a client who had a stroke is complaining of left side weakness what should the nurse prioritize

ATI RN

RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment 2019 A with NGN

1. A client who had a stroke is complaining of left-side weakness. What should the nurse prioritize?

A. Initiate physical therapy immediately.
B. Contact the physical therapy team.
C. Reassess the client after administering pain medication.
D. Start treatment immediately without consulting anyone.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to contact the physical therapy team. When a client who had a stroke presents with left-side weakness, the nurse should prioritize coordinating with the physical therapy team rather than immediately initiating physical therapy. The initial step should involve assessing the client's condition and involving the appropriate healthcare team for a comprehensive care plan. Administering pain medication or starting treatment without consulting others can delay or hinder the appropriate care needed for the client's recovery.

2. A nurse is observing a patient's use of a walker. Which observation indicates a need for further teaching?

A. The patient advances the walker too far ahead.
B. The patient uses the walker to assist in standing.
C. The patient maintains their balance while using the walker.
D. The patient walks with their back hunched over.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because advancing the walker too far ahead increases the risk of falls, indicating a need for further teaching. Choice B is correct as using the walker to assist in standing is a proper use. Choice C is correct as maintaining balance while using the walker shows proper technique. Choice D is incorrect as walking with the back hunched over is a posture issue, not directly related to walker use.

3. A healthcare professional is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the most important action to prevent infection?

A. Use sterile gloves during the procedure.
B. Clean the catheter insertion site with alcohol.
C. Insert the catheter as quickly as possible.
D. Use a smaller catheter size to minimize trauma.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Using sterile gloves during catheter insertion is crucial to prevent infection. Sterile gloves help maintain asepsis during the procedure, reducing the risk of introducing microorganisms into the urinary tract. Cleaning the insertion site with alcohol, as mentioned in choice B, is important but not as critical as using sterile gloves. Choice C, inserting the catheter as quickly as possible, is not recommended as it can lead to errors and increase the risk of contamination. Choice D, using a smaller catheter size to minimize trauma, is not directly related to preventing infection but rather focuses on patient comfort and reducing tissue damage.

4. Which of the following best describes a somatic symptom disorder?

A. Client experiences sudden onset of symptoms due to stress
B. Physical manifestations occur due to underlying medical conditions
C. Client has excessive preoccupation with physical symptoms without a medical cause
D. Client avoids medical care due to fear of receiving a diagnosis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by individuals having excessive preoccupation with physical symptoms that may or may not have an identifiable medical cause. Choice A is incorrect because the sudden onset of symptoms due to stress is more indicative of acute stress reaction. Choice B is incorrect as it describes physical manifestations related to known medical conditions, not somatic symptom disorder. Choice D is incorrect as it relates to health anxiety or illness anxiety disorder, where individuals avoid seeking medical care due to fear of receiving a diagnosis.

5. What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing chest pain?

A. Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed.
B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
C. Monitor the patient's blood pressure closely.
D. Encourage the patient to rest in a comfortable position.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin as prescribed. Nitroglycerin helps relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow, addressing the immediate concern of chest pain. Encouraging deep breaths may not be appropriate for chest pain, monitoring blood pressure, although important, is not the priority when the patient is experiencing chest pain, and while resting in a comfortable position is beneficial, administering nitroglycerin is the priority intervention to address the chest pain.