A patient with left-sided weakness that started 60 minutes earlier is admitted to the emergency department and diagnostic tests are ordered. Which test should be done first?

Complete blood count (CBC)

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Chest radiograph (chest x-ray)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A) "Complete blood count (CBC)":
. A CBC can provide important information about the patient's overall health, including potential signs of infection, anemia, or other underlying conditions. However, in the context of acute neurological symptoms such as left-sided weakness, CT scan is the priority test because it will help quickly determine if there is an acute neurological event, such as a stroke or hemorrhage. While a CBC might be useful later to assess for underlying
conditions or potential causes, it is not the first test to perform in this scenario.

B) "Electroencephalogram (EEG)":
. An EEG is primarily used to diagnose and assess seizure activity or epileptic disorders. While seizures can cause neurological deficits, the patient's sudden onset of left-sided weakness is more suggestive of a stroke, not a seizure. The priority is to rule out stroke with a CT scan, not to assess for seizures with an EEG.

C) "Computed tomography (CT) scan":
. A CT scan is the first diagnostic test to perform in patients with acute neurological deficits such as sudden-onset weakness, especially when a stroke is suspected. A CT scan can quickly detect if the cause is an ischemic stroke (lack of blood flow due to a clot) or a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). Time is critical in the management of stroke, as early intervention with treatments like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) for ischemic stroke can greatly improve outcomes. The CT scan can help determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolysis or if other interventions are needed.

D) "Chest radiograph (chest x-ray)":
. While a chest x-ray can be useful for diagnosing respiratory issues, such as pneumonia or congestion, it is not helpful in evaluating the cause of acute neurological symptoms like left-sided weakness. The priority test is a CT scan to evaluate the brain and rule out conditions like stroke or hemorrhage, not a chest x-ray.

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

A. "Promptly change out of wet clothing such as bathing suits after use":
This is a key recommendation for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in women. Wet clothing, such as swimsuits or damp exercise clothes, creates a warm, moist environment that encourages bacterial growth, particularly in the genital and perineal areas. Changing out of wet clothing promptly helps reduce the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract, which is an important preventive measure for recurrent UTIs.

B. "Buy synthetic underwear rather than cotton fabric":
This statement is incorrect. Cotton underwear is recommended because it is breathable and helps keep the genital area dry, reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth. Synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, trap moisture and heat, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive, increasing the risk of UTIs. Therefore, wearing cotton underwear is advised rather than synthetic fabric.

C. "Be sure to empty your bladder every 6-8 hours":
This recommendation is somewhat inaccurate. To prevent UTIs, it is essential to empty the bladder more frequently than every 6-8 hours, especially if the person feels the urge to urinate. Holding urine for long periods can increase the risk of bacterial growth in the urinary tract. It is generally recommended to urinate at least every 3-4 hours during the day to prevent urine stagnation and reduce the risk of infection.

D. "Try to drink 500-1000 ml of fluid per day":
This fluid intake recommendation is too low. To prevent UTIs, a higher fluid intake is necessary—typically 2-3 liters (2000-3000 mL) of fluid per day. Adequate hydration helps ensure frequent urination, which flushes out bacteria from the urinary tract. Consuming only 500-1000 mL of fluid per day is insufficient and would likely increase the risk of UTIs due to less frequent urination and less flushing of the urinary system.

A. Pernicious anemia B. Hemolytic anemia C. Iron deficiency anemia D. Aplastic anemia

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Pernicious anemia:
Vitamin B12 injections are most commonly used to treat pernicious anemia, which is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12 due to an inability to absorb the vitamin from the gastrointestinal tract. This condition is often associated with a lack of intrinsic factor, a protein required for vitamin B12 absorption. As a result, the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells, leading to anemia. The treatment of pernicious anemia typically involves lifelong vitamin B12 injections, making this the correct answer.

B) Hemolytic anemia:
It is not typically treated with vitamin B12 injections. Instead, hemolytic anemia may require treatments that address the underlying cause of red blood cell destruction, such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy, or splenectomy, depending on the type of hemolysis. Therefore, vitamin B12 would not be the primary treatment for this type of anemia.

C) Iron deficiency anemia:
It is typically treated with iron supplements, either orally or intravenously, rather than vitamin B12. While both conditions cause anemia, the treatment for iron deficiency anemia is not vitamin B12, so this is not the correct choice.

D) Aplastic anemia:
This condition is usually treated with treatments such as bone marrow stimulants, blood transfusions, or bone marrow transplantation, rather than vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 supplementation would not be indicated for the treatment of aplastic anemia.

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 with left-sided weakness that started 60 minutes earlier is admitted to the emergency department and diagnostic tests are ordered. Which test should be done first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is educating a female client about reducing the recurrence of urinary tract infections. Which of the following statements should pre nurse make?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to administer a shot of vitamin B12 to a client with low hemoglobin. The nurse knows that this medication is most indicative of which type of anemia?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client who following prescribed multiple medications for recurring urinary tract infections tells the nurse that her urine has turned red-orange. Which of the following prescribed medications does the nurse suspect is responsible for this change?

The nurse is caring for client who presented to the emergency department for chest pain. The nurse knows that which of the following laboratory tests is most specific for myocardial damage?

The nurse is reading the results of an arterial blood gas showing pH 7.52, CO2 25, and HCO3- 24. The nurse interprets this as which of the following

A nurse is caring for a client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A nurse is caring for a client who had IV fluids initiated at 0330. The IV fluids are infusing at 120 mL/hr. The nurse should record how many mL of IV fluids on the intake record at 0600?