A client is brought to the emergency department by the family, who state that the client was diagnosed last week with gonorrhea but has not taken the medications yet
Today the family notes that the client is "not acting right" and seems confused. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate? a. Start an IV and notify the health care pro-vider about the client's diagnosis.
b. Perform a thorough neurologic assessment and document the findings.
c. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) if the client has a fever.
d. Ask the client why he or she has not started the medication regimen yet.
A
A rare but possible complication of gonorrhea is meningitis. Because the client has a change in mental status according to the family, the nurse must prepare the client for IV antibiotics to be given as soon as possible. The provider needs to know the diagnosis of untreated gonorrhea to help plan appropriate, rapid care. Conducting a neurologic examination and administering Tylenol are appropriate but do not take priority over initiating appropriate therapy. When the client is stable, the nurse can assess for reasons leading to noncompliance and offer appropriate assistance, such as referral to social services if the client cannot afford medications.
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