A patient being admitted with bacterial meningitis has a temperature of 102.5° F (39.2° C) and a severe headache. Which order for collaborative intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Administer ceftizoxime (Cefizox) 1 g IV.
b. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg PO.
c. Use a cooling blanket to lower tempera-ture.
d. Swab the nasopharyngeal mucosa for cul-tures.
ANS: D
Antibiotic therapy should be instituted rapidly in bacterial meningitis, but cultures must be done before antibiotics are started. As soon as the cultures are done, the antibiotic should be started. Hypothermia therapy and acetaminophen administration are appropriate but can be started after the other actions are implemented.
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A nurse will be prepared to administer naloxone (Narcan) to a patient who has had an overdose of morphine. Repeated doses of Narcan will be necessary because Narcan
A) has less strength in each dose than do individual doses of morphine. B) has a shorter half-life than morphine. C) combined with morphine, increases the physiologic action of the morphine. D) causes the respiratory rate to decrease.
Because of rapid turnover and the ongoing hiring of new graduates, the skill levels of staff in a busy CCU are varied. Senior staff are becoming burned out with the need to provide mentorship and guidance to new staff. As the manager, you propose the addition of a nurse in advanced practice to provide consultation and education for staff. This position is termed a(n):
a. Hierarchical position. b. Ancillary. c. Line position. d. Staff position.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has rheumatoid arthritis and who is receiving infliximab (Remicade) IV every 8 weeks. Which laboratory test will the nurse anticipate that this patient will need?
a. Calcium level b. Complete blood count c. Electrolytes d. Potassium
A group begins the working phase. One member has a childhood history of neglect and ridicule by parents. Which comment would the group leader expect from this member?
a. "My boss is always expecting more of me than the others, but talking to him would only make it worse." b. "I'm sorry for talking all the time, but there is so much going on in my life. I can't remember what I already said." c. "Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Maybe some of them will help. It won't hurt to give them a try." d. "This group is stupid. Nobody here can help anybody else because we are all so confused. It's a waste."