The patient is a 49-year-old male who has been experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever and chest congestion, for 4 days.

He came to the emergency department (ED) last night when his breathing difficulties increased. He has a history of smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years.

He has no significant medical or surgical history.

Which two orders should the nurse prioritize?

Chest x-ray

Run 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour

Sputum culture

Start oxygen 3 L/minute via nasal cannula

Start a peripheral IV

Acetaminophen 350 mg PO every 6 hours for temperature greater than 38.3° C .

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B

Choice A rationale
A chest x-ray is a critical diagnostic tool for a patient presenting with flu-like symptoms, fever, chest congestion, and increased breathing difficulties. It can help identify conditions such as pneumonia or other lung diseases, which could be causing the patient’s symptoms.
Choice B rationale
While hydration is important, running a 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour is not the most immediate need for this patient. The patient’s symptoms are primarily respiratory, and there is no indication of dehydration.
Choice C rationale
A sputum culture could be useful for diagnosing bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. However, it is not the most immediate need for this patient, as the results of a culture test can take time to come back.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Given the patient’s increased breathing difficulties, starting oxygen therapy can help improve the patient’s oxygen levels and ease their breathing.
Choice E rationale

Starting a peripheral IV might be necessary for administering medications or fluids, but it is not the most immediate need in this scenario.
Choice F rationale
While controlling the patient’s fever is important, it is not as immediate a need as performing a chest x-ray and starting oxygen therapy.

Nursing Test Bank

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
If a patient suddenly experiences numbness and weakness on the right side of their body, including their arm and leg, and a distinct droop on the right side of the patient’s face, these are warning signs of a stroke. The nurse’s first course of action should be to initiate two large- bore IV catheters and review the inclusion criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy. This is because rapid administration of fibrinolytic therapy can significantly improve outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Choice B rationale
Continuous observation for transient episodes of neurologic dysfunction is important, but the immediate priority is to prepare for potential fibrinolytic therapy.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees and keeping the head and neck in neutral alignment can be beneficial in certain situations, but it is not the immediate priority in this scenario.

Choice D rationale
Administering aspirin can help prevent further clot formation and platelet aggregation in patients with acute coronary syndrome or those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, in the case of a suspected stroke, immediate medical evaluation and potential fibrinolytic therapy are the priorities.

A. Stabilize the cervical spine. B. Check for a pulse. C. Request an x-ray. D. Assess the respiratory rate. E. Examine the abdomen. F. Ensure the airway is patent.

Correct Answer is ["A","F"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Stabilizing the cervical spine is one of the first actions that should be taken during the primary survey of a trauma patient. This is to prevent any potential injury to the spinal cord, which could result in permanent paralysis.

Choice B rationale
Checking for a pulse is an important part of the primary survey, but it is not one of the first actions that should be taken. The first priority is to ensure that the airway is patent and the cervical spine is stabilized.

Choice C rationale
Requesting an x-ray is not one of the first actions that should be taken during the primary survey. The first priority is to assess the client’s airway, breathing, and circulation, and to stabilize the cervical spine.

Choice D rationale
Assessing the respiratory rate is an important part of the primary survey, but it is not one of the first actions that should be taken. The first priority is to ensure that the airway is patent and the cervical spine is stabilized.

Choice E rationale
Examining the abdomen is an important part of the secondary survey, which is conducted after the primary survey. The first priority during the primary survey is to assess the client’s airway, breathing, and circulation, and to stabilize the cervical spine.
Choice F rationale

Ensuring that the airway is patent is one of the first actions that should be taken during the primary survey. This is to ensure that the client is able to breathe effectively and receive adequate oxygenation.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The client is a 26-year-old female who fell from an apartment balcony. She was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The client enters the emergency room on a stretcher and is met in the trauma bay by the nurse. What two actions should the nurse take first during the primary survey?

Correct Answer is ["A","F"]

Explanation

The nurse notices the presence of clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned to the unit following lumbar spinal surgery. What immediate action should the nurse take?

An adolescent arrives at the emergency department (ED) with a fever and persistent lower right quadrant abdominal pain. The patient is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. What acid-base imbalance does the nurse anticipate the patient will develop?

The nurse is monitoring a patient with Cushing’s disease in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a hypophysectomy. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the patient’s plan of care?

Which assessment finding is most crucial when planning to provide a complete bed bath to a bedfast client?

Mark whether the statements by the new graduate nurse indicate understanding or no understanding of the use of the face mask in the care of this client.