A 56-year-old patient comes to the walk-in clinic for scant rectal bleeding and intermittent diarrhea and constipation for the past several months. There is a history of polyps and a family history for colorectal cancer. While you are trying to teach about colonoscopy, the patient becomes angry and threatens to leave. What is the priority diagnosis?
- A. Diarrhea/Constipation related to altered bowel patterns.
- B. Knowledge Deficit related to disease process and diagnostic procedure.
- C. Risk for Fluid Volume Deficit related to rectal bleeding and diarrhea.
- D. Anxiety related to unknown outcomes and perceived threats to body integrity.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient's anger and threat to leave indicate significant anxiety, which must be addressed before proceeding with education or further assessment.
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What should be included in Mr. Ross’s plan of care during radiation therapy if he complains of weakness and lethargy?
- A. Encouraging him to rest more than usual
- B. Monitoring his intake and output
- C. Helping him to accept his condition
- D. Checking his blood pressure daily
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rest conserves energy and aids recovery during radiation therapy.
A 20-year-old patient with a massive head injury is on life support, including a ventilator to maintain respirations. What three criteria for brain death are necessary to discontinue life support?
- A. Irreversible cessation of all brain functions.
- B. Absence of brainstem reflexes.
- C. No spontaneous respirations.
- D. Fear of pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Brain death is confirmed when there is irreversible cessation of all brain functions, absence of brainstem reflexes, and no spontaneous respirations, meeting legal and medical criteria for death.
A client complaining of severe shortness of breath is diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The nurse observes a falling pulse oximetry. The client's color changes to gray and she expectorates large amounts of pink frothy sputum. The first action of the nurse would be which of the following?
- A. Call the health care provider.
- B. Check vital signs.
- C. Position in high Fowler's.
- D. Administer oxygen.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Oxygen administration is immediate to address hypoxemia.
To communicate with a patient who does not speak the dominant language, the nurse should
- A. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly in a slightly louder voice.
- B. Use gestures and pantomime words while verbalizing specific words.
- C. Use family members rather than strangers as interpreters to increase the patient’s feeling of comfort.
- D. Use a dictionary or phrase books that translate from both the nurse’s language and the patient’s language.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Speaking slowly, using gestures, and utilizing translation tools facilitate effective communication. Using family members as interpreters can introduce bias and inaccuracies.
Priority Decision: When the nurse asks a preoperative patient about allergies, the patient reports a history of seasonal environmental allergies and allergies to a variety of fruits. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Note this information in the patient's record as hay fever and food allergies.
- B. Place an allergy alert wristband that identifies the specific allergies on the patient.
- C. Ask the patient to describe the nature and severity of any allergic responses experienced from these agents.
- D. Notify the anesthesia care provider (ACP) because the patient may have an increased risk for allergies to anesthetics.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Understanding the nature and severity of allergies helps in planning appropriate perioperative care and avoiding potential allergens.
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