On a hot humid day, a nurse is caring for a client who is confused and presents with these vital signs: temperature 104.1°F (40.1°C), pulse 132 beats/min, respirations 26 breaths/min, and blood pressure 106/66 mmHg.
What action would the nurse take to provide immediate appropriate care?
Encourage the client to drink cool water or sports drinks.
Administer acetaminophen 650 mg orally.
Start an intravenous line and infuse 0.9% saline solution.
Encourage rest and reassess in 15 minutes.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Encouraging the client to drink cool water or sports drinks is appropriate for mild dehydration or heat exhaustion but not sufficient for severe heat-related illness like heat stroke, where immediate medical intervention is needed.
Choice B rationale
Administering acetaminophen 650 mg orally can help reduce fever, but it does not address the underlying issue of hyperthermia and will not provide immediate cooling needed in this emergency.
Choice C rationale
Starting an intravenous line and infusing 0.9% saline solution helps rapidly replace fluids lost through sweating and can stabilize the client's condition by rehydrating and cooling them effectively.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging rest and reassessing in 15 minutes would delay necessary medical treatment in a situation where immediate action is critical due to the severity of the client's symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Joint pain in hands and knees is a common symptom of SLE due to inflammation but is not immediately life-threatening. It requires management but is not the highest priority.
Choice B rationale
A dry, raised rash on the face, such as a malar rash, is common in SLE and should be monitored and treated, but it is not immediately life-threatening.
Choice C rationale
Feelings of depression are serious and need addressing but are not an immediate threat to physical health. Depression is often associated with chronic illnesses and requires comprehensive mental health support.
Choice D rationale
Presence of peripheral edema could indicate renal involvement or cardiac issues in SLE, which can be life-threatening. It is crucial to address this finding urgently to prevent complications such as renal failure or severe cardiovascular events.
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Tachycardia: Heatstroke often leads to an elevated heart rate due to the body's attempt to cool down and compensate for increased body temperature. The heart rate of 120 beats per minute noted in the client is consistent with tachycardia.
Choice B rationale:
Hallucinations: While confusion and disorientation are common symptoms of heatstroke, hallucinations are not typical findings associated with heatstroke. Therefore, this is not a consistent finding for this diagnosis.
Choice C rationale:
Skin is hot, dry: One of the hallmark signs of heatstroke is hot, dry skin, which results from the body's inability to regulate its temperature effectively. The client's skin being hot to the touch and dry aligns with this characteristic.
Choice D rationale:
Bradycardia: This is characterized by a slower than normal heart rate. Since the client presents with a heart rate of 120 beats per minute, which indicates tachycardia, bradycardia is not a finding consistent with heatstroke.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.