. However, in the acute phase following a traumatic fall, the priority is to assess and manage any potential life-threatening injuries.

C. Prepare for a STAT non-contrast CT scan: This is the correct answer. In cases of traumatic falls, particularly when there is concern for head injury or intracranial bleeding, obtaining a non-contrast CT scan of the head is a priority. This imaging study helps identify any intracranial injuries such as hemorrhage or skull fractures, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.

D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output: Monitoring urine output is important for assessing renal function, but it is not the priority intervention in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic fall. The focus initially should be on assessing and managing potential life-threatening injuries, particularly those related to head trauma.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. The client develops bradycardia and bradypnea: Bradycardia (slow heart rate) and bradypnea (slow breathing rate) may indicate a slowing down of bodily functions but are not typical manifestations of postoperative shock. In postoperative shock, the body's compensatory mechanisms often lead to tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and tachypnea (rapid breathing rate) as the body tries to maintain perfusion.

B. The client has metabolic alkalosis and warm extremities: Metabolic alkalosis and warm extremities are not typically associated with postoperative shock. In shock, metabolic acidosis is more common due to tissue hypoperfusion, and extremities may become cool due to peripheral vasoconstriction as the body attempts to shunt blood to vital organs.

C. The client has hypertension and anuria: Hypertension (high blood pressure) and anuria (lack of urine output) are not indicative of postoperative shock. In shock, blood pressure typically decreases (hypotension), and oliguria or anuria may occur due to decreased renal perfusion.

D. The client has hypotension and is confused: This is the correct answer. Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a hallmark sign of shock, indicating inadequate tissue perfusion. Confusion may occur due to cerebral hypoperfusion and inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain. Confusion is a late sign of shock and indicates severe compromise of organ perfusion.

A. "l can't get out of bed because the room is spinning." B. "l did feel some fluid dripping from my ear when I laid down." C. "Sometimes I feel slightly dizzy when I am in a loud restaurant." D. "l often feel like I have cotton balls in my ears."

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "I can't get out of bed because the room is spinning": The sensation of vertigo, or the perception of spinning or movement when there is none, is a hallmark symptom of Meniere's disease. This sensation is often severe and can be debilitating, leading to difficulty with balance and mobility. Therefore, the client's statement indicating that they cannot get out of bed due to the room spinning is consistent with manifestations of Meniere's disease.

B. "I did feel some fluid dripping from my ear when I laid down": While fluid leakage from the ear can be a symptom of various ear conditions, such as otitis externa or otitis media, it is not typically associated with Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, rather than fluid leakage.

C. "Sometimes I feel slightly dizzy when I am in a loud restaurant": Feeling slightly dizzy in a loud environment may suggest sensitivity to noise (phonophobia) or a mild form of dizziness such as disequilibrium, but it is not specific to Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease typically presents with severe episodes of vertigo rather than mild dizziness.

D. "I often feel like I have cotton balls in my ears": The sensation of having cotton balls in the ears may indicate a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears, which is a common symptom of Meniere's disease. However, this symptom alone is not sufficient to diagnose Meniere's disease, as it can also occur in other conditions affecting the middle ear, such as eustachian tube dysfunction or otitis media. Additionally, Meniere's disease is primarily characterized by vertigo, not just ear fullness or pressure.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has had a traumatic fall. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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