A nurse is caring for a client who has quadriplegia due to a spinal cord injury and reports having a severe headache. The nurse obtains a blood pressure reading of 210/108 mm Hg and suspects the client is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. What should the nurse prioritize as the initial action?
Lower the client's legs.
Check for a full bladder.
Administer a nitrate antihypertensive.
Administer pain medication.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Lowering the client's legs is not effective in managing autonomic dysreflexia and may not alleviate the cause of the high blood pressure.
B. Checking for a full bladder is the priority because bladder distension is a common trigger for autonomic dysreflexia in clients with spinal cord injuries, and relieving it can reduce the severe hypertensive response.
C. Antihypertensives may be used if non-pharmacological measures fail, but addressing the cause is the first action.
D. Pain medication is not indicated as the immediate intervention for autonomic dysreflexia, as the priority is identifying and removing the trigger.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Hormone replacement is generally used to supplement deficiencies rather than inhibit excess hormone release.
B. Dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine, are used to inhibit the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary, which is beneficial in treating acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone.
C. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement and is not effective in controlling pituitary hormone release.
D. Corticosteroids do not inhibit growth hormone release and are typically used to manage inflammation rather than for pituitary hormone control.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Weight gain is not a symptom of hyperthyroidism; in fact, patients often experience weight loss.
B. Beta blockers are commonly used to manage symptoms of tachycardia and palpitations associated with hyperthyroidism, as they help to decrease heart rate and reduce anxiety.
C. Weight loss is a typical symptom of hyperthyroidism, and beta blockers do not address this issue directly.
D. Depression is not a primary indication for beta blocker use in hyperthyroidism; instead, they are more focused on managing the cardiovascular symptoms associated with the condition.