While interviewing a newly admitted older female client, the nurse observes that the client ignores questions asked by the nurse, and speaks loudly to her son who brought her to the hospital. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Stand directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss
Perform a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes.
Begin to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room
Obtain a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Stand directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss:
The client's behavior of ignoring questions and speaking loudly to her son may suggest a hearing impairment. By standing directly in front of the client and asking about any hearing loss, the nurse can assess whether hearing impairment might be contributing to the communication difficulties. This action addresses a potential physiological cause of the observed behavior and allows the nurse to gather essential information to adapt communication strategies effectively.
B) Perform a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes:
While assessing the client's mental status is important, the observed behavior may be more indicative of a communication issue related to hearing loss rather than a cognitive impairment. Therefore, assessing hearing status would be more appropriate as the initial action.
C) Begin to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room:
Orienting the client to her surroundings is important for promoting comfort and reducing confusion, but it may not directly address the observed communication difficulties. Assessing for hearing loss should be prioritized to determine if it contributes to the client's behavior.
D) Obtain a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests:
Conducting Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests may be indicated to assess hearing acuity and differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. However, obtaining a tuning fork and performing these tests should occur after gathering initial information about the client's hearing status through direct questioning. Therefore, assessing for hearing loss should be the first action taken by the nurse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Abduct each hip while the client is supine:
While assessing hip abduction can provide information about hip joint mobility, it may not be the most appropriate initial assessment for hip dysfunction. This action primarily evaluates the range of motion but may not specifically target dysfunction in the hip region.
B) Flex the hip and knee while standing:
Flexing the hip and knee while the client is standing can help assess hip function, particularly in weight-bearing positions. This action can reveal limitations in hip mobility and detect dysfunction such as pain or weakness during movement.
C) Observe balance while the client stands:
Observing balance while the client stands is important for assessing overall lower extremity function, including the hips. However, it may not specifically target dysfunction in the hip region and may provide more general information about mobility and stability.
D) Inspect gluteal folds for symmetry:
Inspecting gluteal folds for symmetry can help identify asymmetry or abnormalities in the hip region, but it may not provide direct information about hip dysfunction. This action is more focused on assessing external appearance rather than functional movement or mobility.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Presents with a hacking nonproductive cough of 6 weeks duration:
This documentation accurately describes the client's symptom of a cough but does not capture the client's expressed concern about the possibility of lung cancer. It is important to document the client's specific concerns and fears.
B) Expresses concern of "lung cancer" symptoms for last 6 weeks:
While this option captures the client's concern about lung cancer, it does not specifically describe the client's symptom of a dry cough. Effective documentation should include both the client's expressed concerns and the associated symptoms.
C) An adult male presents with fears that he has "lung cancer":
This option captures the client's fear of having lung cancer but does not describe the specific symptom of a dry cough that the client is experiencing. Including the specific symptom in the documentation is important for comprehensive assessment and evaluation.
D) Describes having a "body wracking dry cough" of 6 weeks duration:
This option effectively documents both the client's specific symptom (dry cough) and the duration of the symptom (6 weeks), which aligns with the client's expressed concerns. It accurately reflects the client's statement and provides valuable information for the healthcare provider's assessment and management.
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