The nurse has identified several diagnoses for a client in the hospital. Which problems should the nurse identify as having highest priority?
Problems that cause severe discomfort to the client
Problems the client deems most important
Problems that are immediately life-threatening for the client
Problems that are identified as priority by the physician
The Correct Answer is C
A) Problems that cause severe discomfort to the client: While addressing discomfort is important in providing holistic care, it is not the highest priority in nursing. The nurse’s primary focus should be on life-threatening issues or those that could deteriorate the client’s condition rapidly. Severe discomfort can be managed once immediate threats to life are addressed.
B) Problems the client deems most important: Although it’s essential to consider the client’s perspective and involve them in their care plan, problems that are most important to the client may not always be the most urgent or life-threatening. For example, the client may prioritize pain management, but addressing life-threatening issues must always take precedence.
C) Problems that are immediately life-threatening for the client: This is the correct answer. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the nursing prioritization framework, life-threatening problems should always be the nurse's first priority. These are issues that, if not addressed immediately, can lead to death or severe complications. For instance, airway obstruction, severe bleeding, or shock would require immediate intervention.
D) Problems that are identified as priority by the physician: While the physician’s orders and priorities should be taken into consideration, the nurse must independently assess and prioritize care based on the overall health status of the client. This includes using clinical judgment to identify life-threatening conditions, even if they are not explicitly stated in the physician’s orders. Nurses are trained to identify priority issues through their assessments and are responsible for making decisions that ensure the client’s safety.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) 90 degrees: For intramuscular (IM) injections, including in the ventrogluteal site, the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle to ensure that the medication is deposited deep into the muscle tissue. This angle allows the needle to penetrate the skin and subcutaneous tissue directly into the muscle where it can be absorbed efficiently. The ventrogluteal site, being a large and well-muscled area, is ideal for IM injections because it is less likely to cause damage to nerves or blood vessels, and a 90-degree angle ensures proper placement of the medication.
B) 45 degrees: A 45-degree angle is commonly used for subcutaneous injections which go into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. This angle ensures that the medication is delivered into the correct layer of tissue, allowing for slow absorption. However, when administering an IM injection, a 45-degree angle would not be deep enough to reach the muscle and could result in improper placement, potentially affecting the medication's effectiveness and increasing the risk of irritation at the injection site.
C) 15 degrees: A 15-degree angle is far too shallow for an intramuscular injection and is typically used for intradermal injections, where the medication is injected just beneath the skin into the dermal layer. Using such a shallow angle for an IM injection would likely cause the needle to remain in the subcutaneous tissue, preventing the medication from reaching the muscle layer and significantly reducing its effectiveness.
D) 60 degrees: A 60-degree angle is too steep for intramuscular injections. At this angle, the needle may not effectively reach the muscle tissue and could cause the medication to be injected too superficially into the subcutaneous layer. This would not allow for proper absorption of the drug and may lead to irritation or a delayed therapeutic effect.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Cut the 50 mcg/hr patch in half to obtain 25 mcg/hr dosing: Cutting a fentanyl patch in half is not recommended because it can lead to inconsistent dosing. The patches are designed to release medication at a controlled rate, and cutting them could cause the medication to be released too quickly or unevenly, which could result in overdose or insufficient relief of pain. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and avoid altering the patch.
B) Ask pharmacy to send a 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch: The best course of action is to ask the pharmacy to send the correct 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch. This ensures that the patient receives the prescribed dose in the most accurate and safe manner. The 25 mcg/hr patch is formulated to deliver the correct amount of medication, and it will avoid any risk associated with altering the patch.
C) Contact the healthcare provider and request to increase the dose to 50 mcg/hr: Requesting an increase in the dose is premature without a clear justification from the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider decreased the dose to 25 mcg/hr for a reason, possibly due to side effects, effectiveness, or other clinical factors. Altering the prescribed dose without a proper review would be inappropriate. The nurse should follow the current prescribed dose and resolve the issue by requesting the correct patch from the pharmacy.
D) Remove the previous patch and apply the 50 mcg/hr patch in a different location: Switching to the 50 mcg/hr patch without approval could lead to administering an incorrect dose of fentanyl, which can increase the risk of overdose or severe side effects like respiratory depression. The nurse should adhere to the prescribed 25 mcg/hr dose and request the correct patch from the pharmacy rather than substituting with a higher dose patch.
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