The nurse notes old and new ecchymotic areas on an older adult client's arms and buttocks upon admission. The client tells the nurse in confidence that her family members frequently hit her. Which statement should the nurse use in response?
‘’I have a legal obligation to report this type of abuse."
"Let's get these treated, and I will maintain confidence."
"Let's talk about ways to prevent someone from hitting you"
"If this happens again, you must call the emergency department."
The Correct Answer is A
A) "I have a legal obligation to report this type of abuse."
The nurse has a legal and ethical obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults. In many jurisdictions, mandatory reporting laws require healthcare professionals to report suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities (e.g., Adult Protective Services, law enforcement) to ensure the safety of the client.
B) "Let's get these treated, and I will maintain confidence."
While it is essential to provide care for the physical injuries, the nurse cannot promise to maintain confidence in cases of suspected abuse. Confidentiality can be breached in situations where a legal obligation to report abuse exists. Failing to report suspected abuse could jeopardize the client's safety and place the nurse at risk of legal consequences.
C) "Let's talk about ways to prevent someone from hitting you."
This might seem compassionate, but it does not address the legal obligation to report the abuse. The priority should be to ensure the client's safety by reporting the situation to the appropriate authorities. Focusing on preventative measures without reporting the abuse first may imply that the responsibility lies with the client to prevent the abuse, rather than ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable and the client is protected from harm.
D) "If this happens again, you must call the emergency department."
While advising the client to call the emergency department is a reasonable step in cases of immediate harm, it does not address the current abuse or the need for immediate intervention. The nurse's primary responsibility is to report the abuse to the proper authorities and ensure the client's safety.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) A normal finding:
A normal finding during an edrophonium (Tensilon) test is an improvement in muscle strength for clients with myasthenia gravis (MG). If the client becomes weaker after the dose, it indicates that the test results are not typical and suggest a different issue, not a normal response. This is not a normal finding.
B) A myasthenia gravis crisis due to drug undermedication:
In a myasthenic crisis, the client experiences severe weakness and respiratory difficulty, typically due to insufficient medication (e.g., pyridostigmine). While a myasthenic crisis could cause weakness and respiratory distress, the edrophonium test would typically show improvement in muscle strength if the crisis is due to undermedication. Since the client became weaker after receiving edrophonium, this is not indicative of a myasthenic crisis.
C) An allergic reaction:
An allergic reaction to the edrophonium test would typically result in symptoms such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing due to hypersensitivity, but it does not typically cause weakness as the primary response. The worsening of symptoms after the test is more likely related to drug overmedication rather than an allergic reaction.
D) A cholinergic crisis due to drug overmedication:
A cholinergic crisis occurs when there is an overdose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., pyridostigmine or neostigmine), which can lead to excessive acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in muscle weakness and respiratory failure. The edrophonium test helps differentiate between a myasthenic crisis and a cholinergic crisis. If the client becomes weaker after the administration of edrophonium, it suggests a cholinergic crisis due to drug overmedication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Prepare the client for mechanical ventilation:
A myasthenic crisis is a medical emergency characterized by severe weakness of the respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory failure. This can result from insufficient levels of acetylcholine due to insufficient medication (e.g., pyridostigmine) or from an infection. In such cases, airway support is the priority. The nurse should first prepare the client for potential mechanical ventilation to ensure they can breathe properly and to prevent respiratory arrest.
B) Instruct the client to perform pursed-lip breathing:
While pursed-lip breathing is a useful technique to help with shortness of breath and improve ventilation in certain respiratory conditions (like COPD), it is not the first action in managing a myasthenic crisis. The immediate priority is to ensure the client can breathe and maintain oxygenation, which may require mechanical ventilation if the respiratory muscles are too weak to support breathing effectively.
C) Prepare to administer IVIG:
IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) can be used in the treatment of myasthenic crisis by suppressing the immune response and increasing acetylcholine receptor activity. However, IVIG is not typically the first intervention. Respiratory support and stabilization should take precedence, especially if there is significant respiratory distress.
D) Administration of an immunosuppressant:
Immunosuppressive therapy, such as corticosteroids or azathioprine, may be used to manage myasthenia gravis over the long term, but it is not an acute intervention for a myasthenic crisis. The immediate priority in a crisis situation is to manage respiratory distress and ensure airway protection.
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