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.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Antiviral therapy is typically used to treat viral infections. However, meningitis is most commonly caused by bacteria. Therefore, antiviral therapy would not be the most effective treatment in this case.
Choice B rationale
Antibiotic therapy is the standard treatment for bacterial meningitis. The specific antibiotic or combination of antibiotics used depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Therefore, after reviewing lab results that suggest meningitis, the nurse would anticipate the provider to prescribe antibiotic therapy.
Choice C rationale
Antiemetics are medications that help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, which can be symptoms of meningitis, but they do not treat the underlying cause of meningitis.
Choice D rationale
Analgesics are used to relieve pain. While they might be used to manage the headache often associated with meningitis, they would not treat the infection itself.

Correct Answer is ["4 "]

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to administer 40 mg of furosemide intravenously. The available furosemide is 10 mg/1 mL.

Step 1 is: Calculate the dose in mL using the formula: (Desired dose ÷ Available dose) × Volume.

Step 2 is: Substitute the given values into the formula: (40 mg ÷ 10 mg) × 1 mL = 4 mL. The nurse should administer 4 mL per dose.

View Question and Answer

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

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

The nurse is caring for a client who is suspected of meningitis. After reviewing lab results, the nurse will anticipate that the provider will prescribe which medications to treat the meningitis?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer 40 mg of furosemide intravenously. The available furosemide is 10 mg/1 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.

Correct Answer is ["4 "]

Explanation

The nurse is providing patient education to a patient with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their family. The patient has been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride. What should the nurse explain to the patient and family about this drug?

The patient with glaucoma is usually started on the lowest dose of medication. Which of the following is the preferred initial ophthalmic medication?

In the context of an initial assessment for a client admitted to rule out Guillain-Barre syndrome, which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to observe?

A client is newly diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). What instruction should the nurse provide?

The nurse is caring for a client who is in status epilepticus. What medication should the nurse anticipate administering to halt the seizure immediately?

A patient is being evaluated for hearing loss. The doctor is unable to examine the tympanic membrane due to a blockage caused by cerumen. What actions can the nurse take to allow for an examination?

A nurse is conducting an assessment on a patient diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following symptoms is the nurse likely to observe?

The nurse is providing discharge education to a patient newly diagnosed with Ménière’s disease. What food should the patient be instructed to limit or avoid?