A 65-year-old patient with a history of metastatic lung car cinoma has been unresponsive to chemotherapy. The medical team has determined that ther e are no additional treatments available that will prolong life or improve the quality of lifaebi ribn.c oamn/yte smt eaningful way. Despite the poor prognosis, the patient continues to receive chemotherapy and full nutrition support. This is an example of what end-of-life concept?
- A. Medical futility
- B. Palliative care
- C. Terminal weaning
- D. Withdrawal of treatment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Medical futility. In this scenario, the patient's condition is terminal with no treatment options left. Continuing chemotherapy offers no benefit and may even harm the patient. Medical futility refers to interventions that are unlikely to achieve the desired outcome.
B: Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, which is not being addressed in this case.
C: Terminal weaning involves gradually removing life-support measures, which is not happening here.
D: Withdrawal of treatment would be appropriate if the treatments were no longer beneficial, but the issue here is the continued provision of futile treatment.
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An elderly patient is admitted to the ICU with stage IV lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. The health care team assembled to care for her is large and diverse, including an oncologist, a pulmonologist, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, and others. The patient is not expected to survive more than a few weeks, and her husband is overwhelmed with stress and grief. Which nurse competency or competencies are most needed in this situation? Select all that apply.
- A. Clinical judgment
- B. Caring practices
- C. Collaboration
- D. Response to diversity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Caring practices. In this situation, the patient and her husband are dealing with complex medical conditions and emotional distress. Caring practices involve providing compassionate, empathetic, and supportive care to the patient and her family members during this difficult time. The nurse needs to show sensitivity, understanding, and emotional support to help them cope with their situation. Clinical judgment (A) is important but not the primary focus in this scenario. Collaboration (C) is essential in the interdisciplinary team, but caring practices take precedence in addressing the emotional needs. Response to diversity (D) is also important, but in this case, the focus is more on providing compassionate care rather than addressing cultural or social diversity issues.
The patient has just returned from having an arteriovenous fistula placed. The patient asks, “When will they be able to use this and take this other catheter out?” The nurse should reply,
- A. “It can be used immediately, so the catheter can come out anytime.”
- B. “It will take 2 to 4 weeks to heal before it can be used.”
- C. “The fistula will be usable in about 4 to 6 weeks.”
- D. “The fistula was made using graft material, so it depends on the manufacturer.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: “The fistula will be usable in about 4 to 6 weeks.” The rationale for this is that an arteriovenous fistula typically requires 4 to 6 weeks to mature and be ready for use. During this time, the fistula develops the necessary blood flow for efficient dialysis.
Choice A is incorrect because immediate use of the fistula is not recommended as it needs time to mature. Choice B is incorrect as it underestimates the time needed for the fistula to heal and mature. Choice D is incorrect as the usability of the fistula is not dependent on the manufacturer but rather on the patient's individual healing process.
The patient undergoes a cardiac catheterization that requires the use of contrast dyes during the procedure. To detect signs of contrast-induced kidney injury, the nurse should
- A. not be concerned unless urine output decreases.
- B. evaluate the patient’s serum creatinine for up to 72 hours after the procedure.
- C. obtain an order for a renal ultrasound.
- D. evaluate the patient’s postvoid residual volume to detect intrarenal injury.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because evaluating the patient's serum creatinine for up to 72 hours after the procedure is crucial in detecting contrast-induced kidney injury. An increase in serum creatinine levels indicates impaired kidney function due to the contrast dye. This monitoring allows for early detection and intervention to prevent further kidney damage.
Choice A is incorrect because a decrease in urine output is a late sign of kidney injury and may not be present in the early stages. Choice C is incorrect as a renal ultrasound is not typically used to detect contrast-induced kidney injury. Choice D is incorrect as postvoid residual volume assessment is not specific to detecting intrarenal injury related to contrast dye use.
A nurse is on a committee that is trying to reduce the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections in the ICU. Her role is to conduct research to find which interventions have been shown to be most effective in reducing these infections. She consults many different sources and finds conflicting information. Which of the following sources should she consider the most authoritative?
- A. AACN expert panel report
- B. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the American Journal of Nursing
- C. A systematic review of qualitative studies in the Journal of Advanced Nursing
- D. A single randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Critical Care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the American Journal of Nursing.
1. Meta-analyses provide a comprehensive overview of multiple studies, increasing the reliability of the findings.
2. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in research design for assessing intervention effectiveness.
3. The American Journal of Nursing is a reputable source in the field of nursing, ensuring the credibility of the study.
4. By synthesizing data from various trials, the meta-analysis can offer a more robust and generalizable conclusion compared to a single trial or qualitative studies.
Incorrect choices:
A: AACN expert panel report - Expert opinions may vary and lack the empirical evidence provided by research studies.
C: A systematic review of qualitative studies in the Journal of Advanced Nursing - Qualitative studies may provide valuable insights but may not offer concrete evidence on intervention effectiveness like quantitative studies.
D: A single randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Critical Care - Single trials may not capture the full picture and
A client is receiving atenolol (Tenormin) 25 mg PO after a myocardial infarction. The nurse determines the client's apical pulse is 65 beats per minute. What action should the nurse implement next?
- A. Measure the blood pressure.
- B. Reassess the apical pulse.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider.
- D. Administer the medication.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Administer the medication. Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure. In this scenario, the client's apical pulse of 65 beats per minute is within the normal range for a client taking atenolol after a myocardial infarction. Therefore, the nurse should proceed with administering the medication as prescribed to help maintain the client's heart rate and blood pressure within the therapeutic range.
A: Measuring the blood pressure is important but not the immediate next step as the client's heart rate is within the normal range.
B: Reassessing the apical pulse is unnecessary since it is already within the normal range for a client on atenolol.
C: Notifying the healthcare provider is not indicated as there are no signs of concern with the client's heart rate at 65 bpm.