The nurse is caring for a client who fell while walking to the bathroom. Upon transfer to the intensive care unit, the client is provided with a history of vomiting twice. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Complete head-to-toe neurological assessment
Determine client’s last dose of corticosteroids
Determine neurological baseline prior to the fall
Administer a PRN antiemetic as prescribed
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: A head-to-toe neurological assessment is the priority after a fall with vomiting, as it evaluates for traumatic brain injury or increased intracranial pressure. Vomiting may indicate neurological compromise. This assessment guides urgent interventions, as undetected brain injury can lead to rapid deterioration in the ICU.
Choice B reason: Determining the last corticosteroid dose is relevant for managing underlying conditions but not the immediate priority post-fall. Vomiting and potential head injury require neurological assessment first, as brain trauma poses an acute risk, whereas corticosteroid timing is secondary to stabilizing neurological status.
Choice C reason: Determining the neurological baseline before the fall is useful for comparison but not the first action. A current neurological assessment identifies acute changes or injuries post-fall, as vomiting may signal brain injury, making immediate evaluation critical to guide treatment in the ICU.
Choice D reason: Administering a PRN antiemetic controls vomiting, improving comfort, but does not address the underlying cause. Vomiting post-fall may indicate neurological injury, requiring immediate assessment. Neurological evaluation takes precedence to rule out brain trauma before symptomatic treatment with antiemetics.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Age over 40 increases cholelithiasis risk due to reduced gallbladder motility and increased bile cholesterol saturation, promoting gallstone formation. Aging alters bile composition, with higher lithogenic potential, making older adults more susceptible to cholesterol gallstones, a primary type in Western populations.
Choice B reason: Daily walking of 2 to 3 miles reduces cholelithiasis risk by promoting physical activity, which enhances gallbladder motility and reduces bile stasis. Exercise lowers cholesterol levels in bile, decreasing stone formation, making this a protective factor rather than a risk.
Choice C reason: A low-fat diet decreases cholelithiasis risk by reducing dietary cholesterol intake, which lowers bile cholesterol saturation. This promotes healthier bile composition, reducing the likelihood of cholesterol gallstone formation, making it a protective dietary habit rather than a risk factor.
Choice D reason: Male gender is associated with a lower risk of cholelithiasis compared to females, who have higher estrogen levels that increase bile cholesterol. Men have less lithogenic bile, making gender a protective factor, not a significant risk, unlike age-related changes.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Difficulty with urination is not a primary concern for pyridostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor used in myasthenia gravis to enhance neuromuscular transmission. While cholinergic side effects may include urinary urgency, this is not a pre-administration priority compared to oral intake, which affects absorption and efficacy.
Choice B reason: Recent oral intake is critical before administering pyridostigmine, as food can delay its absorption, reducing effectiveness in myasthenia gravis. Taking it 30–60 minutes before or 2 hours after meals ensures optimal plasma levels, improving muscle strength, making this the priority information to obtain.
Choice C reason: Trouble sleeping is not directly relevant to pyridostigmine administration. While cholinergic side effects like diarrhea may disrupt sleep, this is a secondary concern. Ensuring proper timing with oral intake is critical for therapeutic efficacy, as absorption impacts symptom control in myasthenia gravis.
Choice D reason: Unexplained weight loss may indicate myasthenia gravis progression or other issues but is not a pre-administration concern for pyridostigmine. Timing with oral intake directly affects the drug’s pharmacokinetics, ensuring effective muscle strength improvement, making weight loss less urgent to assess before dosing.
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