Patient Data
The triage nurse does a rapid assessment of the client.
Click to highlight the data that indicates the client is in need of immediate health interventions.
A 70-year-old female presents to the emergency department (ED) through triage with a noticeable facial droop and garbled speech. After having a few drinks at a local seafood restaurant, the client's husband noticed his wife's speech became difficult to understand.
noticeable facial droop
garbled speech
few drinks at a local seafood restaurant
speech became difficult to understand.
The Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Rationale for correct Choices:
- Noticeable facial droop: Facial drooping is a hallmark sign of a stroke. Early recognition is critical because prompt intervention, such as thrombolytic therapy, must occur within a narrow time window to prevent long-term neurological damage.
- Garbled speech: Slurred or incomprehensible speech (dysarthria or aphasia) is another acute stroke symptom. It indicates potential involvement of the brain's language centers and requires immediate neuroimaging and evaluation.
- Speech became difficult to understand: A sudden change in speech pattern strongly suggests an evolving neurologic event such as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. Timely identification of symptom onset is essential for determining eligibility for time-sensitive stroke treatments like alteplase.
Rationale for Incorrect Choices:
- Few drinks at a local seafood restaurant: While alcohol can cause slurred speech and sea food can result in allergic reaction, the patient reports with symptoms suggestive of a stroke, therefore this is not part of the immediate concerns.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Confirm that the desired effect of the medication has been achieved: Trazodone is prescribed to improve mood and aid sleep, not to enhance cognitive function. Since the caregiver reports improvement in those areas, the medication is achieving its intended therapeutic outcomes.
B. Explain that it may take several weeks for the medication to be effective: While some antidepressants require time to reach full effectiveness, the caregiver already reports improved mood and sleep. There is no indication of delayed onset.
C. Evaluate when and how the medication is being administered to the client: No signs of improper administration or ineffective dosing are indicated. The caregiver's feedback suggests the medication is being given correctly and is having a beneficial effect.
D. Notify the healthcare provider that a change in dosage may be needed: Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease is progressive and not expected to improve with trazodone, so no dosage change is warranted based on this feedback.
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"A"},"F":{"answers":"A"}}
Explanation
Rationale:
- Place client on 2 L/minute oxygen: The client's oxygen saturation is borderline at 94%, and with suspected aortic aneurysm and possible compromise, low-flow oxygen can help ensure adequate tissue oxygenation. This intervention is safe and aligns with the standing PRN order.
- Start 0.9% sodium chloride fluid bolus: Given the client’s low-normal blood pressure and risk for aneurysm rupture, fluid resuscitation may be needed to support perfusion. Carefully titrated fluids are appropriate to maintain hemodynamic stability while awaiting definitive surgical management.
- Ensure surgical consent has been completed: Time is critical in suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture. Preoperative preparation, including confirming surgical consent, should be done early in anticipation of emergent vascular intervention.
- Insert indwelling urinary catheter: This is contraindicated until the aneurysm is surgically managed or ruled out. Inserting a catheter increases intra-abdominal pressure and may worsen an unstable aneurysm. Additionally, unnecessary movement may elevate the risk of rupture in a fragile vessel.
- Document any skin lesions on lower legs: Peripheral vascular disease is often comorbid with aneurysms. Noting skin lesions helps establish a vascular baseline and may inform intraoperative risk or postoperative wound healing considerations.
- Mark pedal pulse sites with a single use marker: Pulse marking is essential preoperatively in vascular cases to monitor distal perfusion post-surgery. Marking now ensures pulses can be quickly located after potential surgical repair of the aneurysm.
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