The nurse is providing care for a patient in status epilepticus. What nursing intervention takes the highest priority?

Maintain a patent airway

Place an intravenous catheter (IV)

Administer diazepam, per order

Insert a nasogastric tube (NG)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Maintaining a patent airway is the highest priority when providing care for a patient in status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency characterized by prolonged or recurrent seizures. It can lead to severe complications, including respiratory distress and hypoxia.
Therefore, ensuring a patent airway is crucial to prevent hypoxia and further brain damage. This involves positioning the patient to prevent aspiration, potentially suctioning the airway, and providing supplemental oxygen as needed.
Choice B rationale
While placing an intravenous catheter (IV) is an important intervention, it is not the highest priority. An IV allows for the administration of medications and fluids, which are necessary in the management of status epilepticus. However, it is secondary to maintaining a patent airway.
Choice C rationale
Administering diazepam or other antiepileptic drugs is a key intervention in managing status epilepticus. These medications help to stop the seizures. However, medication administration should only occur after a patent airway has been established.
Choice D rationale
Inserting a nasogastric tube (NG) may be necessary in some cases to protect the airway or for administering medications or nutrition. However, this is not the highest priority intervention. The first step in managing status epilepticus is always to ensure a patent airway.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["0.9 "]

Explanation

Step 1: We are instructed to administer tobramycin 35mg IM every 8 hours. The available supply is 40mg in a 1 mL vial.

Step 2: We need to find out how many mL’s should the nurse administer. Step 3: We can set up a proportion to solve this.

Step 4: If 40mg is equivalent to 1mL, then 35mg is equivalent to x mL. Step 5: Solving for x gives us x = (35mg ÷ 40mg) × 1mL.

Step 6: Calculating the above expression gives us x = 0.875 mL.

Step 7: Rounding our answer to the nearest tenth, we get 0.9 mL. So, the nurse should administer 0.9 mL.

Correct Answer is ["35 "]

Explanation

Step 1 is to calculate the total daily dosage in milligrams. This is done by multiplying the weight of the client by the ordered daily dosage. So, 70 kg × 25 mg/kg = 1750 mg/day.

Step 2 is to divide the total daily dosage by the number of doses per day to get the dosage per dose. So, 1750 mg ÷ 2 = 875 mg/dose.

Step 3 is to calculate the volume of the dose in milliliters. The supply of Amoxicillin is 125 mg/5 mL, which means there are 125 mg of Amoxicillin in every 5 mL. So, to find out how many milliliters contain 875 mg, we set up a proportion: (125 mg / 5 mL) = (875 mg / x mL). Solving for x gives x = (875 mg × 5 mL) ÷ 125 mg = 35 mL. Therefore, the correct dosage for one dose is 35 mL.

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The nurse is providing care for a patient in status epilepticus. What nursing intervention takes the highest priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

You are instructed to administer tobramycin 35mg IM every 8 hours. The available supply is 40mg in a 1 mL vial. How many mL’s should the nurse administer? Round your answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.

Correct Answer is ["0.9 "]

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["35 "]

Explanation

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