A nurse is preparing a care plan for a client with a spinal cord injury. Which of the following is the highest priority for the nurse to implement?
oral care
offering the client to discuss their feelings
diet modifications
application of compression stockings
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Rationale: Oral care is important for overall hygiene but may not take precedence over other critical aspects of care for a client with a spinal cord injury.
Choice B Rationale: Offering the client to discuss their feelings is important for emotional support but may not be the highest priority.
Choice C Rationale: Diet modifications are a high priority because they are essential for addressing the client's nutritional needs and preventing complications related to the spinal cord injury, such as pressure ulcers and infections.
Choice D Rationale: The application of compression stockings may have a role in the care plan but is not typically the highest priority for a client with a spinal cord injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Checking the patient's orientation to time and date is a part of assessing cognitive function but is not specific to the Mini-Cog exam.
Choice B Rationale: Obtaining a list of the patient's prescribed medications is important for the overall assessment but is not specific to the Mini-Cog exam.
Choice C Rationale: Determining the patient's ability to recognize a common object is not a component of the Mini-Cog exam.
Choice D Rationale: Asking the patient to draw a clock with a specific time is a key component of the Mini-Cog exam, which assesses cognitive impairment and is commonly used to screen for Alzheimer's disease.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Rationale: Urinary output is also an important assessment in clients with a C3 spinal cord injury because it helps monitor for urinary retention and potential complications but it is not a priority compared to assessing the respiratory function of this client.
Choice B Rationale: Blood pressure is important to monitor but may not be the top priority assessment in this context.
Choice C Rationale: The nurse should prioritize counting respirations for a client with a C3 spinal cord injury, as this level of injury affects the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm. The client may have difficulty breathing and require mechanical ventilation.
Choice D Rationale: Bowel sounds are important but may not be the priority assessment in this case.
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