A patient has an elevated temperature. The nurse assesses the patient and finds the skin flushed and very warm. The patient is oriented to person, place, time, and situation, and expresses severe fatigue. The most appropriate nursing action at this time would be to:

Remove blankets and offer fluids

Increase the patient's activity

Place ice bags on the patient's skin

Decrease the patient's intake

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: When a patient has an elevated temperature, the body is attempting to cool down through vasodilation, which is why the skin may appear flushed and feel warm. Removing excess blankets can help facilitate the body's natural cooling process. Offering fluids is also crucial as fever can lead to dehydration, especially if there is sweating. Adequate hydration helps regulate body temperature and replaces fluids lost through sweating. The normal body temperature range is typically between 36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F). When the body temperature rises above this range, interventions such as removing blankets and providing fluids can be effective in reducing fever.

Choice B reason: Increasing the patient's activity is not advisable when they have an elevated temperature and are experiencing severe fatigue. Activity generates heat and can raise body temperature further, exacerbating the fever. Rest is recommended to conserve energy and reduce metabolic demand, which can help lower the body temperature.

Choice C reason: The use of ice bags can be a rapid cooling measure but must be used with caution. Direct application of ice to the skin can cause vasoconstriction and shivering, which can actually increase the body's core temperature. It is generally reserved for hyperthermia or heatstroke when immediate cooling is necessary. For a simple fever, less aggressive cooling measures are usually preferred.

Choice D reason: Decreasing the patient's intake is not appropriate unless there is a specific contraindication, such as vomiting or risk of aspiration. Adequate nutrition supports the immune system and provides the energy needed for the body to combat the underlying cause of the fever.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Avoiding large amounts of fluids before bedtime can help prevent disruptions in sleep due to the need to urinate during the night.

Choice B reason: Consuming alcohol, even in the form of a glass of wine, just before bedtime can interfere with the sleep cycle and lead to disrupted sleep.

Choice C reason: Engaging in brisk exercise before bedtime can be stimulating and may make it more difficult to fall asleep.

Choice D reason: Performing muscle relaxation techniques in the afternoon can help reduce overall tension but doing them closer to bedtime would be more beneficial for promoting sleep.

A. Place the client in a room with positive airflow. B. Determine whether the client lives alone or with others. C. Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner unless hands are visibly soiled. D. Remind the client to cover her mouth with a tissue when coughing.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Placing a client with active pulmonary TB in a room with positive airflow is not recommended, as positive airflow would push potentially contaminated air into general circulation, risking the spread of TB. Instead, a room with negative airflow is appropriate to contain and remove contaminated air.

Choice B reason: Determining whether the client lives alone or with others is important for public health and contact tracing purposes. If the client lives with others, those individuals may need to be tested and monitored for TB as well.

Choice C reason: Using an alcohol-based hand cleaner is a standard practice unless hands are visibly soiled. If hands are visibly soiled, handwashing with soap and water is necessary.

Choice D reason: Reminding the client to cover their mouth with a tissue when coughing is a key measure to prevent the spread of TB, which is transmitted through airborne particles from coughs or sneezes.

Choice E reason: Antifungal medications are not used to treat TB, which is caused by a bacterium, not a fungus. The client should be instructed about taking anti-tuberculosis medications, not antifungals.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A patient has an elevated temperature. The nurse assesses the patient and finds the skin flushed and very warm. The patient is oriented to person, place, time, and situation, and expresses severe fatigue. The most appropriate nursing action at this time would be to:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about promoting rest and sleep with a client who reports insomnia. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands the teaching?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who was placed on isolation precautions for active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a group of clients on an infectious disease unit. The nurse should wear an N95 respirator when caring for a client who has which of the following disorders?

A nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant who is postoperative following a myringotomy. Which of the following pain assessment scales should the nurse use to determine the infant's pain level?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about healthful sleep habits. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client needs further instruction?

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has insomnia. The nurse should identify that which of the following is likely to disrupt sleep?

Before palpating the abdomen during an assessment, the nurse should do which of the following?

For documenting vital signs, the following documentation made by the nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching:

A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The nurse should include which of the following as a common cause of these infections?

A nurse is caring for a client who reports a state of increasing anxiety and the inability to sleep and concentrate. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?