An older adult client is admitted to the stroke unit after recovery from the acute phrase of an ischemic cerebral vascular accident (CVA). Which intervention(s) should the nurse include in the plan of care during convalescence and rehabilitation? (Select all that apply.)
Place a bedside commode next to bed.
Measure neurological vital signs every 4 hours.
Suction oral cavity every 4 hours.
Encourage family to participate in the client's care.
Play classical music in room while client is
Correct Answer : A,B,D
The correct answer is a. Place a bedside commode next to bed., b. Measure neurological vital signs every 4 hours., d. Encourage family to participate in the client’s care.
Choice A rationale:
Placing a bedside commode next to the bed helps prevent falls and promotes independence in toileting, which is crucial for stroke patients who may have mobility issues.
Choice B rationale:
Measuring neurological vital signs every 4 hours is essential to monitor for any changes in the patient’s condition, which can help in early detection of complications.
Choice C rationale:
Suctioning the oral cavity every 4 hours is not typically necessary unless the patient has specific issues with swallowing or secretion management. Routine suctioning can also cause discomfort and potential injury.
Choice D rationale:
Encouraging family to participate in the client’s care provides emotional support and helps in the rehabilitation process. Family involvement can improve the patient’s motivation and adherence to the rehabilitation plan.
Choice E rationale:
Playing classical music in the room can be soothing and beneficial for some patients, but it is not a standard intervention for stroke rehabilitation. The effectiveness of music therapy can vary based on individual preferences.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect- While providing comfort measures like blankets and warm drinks can help the client feel more comfortable, they do not address the underlying thyroid hormone imbalance.
B) Incorrect- Hemoglobin level is not directly related to the client's symptoms or the thyroid hormone imbalance. Monitoring hemoglobin is important in assessing anemia but is not the priority in this case.
C) Correct- The client's symptoms (raspy voice, cold intolerance, fatigue) along with an elevated TSH and low T3 and T4 levels suggest hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. Administering the prescribed dose of levothyroxine is crucial to address the thyroid hormone imbalance and alleviate the symptoms.
D. Incorrect- Non-pitting edema is not a common symptom of hypothyroidism. The client's symptoms and lab results are more indicative of hypothyroidism, and addressing the thyroid hormone imbalance is the priority.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is Choice D
Choice A rationale: Splinting with a pillow may reduce discomfort during movement or coughing by stabilizing the incision site, but it does not address acute postoperative pain with sympathetic overdrive. The elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure suggest a stress response mediated by catecholamines. Without analgesia, nociceptive signals continue to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. While splinting is supportive, it lacks the pharmacologic efficacy needed to blunt nociceptive transmission at the spinal or supraspinal level.
Choice B rationale: Assessing IV patency is a procedural prerequisite for medication administration but not a therapeutic intervention in itself. It does not directly address the pathophysiology of acute pain or the sympathetic surge evidenced by tachycardia and hypertension. Pain activates ascending pathways via A-delta and C fibers, requiring pharmacologic blockade. IV access assessment is necessary but secondary to the urgent need for analgesia to prevent complications like hypoxia, hyperventilation, or delayed recovery.
Choice C rationale: High Fowler positioning may improve diaphragmatic excursion and reduce pulmonary complications, but it does not mitigate visceral or incisional pain. In fact, increased intra-abdominal pressure from upright posture may exacerbate pain at the surgical site. Pain perception involves central sensitization and peripheral nociceptor activation, which are unaffected by positioning. The client’s pale skin and elevated vitals indicate systemic distress requiring analgesic intervention, not postural adjustment. Thus, this choice lacks direct analgesic benefit.
Choice D rationale: IV analgesics act rapidly to inhibit nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord and brainstem levels. Opioids bind to mu receptors, reducing neurotransmitter release and hyperpolarizing neurons, thereby dampening pain signals. This intervention directly targets the physiologic cause of elevated heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Normal heart rate is 60–100 bpm, respiratory rate 12–20 breaths/min, and BP <120/80 mmHg. Prompt analgesia prevents complications like hypoxia, delayed healing, and neuroendocrine stress
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