What is the first step in the care of a client with a severe allergic reaction?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer epinephrine. This is the first step in the care of a client with a severe allergic reaction because epinephrine is the primary medication used to reverse the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine acts quickly to constrict blood vessels, relax smooth muscles in the lungs to improve breathing, and increase heart rate. Administering epinephrine promptly can prevent progression to severe outcomes like respiratory failure or shock. Corticosteroids (B and C) are used as adjunct therapy and do not provide immediate relief. Applying a cold compress (D) does not address the systemic effects of anaphylaxis and can delay potentially life-saving treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial in treating sepsis as they help to fight the underlying infection causing the condition. Administering antibiotics promptly can prevent the infection from spreading and worsening. Fluids (choices B and C) are important for treating sepsis to maintain blood pressure and support organ function, but antibiotics are the primary intervention to target the infection. Administering oxygen (choice D) may be necessary to support respiratory function in septic patients, but it is not the most effective action to address the underlying infection.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess vital signs. Vital signs provide crucial information on the client's overall condition and can help identify any life-threatening issues. Monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature can guide immediate interventions and determine the urgency of further assessments or treatments. Administering oxygen (B) would be appropriate after assessing vital signs. Performing an ECG (C) may be indicated later but is not the priority in this acute situation. Monitoring serum glucose levels (D) is not typically the first assessment in a client with severe abdominal pain.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor for signs of infection. Within the first 48 hours post-op, fever is often indicative of an infection. Monitoring for signs such as increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth at the surgical site, elevated white blood cell count, and changes in vital signs helps in early detection and prompt treatment of infections. Administering antipyretics (choice A) may help reduce fever but does not address the underlying cause. Administering fluids (choice C) is important for hydration but does not directly address the fever's cause. Performing an abdominal assessment (choice D) is not specific to addressing fever in a post-op client.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct first intervention for a client suspected of having a stroke is to perform a CT scan (Choice B). This is because a CT scan can quickly identify the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and guide treatment decisions. Monitoring neurological status (Choice A) can be important but does not provide a definitive diagnosis. Administering fibrinolytics (Choice C) should only be done after confirming the type of stroke to avoid complications. Performing an MRI (Choice D) is more time-consuming and may not be feasible in the acute setting where quick intervention is crucial. Therefore, a CT scan is the most appropriate initial intervention for a suspected stroke.