A nurse is delegating tasks to the assistive personnel (AP). The nurse should direct the AP to complete which of the following tasks first?
Deliver a clean voided urine specimen to the laboratory.
Feed a client who has bilateral casts due to upper arm fractures.
Perform blood glucose monitoring of a client who has a prescription for short-acting insulin prior to breakfast.
Obtain an extra box of tissues for a client who is concerned about running out of them.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Delivering a urine specimen to the laboratory is not a priority task, as it does not affect the client's immediate health or safety. This task can be done later or delegated to another staff member.
Choice B reason: Feeding a client who has bilateral casts is an important task, as it helps the client meet their nutritional needs and prevents complications such as pressure ulcers. However, this task is not as urgent as monitoring blood glucose levels, as it can be done within a reasonable time frame without causing harm to the client.
Choice C reason: Performing blood glucose monitoring of a client who has a prescription for short-acting insulin is a priority task, as it determines the dosage of insulin that the client needs to receive. Insulin is a high-alert medication that can cause serious adverse effects if given incorrectly. Therefore, this task should be done first by the AP who has been trained and certified to do so.
Choice D reason: Obtaining an extra box of tissues for a client who is concerned about running out of them is a low-priority task, as it does not affect the client's physical or psychological well-being. This task can be done at any time or delegated to another staff member.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Planning medication doses to occur before meals is a good suggestion to improve the client's nutritional status. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness and fatigue of the voluntary muscles, especially those involved in chewing and swallowing. Taking anticholinesterase medications before meals can enhance muscle strength and coordination, and make it easier for the client to eat and avoid choking or aspiration.
Choice B reason: Restricting drinking fluids before and during meals is not a good suggestion to improve the client's nutritional status. Fluid intake is important for hydration and digestion, and should not be limited unless there is a medical reason, such as fluid overload or heart failure. Drinking fluids before and during meals can also help lubricate the food and prevent dryness or irritation of the mouth and throat.
Choice C reason: Increasing the amount of fat and carbohydrates in meals is not a good suggestion to improve the client's nutritional status. Fat and carbohydrates are sources of energy, but they can also increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease if consumed excessively. A balanced diet that includes adequate protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber is more beneficial for the client's health and well-being.
Choice D reason: Eating three large meals per day is not a good suggestion to improve the client's nutritional status. Eating large meals can be difficult and exhausting for the client with myasthenia gravis, as their muscle strength and endurance may decline over time. Eating smaller and more frequent meals can help maintain the energy level and prevent fatigue or hunger.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Administering an antipyretic is not the next action that the nurse should initiate. An antipyretic is a medication that lowers fever, which is a common symptom of meningococcal meningitis. However, fever is not a life-threatening condition, and it may have some beneficial effects on fighting infection. The nurse should first prioritize other actions that are more urgent or critical for the client's safety and outcome.
Choice B reason: Decreasing environmental stimuli is not the next action that the nurse should initiate. Decreasing environmental stimuli is a nursing intervention that can help reduce agitation, confusion, or seizures in clients with meningococcal meningitis. However, it is not an immediate or essential action, and it may not be effective if the client's condition worsens or progresses to coma.
Choice C reason: Assessing the cranial nerves is the next action that the nurse should initiate. Cranial nerve assessment is a neurological examination that evaluates the function of 12 pairs of nerves that originate from the brainstem and control various sensory and motor functions, such as vision, hearing, smell, taste, facial expression, eye movement, swallowing, speech, and balance. Meningococcal meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningeal inflammation can compress or damage the cranial nerves, causing various signs and symptoms, such as headache, photophobia, diplopia, facial palsy, dysphagia, dysarthria, or nystagmus. Assessing the cranial nerves can help detect any neurological deficits or complications early, and guide appropriate interventions or referrals.
Choice D reason: Completing a vascular assessment is not the next action that the nurse should initiate. A vascular assessment is a physical examination that evaluates the blood flow and circulation in different parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, abdomen, or neck. It may include checking pulses, blood pressure, capillary refill, skin color, temperature, or edema. A vascular assessment may be relevant for some clients with meningococcal meningitis who develop septic shock or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which are serious conditions that affect blood vessels and clotting factors. However, these are not common or early manifestations of meningococcal meningitis, and they require more advanced or specialized assessments and treatments.
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