Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 75%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who has a high fever. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Applying a bath blanket between the client and a cooling blanket helps to prevent direct contact between the cooling blanket and the client's skin, reducing the risk of hypothermia. This method promotes gradual cooling and prevents sudden temperature changes, which can be harmful. It also helps to regulate the client's body temperature effectively.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
B: Placing ice packs on the client's neck and behind the knees can lead to localized cooling and may not effectively reduce the overall body temperature in a client with a high fever.
C: Giving the client a sponge bath using an alcohol-water solution can lead to evaporative cooling, which may cause the client's body temperature to decrease too rapidly, potentially leading to complications.
D: Covering the client with heavy blankets after shivering subsides can trap heat and hinder the cooling process, making it difficult to lower the client's fever effectively.
Rationale: Applying a bath blanket between the client and a cooling blanket helps to prevent direct contact between the cooling blanket and the client's skin, reducing the risk of hypothermia. This method promotes gradual cooling and prevents sudden temperature changes, which can be harmful. It also helps to regulate the client's body temperature effectively.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
B: Placing ice packs on the client's neck and behind the knees can lead to localized cooling and may not effectively reduce the overall body temperature in a client with a high fever.
C: Giving the client a sponge bath using an alcohol-water solution can lead to evaporative cooling, which may cause the client's body temperature to decrease too rapidly, potentially leading to complications.
D: Covering the client with heavy blankets after shivering subsides can trap heat and hinder the cooling process, making it difficult to lower the client's fever effectively.