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Zorluk: OrtaBasic Care and Comfort

An older adult client returns to the medical-surgical unit immediately following a lumbar puncture. The client appears restless, reports mild discomfort at the insertion site, and frequently reaches toward the lower back dressing. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to promote client comfort and prevent complications?

  1. A
    Elevate the head of the bed to a 45-degree angle to reduce tension on the lumbar nerves and improve overall comfort.
  2. Assist the client to maintain a flat, side-lying or supine position while providing a calm environment.Cevap
  3. C
    Instruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to evaluate the puncture site for cerebrospinal fluid leakage while repositioning the client.
  4. D
    Apply soft bilateral wrist restraints immediately to ensure the client does not remove the sterile dressing.

Cevap

The nurse should assist the client to maintain a flat, side-lying or supine position while providing a calm environment.
The correct action is to keep the client in a flat position (either supine or side-lying). Following a lumbar puncture, clients must remain flat for a prescribed duration (typically 4 to 8 hours) to prevent the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, which can cause a debilitating spinal headache. Providing a calm environment addresses the client's restlessness using a safe, non-pharmacologic approach.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the client's clinical situation and recent procedure.
The client has just undergone a lumbar puncture and is exhibiting restlessness and mild discomfort.
Identifying the specific post-procedure requirements is essential for determining safe basic care and positioning.
2
Evaluate the standard positioning guidelines following a lumbar puncture.
Standard practice requires the client to remain flat (supine or side-lying) for 4 to 8 hours.
Staying flat prevents the gravity-induced leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the dural puncture site, which is the primary cause of severe post-dural puncture headaches.
3
Review the other proposed actions for safety and scope of practice.
Elevating the head is clinically contraindicated; delegating the assessment to a UAP violates delegation principles; and applying restraints without trying alternatives violates safety protocols.
Nursing actions must prioritize evidence-based safety, proper delegation of clinical judgment, and the use of the least restrictive interventions.

Anahtar Kavram

Post-Lumbar Puncture Positioning and Basic Care
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