An older adult client who reports pain in the arms and back is brought to the emergency department (ED) by an adult child who states the client "fell out of a chair." The nurse notes that the client has been in the ED five times in the last year for a variety of superficial injuries. Which nursing action has the highest priority?
Request social services to make a home visit.
Interview the client privately without the adult child present.
Complete a neurological and musculoskeletal assessment.
Ask the client if an assisted living facility is an option for safety concerns.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Request social services to make a home visit. This is important but not the immediate priority. It can be part of the long-term intervention plan once the immediate safety and health of the client are ensured.
B. Interview the client privately without the adult child present. This is the highest priority. It allows the nurse to assess for potential abuse or neglect without the influence or intimidation of the accompanying adult, ensuring the client can speak freely.
C. Complete a neurological and musculoskeletal assessment. This is important to assess the extent of the injuries and the client's overall physical health, but it follows the immediate need to ensure the client's safety and ability to speak freely about their situation.
D. Ask the client if an assisted living facility is an option for safety concerns. While exploring living arrangements is important for long-term safety, it is not the highest priority. Ensuring the client's immediate safety and obtaining accurate information about their situation takes precedence.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Documenting asymmetrical thoracic movement: While this might be a finding, it's not the most urgent action.
B. Assist the client to a position that helps the client breathe more easily. Sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and abdominal muscle use: These muscles are accessory muscles that help with breathing when the diaphragm and intercostal muscles (primary muscles of respiration) are not functioning optimally. This use suggests laboured breathing. Priority action: The client's respiratory distress is the most pressing concern.
C. Incentive spirometer: This device helps improve lung expansion but is not the first-line intervention in this situation where the client is already struggling to breathe.
D. Encouraging deep breaths: This might further strain the respiratory muscles.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Auscultate the lymph node for the presence of a bruit.
Auscultating for a bruit over a lymph node may not be the most immediate or relevant action in this situation. While it could provide additional information about blood flow, it may not necessarily explain the cause of the enlarged lymph node.
B. Ask the client about any localized tenderness at the site.
This is an appropriate action. Localized tenderness at the site of an enlarged lymph node could indicate inflammation or infection. Gathering information about tenderness can help in understanding the possible cause of the lymphadenopathy.
C. Cover the inflamed area and notify the healthcare provider.
This is a reasonable action. Covering the inflamed area can help protect it from further irritation or infection. Notifying the healthcare provider is important because they can assess the lymph node, gather additional history, and determine if further evaluation or treatment is necessary.
D. Record this normal finding in the assessment record.
This option is incorrect. An enlarged, visible lymph node is not considered a normal finding. It could indicate underlying infection, inflammation, or another health issue. Recording it as a normal finding could lead to overlooking potential health concerns.
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