Nokea
The nurse is providing care to a 72-year-old female patient. While providing care, the nurse instructs the patient to slowly rise from a sitting or prone position. What is the pathophysiological reason for this instruction?
- A. The patient is at higher risk for fractures due to postmenopausal osteoporosis.
- B. The patient is at higher risk for hypotension due to decreased baroreceptor sensitivity.
- C. The patient is at higher risk for falls due to decreased muscle strength and balance
- D. The patient is at higher risk for adverse drug reactions due to decreased hepatic function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As people age, their baroreceptor sensitivity decreases, making them more prone to orthostatic hypotension, especially when changing positions quickly. Orthostatic hypotension is a significant concern in the elderly population as it can lead to falls and injuries. By instructing the patient to rise slowly from a sitting or prone position, the nurse is helping to prevent a rapid drop in blood pressure that can occur with sudden position changes. This precaution is particularly important in elderly patients to minimize the risk of falls and subsequent injuries.
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Which patient will most likely seek prenatal care?
- A. A 15-year-old patient who tells her friends, “I just don’t believe that I am pregnant”
- B. A 28-year-old who is in her second pregnancy and abuses drugs and alcohol
- C. A 20-year-old who is in her first pregnancy and has access to a free prenatal clinic
- D. A 30-year-old who is in her fifth pregnancy and delivered her last infant at home with the help of her mother and sister
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient in option C is the most likely to seek prenatal care. This is because she is in her first pregnancy, indicating that she may be more inclined to seek medical guidance and support for the first time experience of pregnancy. Furthermore, the fact that she has access to a free prenatal clinic suggests that she has the resources and opportunity to obtain proper prenatal care, which can significantly benefit her and her baby's health. In contrast, the patients in the other options either demonstrate risky behaviors (such as drug and alcohol abuse in option B) or have previously given birth without professional medical assistance (as indicated in option D), which may indicate lower likelihood of seeking prenatal care. The patient in option A also demonstrates denial of pregnancy, which could delay seeking necessary prenatal care.
A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who asks when she should be tested for GBS. What does the nurse tell the patient?
- A. 34–35 weeks
- B. 36–37 weeks
- C. 38–39 weeks
- D. 39–40 weeks
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should inform the pregnant patient that Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing is typically done between 36 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. Testing at this time allows for optimal identification of GBS colonization during childbirth. It is important to test at this stage to determine the presence of GBS in the birth canal, as GBS can be passed to the newborn during delivery, which may lead to serious infections. Testing later in pregnancy increases the likelihood of obtaining accurate results closer to the due date, enabling appropriate management to be implemented to reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn.
Which of the following statements highlights the nurse’s role as a researcher?
- A. Reading peer-reviewed journal articles
- B. Working as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide patient care
- C. Helping patient to obtain home care postdischarge from the hospital
- D. Delegating tasks to unlicensed personnel to allow for more teaching time with patients
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reading peer-reviewed journal articles highlights the nurse's role as a researcher because it involves staying current with the latest evidence-based practices, advancements in healthcare, and research findings. Nurses who engage in reading such articles are able to enhance their knowledge, critical thinking skills, and decision-making abilities, which are crucial aspects of conducting research and applying research findings to patient care. By continuously educating themselves through reviewing peer-reviewed literature, nurses contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and further research in the field.
A nurse is working in the area of labor and birth. Her assignment is to take care of a gravida 1 para 0 woman who presents in early labor at term. Vaginal exam reflects the following: 2 cm, cervix posterior, –1 station, and vertex with membranes intact. The patient asks the nurse if she can break her water so that her labor can go faster. The nurse’s response, based on the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, is which of the following?
- A. Tell the patient that she will have to wait until she has progressed further on the vaginal exam and then she will perform an amniotomy.
- B. Have the patient write down her request and then call the physician for an order to implement the amniotomy.
- C. Instruct the patient that only a physician or certified midwife can perform this procedure.
- D. Give the patient an enema to stimulate labor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct response based on the ethical principle of nonmaleficence, which refers to the duty to do no harm, is to tell the patient that she will have to wait until she has progressed further on the vaginal exam and then perform an amniotomy. In this scenario, breaking the patient's water prematurely could introduce risks and potential harm without clear medical necessity. Performing an amniotomy too early could increase the risk of infection or cause umbilical cord prolapse, which can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to wait until the patient has progressed further in labor before considering an amniotomy.
The nurse is providing care to a 35-year-old female patient who complains of low back pain, pain with defecation, pelvic pressure, and premenstrual spotting. The health care provider has prescribed the hormonal therapy Lupron for this condition. What is the goal of this prescription?
- A. To prevent pregnancy at this time to promote healing
- B. To suppress menstruation and further growth of the tissue
- C. To prevent retrograde menstruation outside the uterine cavity
- D. To increase blood flow to decrease the endometrial lining
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The goal of prescribing Lupron for this patient is to suppress menstruation and further growth of the tissue. Lupron is a hormonal therapy that works by suppressing the production of certain hormones that stimulate the growth of endometrial tissue. In conditions like endometriosis, where the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, suppressing menstruation can help alleviate symptoms such as pelvic pain, back pain, and pelvic pressure. By halting the growth of the tissue, Lupron can help manage the symptoms associated with endometriosis and improve the patient's quality of life.