A patient is brought to the emergency department after falling from a ladder and is exhibiting signs of confusion and disorientation.

The spouse reports that the patient seemed to have lost consciousness.

The nurse has been provided with a list of current medications and healthcare power of attorney.

When reporting to the healthcare provider using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication, which information should the nurse provide first?

The patient’s currently prescribed medications.

The increasing confusion of the patient.

The patient’s healthcare power of attorney.

The fall from a ladder as the reason for admission.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
While it’s important to know the patient’s current medications as they can influence the patient’s condition and treatment plan, this information is not the most critical to convey first in this situation.
Choice B rationale
The increasing confusion of the patient is a significant symptom, especially after a fall. It could indicate a possible head injury. However, the cause of the confusion (the fall) should be communicated first.
Choice C rationale
Knowing who holds the patient’s healthcare power of attorney is important, especially if the patient’s condition worsens and decisions need to be made on their behalf. However, this information is not the most critical to convey first.
Choice D rationale
The fall from a ladder as the reason for admission is the most important information to provide first. This gives the healthcare provider immediate context about the potential severity and type of injuries, guiding further assessment and treatment.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Heparin is an anticoagulant medication that prevents the formation of blood clots. One of the most common and serious side effects of heparin therapy is bleeding. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to observe for signs of bleeding, such as bruising, petechiae, hematomas, black tarry stools, hematuria, and changes in mental status. Regular laboratory monitoring of the client’s coagulation status, specifically the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), is also necessary to ensure therapeutic levels of heparin without causing excessive bleeding.

Choice B rationale

While mobilization can help prevent the formation of new clots, it is not the most important intervention for a client who is already on a heparin protocol for DVT. Mobilization can potentially dislodge the existing clot, leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Choice C rationale

Although it is important to monitor vital signs in all clients, assessing blood pressure and heart rate every 4 hours is not the most important intervention for a client on a heparin protocol.

Changes in blood pressure and heart rate are not specific to heparin therapy and do not provide direct information about the effectiveness or side effects of the medication.

Choice D rationale

Measuring each calf’s girth can help evaluate the progression of edema in the affected leg, but it is not the most important intervention for a client on a heparin protocol. While it can provide information about the local effects of the DVT, it does not address the systemic anticoagulation effects of heparin therapy.

A. Pay close attention to the client’s account of the event. B. Report the incident to the university’s security department. C. Prevent the client from showering until all evidence is collected. D. Ascertain the client’s personal reaction to the reported rape.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Paying close attention to the client’s account of the event is important, but it is not the most crucial intervention. The nurse should listen empathetically and nonjudgmentally to the client’s account, but this should not take precedence over ensuring the client’s physical well- being and preserving evidence.
Choice B rationale

Reporting the incident to the university’s security department is not the most crucial intervention. While it is important to report the incident to the appropriate authorities, the nurse’s primary responsibility is to the client. Ensuring the client’s physical well-being and preserving evidence should take precedence.
Choice C rationale
Preventing the client from showering until all evidence is collected is the most crucial intervention. Showering can destroy valuable physical evidence that can be used in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
Choice D rationale
Ascertaining the client’s personal reaction to the reported rape is important, but it is not the most crucial intervention. The nurse should provide emotional support and refer the client to counseling services, but this should not take precedence over ensuring the client’s physical well-being and preserving evidence.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg is on a heparin protocol. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse in the emergency department is collecting evidence for a rape kit from a woman who reports that she was raped while returning to her dormitory from the university library. Which intervention is most crucial for the nurse to implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client’s blood pressure cannot be measured in the arms because the client has casts on both arms and is unable to be measured in the legs because the client is in the supine position. Which action should the nurse implement?

What action should the school nurse take to provide secondary prevention for school-aged children?

The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which of these prescribed medications places the client at risk for cardiogenic shock?

The nurse is preparing a client with breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing. Which pathophysiological process should the nurse use to support client teaching?

The nurse is about to administer a histamine 2-receptor antagonist to a patient with peptic ulcer disease. What is the primary purpose of this class of medication?