The nurse is caring for a client in the burn unit with burns to the head, neck, chest back left arm and hand following an explosion in their garage. Upon admission, the nurse auscultates wheezes throughout all lung fields and applies oxygen via non-rebreather. One hour later, upon reassessment, the patient is visibly anxious and short of breath, wheezes cannot be heard, lung sounds are decreased, voice is hoarse, and the client is coughing up gray sputum. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation

Place the client in semi-fowler's position and administer albuterol breathing treatment

Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again

Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Notify the physician and anticipate the need for endotracheal intubation
The client is showing progressive airway obstruction due to inhalation injury. The absence of wheezes indicates impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate airway management.

B. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position and administer an albuterol breathing treatment
Albuterol may help bronchospasm, but this client's issue is upper airway swelling, not bronchospasm. Intubation is the priority.

C. Encourage the client to cough, take deep breaths, and then auscultate again
The loss of wheezes suggests airway swelling has worsened, not that secretions are the issue. Immediate intervention is needed.

D. Recommend a medical prescription for guaifenesin and encourage use of incentive spirometry
Guaifenesin and incentive spirometry help with secretion clearance, but they are not the priority in this emergent airway situation.

Nursing Test Bank

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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

A. Bend the client’s head toward their chest is correct because Brudzinski’s sign is tested by flexing the client’s neck and observing for an involuntary flexion of the hips and knees, which suggests meningeal irritation.

B. Ask the client to extend both arms above their head is incorrect; this is not part of the test for Brudzinski’s sign.

C. Place the client in a supine position is correct because the test must be done with the client lying flat on their back.

D. The nurse will place a hand behind the client’s head is correct because the nurse gently lifts the client’s head to assess for involuntary hip and knee flexion.

E. Assist the client to bend their knee 90 degrees is incorrect; knee bending is not required for Brudzinski’s sign but is part of Kernig’s sign testing.

A. Reassure the client that information they share with the nurse is confidential B. Instruct that complementary therapies are rarely helpful C. Assess physical appearance and gait D. Review current medication list including dosage & frequency E. Ask about current alcohol or drug use

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Reassure the client that information they share with the nurse is confidential
Establishing trust and confidentiality is essential in a health interview, especially for clients with neurological deficits who may feel vulnerable.

B. Instruct that complementary therapies are rarely helpful
This statement is not evidence-based and may dismiss patient preferences. Some complementary therapies, such as physical therapy or mindfulness, can be helpful in neurological conditions.

C. Assess physical appearance and gait
Observing physical appearance and gait provides important clues about neurological deficits, such as weakness, ataxia, or tremors.

D. Review current medication list including dosage & frequency
Medication history is critical in neurological assessments, as certain medications (e.g., anticoagulants, anticonvulsants) can impact the client’s condition.

E. Ask about current alcohol or drug use
Alcohol and drug use can contribute to neurological impairment and should be assessed during the history-taking process.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is assessing a client for Brudzinskis sign as part of their neurologic assessment. Which of the following are appropriate actions by the nurse when performing this technique? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

A nurse is performing an initial interview of a client who has a neurologic deficit. Which actions by the nurse are MOST appropriate? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

Which action is safest for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate to the certified nursing assistant (CNA)?

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