Question

A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who was admitted to the neurological unit following a stroke 3 hr ago. Which of the following interventions should the nurse identify as the priority? a) Monitoring the client's vital signs b) Administering pain medication c) Assisting with physical therapy d) Providing a meal for the client

Answer 1

When caring for a client who has recently suffered a stroke, a nurse should prioritise keeping an eye on the client's vital signs. option a is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a patient who experienced a stroke, immediate medical attention focuses on stabilising the patient's health by closely monitoring neurological functions. The priority intervention for a nurse caring for this patient three hours after the stroke would be a) Monitoring the client's vital signs. This is because, after a stroke, changes in vital signs can indicate further neurological damage or potential complications, such as another stroke.

Vital signs provide crucial information about the body's core functions, and any significant changes can identify immediate threats to a person's health. These include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature, all of which need close observation following a stroke. Other factors such as pain management, physical therapy and providing meals have their importance but are secondary to the immediate medical issue at hand.

Learn more about Stroke Care