An older male client is admitted with the medical diagnosis of a possible cerebral vascular accident (CVA). He has facial paralysis and cannot move his left side.

When entering the room, the nurse finds the client's wife tearful and trying unsuccessfully to give him a drink of water.

Which action should the nurse take?

Ask the wife to stop and assess the client's swallowing reflex.

Give the wife a straw to help facilitate the client's drinking.

Assist the wife and carefully give the client small sips of water.

Obtain thickening powder before providing any more fluids.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:

Ask the wife to stop and assess the client's swallowing reflex. Rationale: While assessing the client's swallowing reflex is important, the immediate priority is to provide hydration and comfort to the client, especially if the client is tearful and attempting to drink water. The nurse should assist the wife in providing small sips of water while being cautious and observing the client's ability to swallow safely.

Choice B rationale:

Give the wife a straw to help facilitate the client's drinking. Rationale: Giving the wife a straw may be helpful, but it does not address the client's immediate need for hydration and assistance with drinking. The nurse should actively assist in providing water to the client while assessing the client's ability to swallow safely.

Choice C rationale:

Assist the wife and carefully give the client small sips of water. Rationale: This is the correct answer. The nurse's immediate priority should be to assist the client with hydration. Providing small sips of water while being cautious and observing the client's ability to swallow safely is an appropriate action. This can help address the client's immediate needs for comfort and hydration.

Choice D rationale:

Obtain thickening powder before providing any more fluids. Rationale: While thickening powder may be necessary for clients with swallowing difficulties, it may cause unnecessary delay in providing hydration to the client in distress. The nurse should first provide water and assess the client's swallowing abilities. If thickened liquids are indicated, they can be administered later as per the healthcare provider's orders.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale: While monitoring temperature is important for a client with meningitis to track the resolution of infection, it is not a prerequisite for administering penicillin. It does not prevent life-threatening complications.

Choice B rationale: Assessing the level of consciousness is a critical part of the neurological assessment for meningitis. However, it is not the specific priority action required before administering a first dose of an antibiotic.

Choice C rationale: Penicillin carries a high risk of anaphylaxis. The nurse must verify the client's allergy history to ensure safety, as a previous reaction to penicillin or cephalosporins could lead to a fatal allergic response.

Choice D rationale: While cultures must be obtained before starting antibiotics, this question specifies the provider has already ordered the medication for an identified organism (Streptococcus pneumoniae), implying the diagnostic cultures have already been completed.

A. “The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole has a synergistic effect that inhibits bacterial growth more effectively than either drug alone.”. B. “The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole has an additive effect that reduces the dosage and frequency of administration of each drug.”. C. “The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole has an antagonistic effect that prevents the development of resistance to either drug.”. D. “The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole has a selective effect that targets only the bacteria causing the UTI and spares the normal flora.”.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole has a synergistic effect, which means that the two drugs work together to inhibit bacterial growth more effectively than either drug alone. This combination is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by susceptible bacteria.

Choice B rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole does not have an additive effect that reduces the dosage and frequency of administration of each drug. Instead, it is prescribed as a fixed combination with specific dosages of each drug.

Choice C rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole does not have an antagonistic effect that prevents the development of resistance to either drug. In fact, the combination is chosen because it covers a broader spectrum of bacteria and reduces the likelihood of resistance development.

Choice D rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole does not have a selective effect that targets only the bacteria causing the UTI and spares the normal flora. It affects a wide range of bacteria, including both pathogenic and normal flora.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The provider orders penicillin G IV for this client. Before administering the medication, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who has a urinary tract infection (UTI) about trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The client asks why he needs to take two antibiotics together. What should the nurse say?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with the sexually transmitted infection (STI) syphilis. The client reports having unprotected sex. Which response should the nurse provide?

The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted with recurring migraine headaches. To assess the quality of the client's pain experienced from the migraine headache, which approach should the nurse use?

The nurse is preparing a community outreach program on primary disease prevention. Which topic should the nurse plan to include in this event?

A nurse is administering tetracycline to a client who has acne vulgaris. The client tells the nurse that he usually takes calcium supplements with his meals. How should the nurse respond?

The practical nurse (PN) receives a report of a stable client who experienced partial-thickness burns over 30% of the body surface area (BSA) 3 days ago. Which complication is most important for the PN to anticipate?

A client who is reaching saturation with medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch. Which action by the PN is a priority?

The nurse observes a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is excessively drooling and prepares to suction the client's oral cavity. Which action should the nurse include?