A nurse is caring for a client with a body temperature of 38°C (100.4°F). Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
Administer antipyretic medication as prescribed.
Encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Monitor vital signs every 4 hours.
Apply a cooling blanket to reduce fever.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Administering antipyretic medication as prescribed is a priority intervention for a client with a body temperature of 38°C (100.4°F). Antipyretics help reduce fever and provide comfort to the patient. They work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are involved in the fever response.
Choice B rationale
Encouraging fluid intake to prevent dehydration is also important, but it is not the priority intervention. Adequate hydration helps maintain fluid balance and supports the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring vital signs every 4 hours is essential for assessing the patient’s condition, but it is not an intervention that directly addresses the fever. It helps track the patient’s response to treatment and detect any changes in their condition.
Choice D rationale
Applying a cooling blanket to reduce fever can be effective, but it is typically used when antipyretic medications are not sufficient or contraindicated. Cooling measures help lower body temperature through conduction and evaporation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Septic shock is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response to infection, leading to vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and hypotension. The patient’s elevated temperature, tachycardia, and hypotension are consistent with septic shock. In septic shock, the body’s response to infection leads to widespread inflammation and impaired tissue perfusion.
Choice B rationale
Hypovolemic shock is caused by a significant loss of blood or fluids, leading to decreased circulating volume and hypotension. While the patient’s hypotension and tachycardia could be consistent with hypovolemic shock, the elevated temperature suggests an infectious process, making septic shock more likely.
Choice C rationale
Cardiogenic shock is caused by the heart’s inability to pump effectively, leading to decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion. While hypotension and tachycardia are consistent with cardiogenic shock, the elevated temperature is not a typical finding. Cardiogenic shock is usually associated with conditions like myocardial infarction or severe heart failure.
Choice D rationale
Neurogenic shock is caused by a disruption in the autonomic pathways, leading to vasodilation and hypotension. It is typically associated with spinal cord injuries or severe head trauma. The patient’s elevated temperature and tachycardia are not consistent with neurogenic shock, making septic shock the more likely diagnosis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The left extrapyramidal tract is involved in motor control, but lesions here would not cause right homonymous hemianopia or inability to move the right arm. These symptoms are more indicative of a lesion in the cerebral hemisphere.
Choice B rationale
A lesion in the right cerebral hemisphere would cause left-sided symptoms, not right-sided. The patient’s symptoms are indicative of a lesion in the left cerebral hemisphere.
Choice C rationale
The cerebellum is involved in coordination and balance, not in causing right homonymous hemianopia or inability to move the right arm. These symptoms are more indicative of a lesion in the cerebral hemisphere.
Choice D rationale
A lesion in the left cerebral hemisphere can cause right homonymous hemianopia and inability to move the right arm. This is because the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and processes visual information from the right visual field.
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