Following a lumbar puncture, a client voices several concerns. Which concern indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing a complication of the procedure?
"I have a headache that gets worse when I sit up."
"I am having pain in my lower back when I move my legs."
"I feel sick to my stomach and am going to throw up."
"My throat hurts badly when I swallow and when I talk."
The Correct Answer is A
A. A headache that worsens upon sitting up is characteristic of a post-lumbar puncture headache, indicating a potential complication related to cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
B. Pain in the lower back after the procedure can be normal and does not necessarily indicate a complication.
C. Nausea and vomiting can occur but are not specific indicators of a complication following a lumbar puncture.
D. Sore throat when swallowing and talking is not typically associated with lumbar puncture complications and may relate to other causes such as anxiety or dehydration.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While hematocrit levels provide information about blood volume status, they are not directly relevant to infection status or wound healing in burn patients.
B. Blood pH levels can indicate acid-base imbalances, but they do not specifically inform the nurse about the presence of infection.
C. Platelet count is important for assessing coagulation and bleeding risks, but it does not provide direct information regarding infection.
D. White blood cell (WBC) count is critical in assessing for infection, as an elevated WBC count can indicate the presence of an infection, particularly in a client with significant burns who is at increased risk for sepsis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Administering opioid and non-opioid medications together is an effective pain management strategy for severe pain. This approach can provide better pain relief by targeting different pain pathways and may reduce the total dosage of opioids needed, thus minimizing side effects.
B. Alternating IV and IM analgesic medications is not the best approach; instead, consistent pain management is necessary to keep pain levels under control.
C. Waiting until the pain score reaches 10 before administering the maximum dosage is inappropriate and could lead to inadequate pain control. Pain management should be proactive, not reactive.
D. While educating the client on narcotic dependency is important, it is not the priority intervention in this acute situation where pain control is essential. The immediate focus should be on effective pain relief.