At 0800, the practical nurse (PN) reports to the registered nurse (RN) that a client’s blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg. When the RN arrives to administer the 0900 antihypertensive medication, the client is oriented but lethargic, pale, and diaphoretic. Which action should the RN implement first?
Obtain another measurement of the client’s blood pressure.
Determine what medications the client recently received.
Administer the antihypertensive medication as prescribed.
Consult with the PN about the client’s condition at 0800.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Obtaining another blood pressure measurement is critical, as lethargy, pallor, and diaphoresis suggest hypotension or shock, despite the earlier 140/90 reading. This guides safe administration of antihypertensives, preventing harm, per cardiovascular assessment and medication safety protocols in nursing practice.
Choice B reason: Determining recent medications is important but secondary to assessing current blood pressure, as symptoms suggest acute instability. Blood pressure confirms hypotension risk before reviewing drugs, ensuring timely intervention, per cardiovascular assessment and patient safety standards in nursing care.
Choice C reason: Administering antihypertensives without reassessing blood pressure is unsafe, as lethargy, pallor, and diaphoresis indicate possible hypotension. Confirming blood pressure prevents exacerbating instability, per medication safety and cardiovascular monitoring protocols in nursing practice for clients with hypertension.
Choice D reason: Consulting the PN about the 0800 condition delays immediate assessment of current symptoms. Blood pressure measurement addresses acute lethargy, pallor, and diaphoresis, guiding intervention. Consultation is secondary, per prioritization and cardiovascular assessment standards in nursing care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Strict bedrest is not indicated for urolithiasis, as movement may aid stone passage by shifting ureteral dynamics. Severe flank pain from ureteral obstruction causes muscle spasms. Straining urine collects stones for analysis, identifying composition to guide treatment, making bedrest less critical than addressing the stone.
Choice B reason: Limiting fluid intake is contraindicated, as high fluids promote urine flow, aiding stone passage and diluting urinary solutes like calcium. Pain results from obstruction, and straining urine identifies stone type. Fluid restriction increases stone formation risk, making this harmful and counterproductive to urolithiasis management.
Choice C reason: Straining all urine collects stones for analysis, determining composition (e.g., calcium oxalate) to guide dietary and pharmacological prevention. Severe flank pain from ureteral obstruction highlights the need for stone identification. This addresses the pathophysiological cause, enabling tailored interventions to prevent recurrence and manage acute symptoms.
Choice D reason: A high-calcium diet is inappropriate, as most kidney stones are calcium-based. Dietary calcium moderation, based on stone analysis from straining urine, prevents recurrence. Pain management requires stone identification, not increased calcium intake, which could exacerbate stone formation, making this counterproductive for urolithiasis.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Placing the chair by the bed is preparatory but not immediate after sitting up. Prolonged bedrest risks orthostatic hypotension from reduced plasma volume and baroreceptor sensitivity. Assessing the client’s response ensures stability before transfer, preventing falls, making this less urgent than evaluating for dizziness or hypotension.
Choice B reason: Supporting the client when rising is premature before assessing their response to sitting. Bedrest causes deconditioning, increasing orthostatic hypotension risk, leading to dizziness or syncope. Determining how the client feels confirms cardiovascular stability, preventing falls during transfer due to blood pressure drops.
Choice C reason: Determining how the client feels assesses for orthostatic hypotension, common post-bedrest due to reduced venous return and baroreceptor dysfunction. Dizziness or lightheadedness signals syncope risk during transfer. This ensures cardiovascular stability, prioritizing safety before physical support, addressing physiological changes from prolonged immobility.
Choice D reason: Offering non-skid socks prevents falls during ambulation but is secondary to assessing sitting response. Bedrest heightens hypotension risk, and ensuring the client is not dizzy takes precedence to avoid syncope. Socks are a later safety measure, making this less immediate than evaluating physiological stability.
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