The nurse is caring for a client with herpes zoster virus who reports painful, red blisters that align from the back along the thoracic curvature to the anterior chest. Which intervention is the highest priority for the nurse?
Place wet compresses to ruptured vesicles.
Administer antiviral medications.
Administer narcotic analgesics.
Place the client on contact precautions.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale: Wet compresses help soothe the skin and debride crusts from ruptured vesicles, providing symptomatic relief for the inflammatory skin lesions, but this does not address the primary safety priority.
Choice B rationale: Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, are essential to inhibit viral replication and shorten the duration of the outbreak, yet they do not take precedence over immediate infection control measures.
Choice C rationale: Herpes zoster involves significant neuropathic pain due to nerve inflammation. While pain management is crucial for client comfort, it is considered a lower priority than preventing the spread of infection.
Choice D rationale: Herpes zoster is infectious until lesions have crusted over. The highest priority is preventing transmission to others, particularly those immunocompromised, through strict adherence to contact and potentially airborne precautions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Central line insertion is not indicated for postoperative tenderness and does not address airway compromise or hypocalcemia.
Choice B reason: NGT insertion is unrelated to parathyroid surgery complications and would not be a priority intervention.
Choice C reason: Pacemaker placement is not relevant unless there is a cardiac conduction issue, which is not suggested by the scenario.
Choice D reason: Tracheostomy may be necessary if airway compromise occurs due to postoperative hematoma or swelling. Tenderness in the neck area post-parathyroidectomy can signal early airway obstruction, requiring immediate airway management.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Warming the feet may improve comfort but does not address the critical concern of compromised perfusion.
Choice B reason: Evaluating for pitting edema provides useful data but is not the priority when pulses are absent.
Choice C reason: Elevating the extremities may help reduce edema but could worsen ischemia if perfusion is compromised.
Choice D reason: Using a vascular Doppler to assess pulses is the first step in evaluating perfusion status. Absent pedal pulses post-AAA repair may indicate limb ischemia or thrombosis, requiring immediate assessment and possible intervention.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.