An elderly patient has been admitted with a suspected stroke.
The patient has facial paralysis and is unable to move the left side of their body.
Upon entering the room, the nurse observes the patient’s spouse attempting to give the patient a drink of water, but struggling.
What should the nurse’s next course of action be?
Assist the spouse and carefully give the patient small sips of water.
Obtain thickening powder before providing any more fluids.
Ask the spouse to stop and assess the patient’s swallowing reflex.
Give the spouse a straw to help facilitate the patient’s drinking.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Assisting the spouse and carefully giving the patient small sips of water may seem like a compassionate action. However, it could potentially lead to aspiration if the patient’s swallowing reflex is compromised, which is common in stroke patients.
Choice B rationale
While obtaining thickening powder before providing any more fluids can help prevent aspiration in patients with dysphagia, it is not the immediate action the nurse should take. The nurse first needs to assess the patient’s swallowing reflex before deciding on the appropriate intervention.
Choice C rationale
The nurse should ask the spouse to stop and assess the patient’s swallowing reflex. This is the most immediate and appropriate action. Stroke patients often have impaired swallowing reflexes, which can lead to aspiration if not properly managed. By assessing the swallowing reflex, the nurse can determine the best course of action to ensure the patient’s safety.
Choice D rationale
Giving the spouse a straw to help facilitate the patient’s drinking is not the best course of action. Straws can increase the risk of aspiration in patients with impaired swallowing reflexes. The nurse should first assess the patient’s swallowing reflex before deciding on the appropriate intervention.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice C rationale
In a hurricane disaster medical area, drinking water contaminated by sewage is a common source of contamination that could lead to diarrhea. Hurricanes and severe storms often result in flooding, which can contaminate drinking water supplies with sewage and other pollutants. This can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, including those that cause diarrhea. Type 2 diabetes Explore
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A rotator cuff injury could be a possibility given the patient’s age and the nature of the fall. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, and injuries to this area are common in falls where the shoulder takes the impact.
Choice B rationale
A humeral fracture could also be a possibility. The humerus is the bone in the upper arm, and it can be fractured in falls, especially in older adults who may have weaker bones.
Choice C rationale
A concussion could be a possibility given that the patient hit his head on the wall. Symptoms of a concussion can include nausea and fatigue, which the patient is experiencing.
Choice D rationale
A knee sprain could be a possibility given that the patient is experiencing pain in his right knee. Sprains occur when the ligaments, which are the bands of tissue that hold bones together, are stretched or torn.
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