Which is the highest priority intervention for a patient with diabetic neuropathy who has lost sensation in both feet?
Teach the patient to wear low-heeled, comfortable, supportive footwear at all times.
Encourage the patient to participate in tai chi exercises to promote balance.
Evaluate the patient's blood pressure for orthostatic hypotension.
Instruct the patient to wear a medical alert bracelet that identifies risk for falls.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: This is correct. Teaching the patient to wear low-heeled, comfortable, supportive footwear at all times is the highest priority intervention for a patient with diabetic neuropathy who has lost sensation in both feet. This can prevent foot injuries, ulcers, and infections that can lead to amputation.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Encouraging the patient to participate in tai chi exercises to promote balance is a beneficial intervention for a patient with diabetic neuropathy who has lost sensation in both feet, but not the highest priority. Tai chi can improve muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility, but it does not protect the feet from injury.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Evaluating the patient's blood pressure for orthostatic hypotension is an important intervention for a patient with diabetic neuropathy who has lost sensation in both feet, but not the highest priority. Orthostatic hypotension is a condition where the blood pressure drops when the patient changes position, causing dizziness and fainting. It can be caused by autonomic neuropathy, which affects the nerves that control blood pressure and heart rate.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Instructing the patient to wear a medical alert bracelet that identifies risk for falls is a helpful intervention for a patient with diabetic neuropathy who has lost sensation in both feet, but not the highest priority. A medical alert bracelet can alert emergency personnel of the patient's condition and medications, but it does not prevent falls or foot injuries.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because insisting that the patient remove the bracelet and give it to a family member during surgery is not the most appropriate action of the nurse. This action may violate the patient's right to autonomy, religious freedom, and cultural sensitivity. The nurse should respect the patient's beliefs and preferences and try to accommodate them as much as possible, unless they pose a significant risk to the patient's safety or the surgical procedure.
Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because notifying the patient’s surgeon of the patient’s refusal to remove the bracelet before having surgery is not the most appropriate action of the nurse. This action may imply that the patient is non-compliant or difficult, and may create a conflict between the patient and the surgeon. The nurse should communicate with the patient and the surgeon in a respectful and collaborative manner, and seek a mutually agreeable solution.
Choice C reason: This is the correct choice because calling the operating room staff to determine if the bracelet can stay on during surgery is the most appropriate action of the nurse. This action shows that the nurse is willing to advocate for the patient and to consult with the relevant authorities to find out the best option. The nurse should follow the policies and protocols of the operating room and the infection control guidelines, and ensure that the bracelet does not interfere with the surgical site, the equipment, or the sterile field.
Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because removing the bracelet from the patient's wrist after sedating medication has been administered is not the most appropriate action of the nurse. This action may be considered unethical, dishonest, or disrespectful, as the nurse is taking advantage of the patient's altered mental status and going against the patient's wishes. The nurse should obtain the patient's informed consent before performing any intervention, and should not deceive or coerce the patient.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Cleaning the fixed IV pump and returning it to the floor can cause harm to the patient or the staff if the pump is used again.
Choice B reason: This is correct. Tagging the IV pump and removing it from the area prevents the pump from being used by mistake and alerts the maintenance staff to repair or replace it.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Contacting the IV pump manufacturer is not the role of the nurse. The nurse should report the malfunction to the appropriate person in the facility.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Initiating a work order on the IV pump is not enough to ensure the safety of the patient and the staff. The pump should be tagged and removed from the area as well.
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