A nurse is out in public when an individual suddenly falls to the ground with a generalized tonic- clonic (grand mal) seizure.
Which action should the nurse take first?
Place a stick in the person’s mouth to prevent biting of the tongue and call for assistance.
Completely record time of the person’s seizure and save for paramedics.
Restrain the limbs to prevent injury while providing as much privacy for the person as possible.
Loosen the individual’s necktie after placing the person in the recovery position.
The Correct Answer is D
This is because the recovery position helps maintain the airway and prevent aspiration, and loosening the necktie prevents breathing restriction.
The other choices are wrong because:
Choice A is wrong because placing a stick or any object in the person’s mouth can cause injury to the teeth, gums, tongue or jaw and obstruct the airway. The person cannot swallow or bite their tongue during a seizure.
Choice B is wrong because recording the time of the seizure is not the first priority. The first priority is to ensure the safety and comfort of the person.
Choice C is wrong because restraining the limbs can cause injury or fracture, increase agitation and prolong the seizure. The nurse should protect the person from injury by moving furniture away and padding the head.
Normal ranges for seizure duration are usually less than 5 minutes for generalized tonic-clonic seizures and less than 15 seconds for absence seizures. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if the person has repeated seizures without regaining consciousness, it is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A 40-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 138/98 mm Hg should be referred for immediate treatment. This is because this client has grade 1 hypertension according to the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) guidelines, which define hypertension as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or higher in the office or clinic. This client also has a high risk of cardiovascular complications due to their age and elevated DBP.
Choice A is wrong because a 20-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 125/60 mm Hg does not have hypertension. This client has normal blood pressure according to the ISH guidelines, which define normal blood pressure as an SBP of less than 130 mm Hg and a DBP of less than 85 mm Hg in the office or clinic. This client also has a low risk of cardiovascular complications due to their age and low DBP.
Choice C is wrong because a 55-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 142/68 mm Hg does not need immediate treatment. This client has grade 1 hypertension according to the ISH guidelines, but their DBP is normal. The ISH guidelines recommend lifestyle interventions for three to six months before medication in patients with grade 1 hypertension and no comorbidities.
This client may have other risk factors that need to be assessed, such as obesity, diabetes, or smoking, but they do not require urgent referral.
Choice D is wrong because a 70-year-old client who has a blood pressure of 150/78 mm Hg does not need immediate treatment. This client has grade 1 hypertension according to the ISH guidelines, but their DBP is normal. The ISH guidelines recommend a target blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg within three months for patients older than 65 years, and after three months reduce the target to less than 130/80 mm Hg.
This client may have other risk factors that need to be assessed, such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation, but they do not require urgent referral.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should obtain a sputum culture specimen before administering any antibiotics to the client with bacterial pneumonia.
This is because the sputum culture can help identify the causative organism and the appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Administering antibiotics before obtaining the sputum culture can alter the results and lead to ineffective treatment.
Choice B is wrong because azithromycin is an antibiotic that should be given after obtaining the sputum culture.
Choice C is wrong because coughing and deep breathing are important interventions to promote airway clearance and gas exchange, but they are not the priority actions for this client.
Choice D is wrong because offering clear liquids can help prevent dehydration and thin secretions, but they are not the most urgent action for this client.
Normal ranges for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are 7 to 20 mg/dL and for creatinine are 0.6 to
1.2 mg/dL.
Elevated levels of these substances can indicate renal impairment, which can be a complication of bacterial pneumonia.
The nurse should monitor these levels and report any abnormalities to the health care provider.
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