A 10-year-old boy presents with a history of central abdominal pain of a few hours' duration. On examination he has minimal tenderness in the right iliac fossa and no abnormal findings on rectal examination. Which of the following alternatives should be carried out?
- A. Arrange a barium meal follow through.
- B. Arrange to see the patient later on in the day for review.
- C. Send the patient away with instructions to return if the pain becomes worse.
- D. Tell the patient to come back in a week.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early appendicitis can present subtly. Minimal right iliac fossa tenderness warrants observation, so reviewing later (B) is appropriate. Imaging (A), dismissal (C, D), or immediate surgery (E) without further assessment are not justified yet.
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A client admitted with delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorder has the admitting diagnosis schizophreniform disorder R/O organic pathology. Based on this information, the nurse can expect that the client will:
- A. Undergo an MRI test
- B. Have psychological testing
- C. Have an immunologic assay performed
- D. Participate in a dexamethasone suppression test
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: The client is admitted with symptoms suggestive of a psychotic disorder, specifically schizophreniform disorder.
Step 2: The admitting diagnosis includes ruling out organic pathology, indicating a need to investigate potential physical causes.
Step 3: An MRI test is a non-invasive imaging procedure that can help identify any structural abnormalities in the brain.
Step 4: This test is appropriate in ruling out organic causes of the symptoms presented by the client.
Step 5: Psychological testing (Choice B) is more focused on assessing cognitive and emotional functioning, not ruling out organic pathology.
Step 6: Immunologic assay (Choice C) is used to detect antibodies or antigens in the blood, not typically relevant in this context.
Step 7: Dexamethasone suppression test (Choice D) is used to assess for abnormalities related to cortisol levels in conditions like depression, not specific to ruling out organic pathology in psychotic disorders.
Summary: Choice A is correct because an MRI test is the most relevant
When teaching a patient with binge-purge bulimia, the nurse should give priority to information about:
- A. Self-monitoring of daily food and fluid intake.
- B. Establishing the desired daily weight gain.
- C. Symptoms of hypokalemia.
- D. Self-esteem maintenance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Symptoms of hypokalemia. This is the priority because individuals with binge-purge bulimia often have electrolyte imbalances, including hypokalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac complications. Educating the patient on recognizing symptoms of hypokalemia, such as weakness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats, is crucial for early intervention.
A: Self-monitoring of daily food and fluid intake is important but not the priority when dealing with potential life-threatening complications like hypokalemia.
B: Establishing the desired daily weight gain is not appropriate for individuals with binge-purge bulimia as the focus should be on addressing the underlying psychological issues rather than weight gain.
D: Self-esteem maintenance is important in the long term but does not take precedence over addressing immediate health risks such as hypokalemia.
Which nursing progress note would most suggest that the treatment plan of a severely depressed and withdrawn patient has been effective?
- A. Slept 6 hours straight, sang with activity group, eager to see grandchild.
- B. Slept 8 hours, attended craft group, ate half of lunch, denies suicidal ideation.
- C. Slept 10 hours, personal hygiene adequate with assistance, lost one pound.
- D. Slept 7 hours on and off, reports "food has no taste", no self-harm noted.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it indicates positive changes in mood, engagement, and social interaction, which are key indicators of effective treatment for severe depression. Sleeping 6 hours straight shows improved sleep patterns, singing with the activity group reflects increased participation and enjoyment, and being eager to see the grandchild demonstrates a renewed sense of joy and connection.
Choice B is incorrect because although the patient denies suicidal ideation, the level of activity and engagement is not as high as in choice A. Choice C is incorrect as the focus is on physical aspects rather than emotional well-being and social interaction. Choice D is incorrect because the patient still shows signs of depression such as lack of appetite and loss of interest in activities.
A child, aged 11 years, stays home from school to care for his siblings while his mother works, because the family cannot afford a babysitter. The home is cluttered and dirty when the community mental health nurse visits to investigate the child's school absences. The nurse's legal responsibility if child abuse or neglect is suspected is to:
- A. consult with the child's teacher, principal, and school psychologist.
- B. document the observations and impressions in the family health record.
- C. report her suspicions of abuse or neglect according to state regulations.
- D. wait until she has proof of abuse or neglect, then report it to authorities.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
1. **Legal Obligation**: The nurse has a legal duty to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect.
2. **Protecting the Child**: Reporting ensures the child's safety and well-being.
3. **State Regulations**: State laws mandate reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
4. **Immediate Action**: Waiting for proof delays intervention and puts the child at risk.
Summary:
- Choice A: Consulting with school staff doesn't fulfill the legal obligation to report.
- Choice B: Documenting is important but not sufficient; reporting is crucial.
- Choice D: Waiting for proof is dangerous; immediate reporting is necessary to protect the child.
The intervention of highest priority for a client with stage 3 Alzheimer's disease is to:
- A. Provide a stimulating environment
- B. Maintain hydration and nutrition
- C. Set limits on behavioral disinhibition
- D. Promote self-care activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because maintaining hydration and nutrition is crucial for the client's overall well-being and health in stage 3 Alzheimer's. Dehydration and malnutrition can lead to serious complications. Providing a stimulating environment (choice A) may be beneficial but not the highest priority. Setting limits on behavioral disinhibition (choice C) may be challenging due to the progression of the disease. Promoting self-care activities (choice D) may not be feasible as the client's cognitive abilities decline. Maintaining hydration and nutrition is essential for the client's survival and quality of life.