Author Question: A 70-year-old female patient with left-sided hemiparesis arrives by ambulance to the emergency ... (Read 80 times)

jayhills49 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A 70-year-old female patient with left-sided hemiparesis arrives by ambulance to the emergency department. Which action should the nurse take first?

a. Monitor the blood pressure.
b. Send the patient for a computed tomography (CT) scan.
c. Check the respiratory rate and effort.
d. Assess the Glasgow Coma Scale score.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned after having left carotid artery angioplasty and stenting. Which assessment information is of most concern to the nurse?

a. The pulse rate is 102 beats/min.
b. The patient has difficulty speaking.
c. The blood pressure is 144/86 mm Hg.
d. There are fine crackles at the lung bases.

Natalie4ever · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The initial nursing action should be to assess the airway and take any needed actions to ensure a patent airway. The other activities should take place quickly after the ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation) are completed.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Small emboli can occur during carotid artery angioplasty and stenting, and the aphasia indicates a possible stroke during the procedure. Slightly elevated pulse rate and blood pressure are not unusual because of anxiety associated with the procedure. Fine crackles at the lung bases may indicate atelectasis caused by immobility during the procedure. The nurse should have the patient take some deep breaths.