The elderly patient is brought to the ER by ambulance for confusion, slurred speech, and right-sided weakness. Vital signs, including body temperature and blood pressure, are normal. As the patient is waiting for an urgent head CT, the nurse performs which test first?

Point-of-Care (POC) glucose. Several things can mimic the symptoms of stroke. A common set of mimic is migraine, seizures, encephalitis, hypotension, intracranial mass, and metabolic disturbance. A POC glucose is a rapid and efficient way to rule out hypo or hyperglycemia, which could be causing these symptoms. A blood culture is also important to rule out sepsis, but is less of a priority in someone who is afebrile. Chest X-ray and ECG are lower priority.

The elderly patient is brought to the ER by ambulance for co...

NCLEX Practice
Categories
Management of Care
View Question

Category: Management of Care
Difficulty: 9

Topics: Delegation, Prioritization and Leadership Endocrine Neurology Cardiovascular Cognition Health Screening Nursing Interventions

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Additional Management of Care Questions

A nurse is discussing abortion with a distraught pregnant woman. The nurse understands that the patient is most likely struggling with which pair of ethical principles?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 4

A 38-year-old unconscious man with a diagnosis of alcohol intoxication is lying on his back in the emergency department. Suddenly he starts vomiting. Which of the following is the best next step?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 4

Which order does the nurse clarify for the patient in the intensive care unit following a hemorrhagic stroke?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 7

Show Calculator

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Rationale

Additional Management of Care Questions

Nursing Careers

Nursing Degrees

NCLEX