The nurse is caring for a client who experienced a stroke in the right hemisphere of the brain. What should the nurse do to ensure the safety of the patient?

Choice A rationale
Postoperative delirium is a common condition that can occur in older patients after surgery, especially major procedures like hip arthroplasty. It is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion and altered consciousness. This type of delirium is indeed treatable and most patients’ cognition will return to its previous levels. The treatment often involves addressing the underlying causes, such as pain, medication effects, or metabolic imbalances, and providing supportive care. It’s important for the family to understand that this is a temporary condition and does not indicate a permanent change in their loved one’s mental status.
Choice B rationale
While anesthetics can contribute to postoperative delirium, the condition is usually multifactorial and not solely due to the anesthetic used in surgery. Therefore, administering antidotes to the anesthetic is not typically how postoperative delirium is managed. Instead, the focus is on treating the underlying causes and providing supportive care.
Choice C rationale

Delirium does involve a disturbance in cognition, including memory impairment, but it does not involve a progressive decline in memory loss and overall cognitive function. That description is more characteristic of dementia, a different condition. Delirium is typically a temporary condition that improves once the underlying cause is addressed.
Choice D rationale
While postoperative delirium is often self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own over time, it is not accurate to say there is nothing to worry about. Postoperative delirium can be distressing for the patient and their family, and in some cases, it can be associated with longer hospital stays and increased morbidity. Therefore, it is a condition that should be taken seriously and managed appropriately.

Choice A rationale
If a patient is suspected of having meningitis, the provider will likely prescribe antibiotic therapy after reviewing the lab results. Meningitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, and antibiotics are the primary treatment. The specific antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Choice B rationale
Antiemetics are medications that help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. They are not typically used as the primary treatment for meningitis.
Choice C rationale

Analgesics are medications that relieve pain. While they may be used to help manage symptoms in a patient with meningitis, they are not used to treat the underlying infection.
Choice D rationale
Antiviral therapy may be used if the meningitis is caused by a viral infection. However, most cases of meningitis are caused by bacteria, and antibiotics are the primary treatment.