A client is suspected of being poisoned and presents with symmetric, descending flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, double vision, and dry mouth. The nurse should consider these findings consistent with which potential bioterrorism agent?
- A. ricin
- B. botulism toxin
- C. sulfur mustard
- D. yersinia pestis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: botulism toxin. Botulism toxin is associated with symmetric, descending flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, double vision, and dry mouth, which are consistent with the client's presentation. Ricin (Choice A) typically presents with gastrointestinal symptoms. Sulfur mustard (Choice C) is a blistering agent causing skin, eye, and respiratory issues. Yersinia pestis (Choice D) is associated with the bubonic plague, presenting with fever, malaise, and buboes.
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The nurse is caring for a child who has just returned from surgery following a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Offer ice chips every 2 hours
- B. Place the child in a semi-Fowler's position
- C. Encourage the child to drink from a cup
- D. Observe swallowing patterns
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Observing swallowing patterns is crucial post-tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to detect signs of bleeding. Offering ice chips instead of ice cream helps prevent throat irritation. Placing the child in a semi-Fowler's position promotes airway patency and reduces the risk of aspiration. Encouraging the child to drink from a cup instead of a straw minimizes the risk of dislodging the surgical site.
The Healthy People project is designed to:
- A. track health care trends to anticipate insurance liabilities, especially for poor and urban populations
- B. demonstrate that social factors have a significant impact on individual and community health
- C. follow health indicators such as activity, substance use, mental health, and environmental issues
- D. demonstrate that access to health care in the United States is adequate for all populations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Healthy People project is designed to follow health indicators such as activity, substance use, mental health, and environmental issues to improve public health outcomes. Choice A is incorrect because the project focuses on public health indicators rather than insurance liabilities. Choice B is incorrect as the project actually acknowledges the significant impact of social factors on health. Choice D is incorrect because one of the main goals of the Healthy People project is to identify and address disparities in access to healthcare, not to demonstrate that access is adequate for all populations.
While assessing an Rh-positive newborn whose mother is Rh-negative, the nurse recognizes the risk for hyperbilirubinemia. Which of the following should be reported immediately?
- A. Jaundice evident at 26 hours
- B. Hematocrit of 55%
- C. Serum bilirubin of 12 mg/dL
- D. Positive Coombs test
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A serum bilirubin level of 12 mg/dL in a newborn is concerning and can indicate a significant risk of hyperbilirubinemia, which requires immediate medical intervention to prevent complications like kernicterus. Jaundice at 26 hours (Choice A) is a symptom, not a laboratory result, and needs monitoring but not an immediate report. Hematocrit of 55% (Choice B) may be elevated but is not indicative of hyperbilirubinemia. A positive Coombs test (Choice D) indicates the presence of antibodies on the newborn's red blood cells but does not directly correlate with the risk of hyperbilirubinemia.
A client has been admitted for meningitis. In reviewing the laboratory analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the nurse would expect to note
- A. High protein
- B. Clear color
- C. Elevated sed rate
- D. Increased glucose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: High protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are indicative of bacterial meningitis, as the presence of bacteria in the CSF leads to increased protein production. Elevated protein levels can be seen in inflammatory conditions like meningitis. Choice B, clear color, is not expected in meningitis as it is typically associated with cloudy or turbid CSF. Elevated sed rate (choice C) and increased glucose (choice D) are not typically associated with the laboratory findings seen in meningitis.
Tertiary prevention would best be described as:
- A. recovery from physical limitation and psychological regression
- B. health teaching and immunization
- C. rehabilitation of alcoholic and drug dependents
- D. preventing disability and maximum use of remaining capacity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tertiary prevention is the stage of prevention that aims at preventing disability and maximizing the use of remaining capacity. Choice A is more aligned with rehabilitation rather than tertiary prevention. Choice B refers to primary prevention by promoting health and preventing diseases. Choice C focuses on rehabilitation specific to alcohol and drug dependence, which is a form of secondary prevention, not tertiary prevention.