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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

Nursing Test Bank

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Evaluating the integrity of the IV insertion site is important, but it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site following a cardiac catheterization.

Choice B rationale

Encouraging the patient to take deep breaths can help with overall comfort and oxygenation, but it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site following a cardiac catheterization.

Choice C rationale

Assessing distal lower extremity capillary refill can provide information about the patient’s overall circulation, but it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site following a cardiac catheterization.

Choice D rationale

Inspecting the femoral site for hematoma formation is the most appropriate action in response to the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site after a cardiac catheterization. Hematoma formation is a potential complication of this procedure and can lead to further complications if not addressed promptly. Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis Explore

A. Frequency that the problem occurs. B. Related personal values. C. Relevance to the situation. D. Past experience with similar problems.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While the frequency of a problem can provide some context, it is not the most important consideration when gathering evidence for evidence-based decision-making. The frequency of a problem does not necessarily correlate with the quality or relevance of the evidence available.

Choice B rationale

Personal values are important in decision-making processes, but they are subjective and can vary greatly among individuals. Therefore, they are not the most important consideration when gathering objective, scientific evidence for evidence-based practice.

Choice C rationale

Relevance to the situation is the most important consideration when gathering evidence. Evidence must be directly applicable to the specific problem and context in order to be useful in informing decision-making. This includes considering the specific characteristics of the patient population, the nature of the problem, and the setting in which care is being provided.

Choice D rationale

Past experience with similar problems can provide valuable insights and context, but it is not the most important consideration. Past experiences are individual and subjective, and what worked in one situation may not work in another. Evidence-based practice requires the use of current, high-quality research evidence, which may or may not align with past experiences.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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