A high school football player comes to the clinic complaining of severe acne. The mother reports recent behavior changes, including irritability and suspiciousness of friends. The nurse's assessment reveals an elevated blood pressure. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Encourage the client to see a dermatologist
- B. Refer the adolescent to a substance abuse program
- C. Suggest a low-salt, low-fat, and caffeine-free diet
- D. Inquire about a possible use of anabolic steroids
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the high school football player presenting with severe acne, behavior changes, elevated blood pressure, and suspicion of friends suggests the possible use of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroid use can lead to such symptoms. Therefore, the nurse should first inquire about the possible use of anabolic steroids to address the root cause of the presenting issues. Encouraging the client to see a dermatologist (Choice A) may be necessary but addressing the underlying cause is crucial first. Referring the adolescent to a substance abuse program (Choice B) is premature without confirming steroid use. Suggesting a low-salt, low-fat, and caffeine-free diet (Choice C) is not the priority in this situation where a serious issue like anabolic steroid use needs immediate attention.
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The nurse is teaching a male adolescent recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) about self-injecting insulin. Which approach is best for the nurse to use to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching?
- A. Observe him demonstrating the self-injection technique to another diabetic adolescent.
- B. Ask the adolescent to describe his comfort level with injecting himself with insulin.
- C. Review his glycosylated hemoglobin level 3 months after the teaching session.
- D. Have the adolescent list the steps for safe insulin administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reviewing the glycosylated hemoglobin level after a few months is the best approach to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching self-injection. This measurement provides an objective indicator of the adolescent's glucose control over time, reflecting the impact of insulin self-administration education. Choices A, B, and D do not directly assess the long-term impact of the teaching on the adolescent's diabetes management.
The practical nurse (PN) is assigned to work with three registered nurses (RN) who are caring for neurologically compromised clients. The client with which change in status is best to assign to the PN?
- A. Diabetic ketoacidosis whose Glasgow Coma Scale score changed from 10 to 7
- B. Subdural hematoma whose blood pressure changed from 150/80 mmHg to 170/60 mmHg
- C. Myxedema coma whose blood pressure changed from 80/50 mmHg to 70/40 mmHg
- D. Viral meningitis whose temperature changed from 101° F (38.3 C) to 102° F (38.9C)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because viral meningitis with a slight increase in temperature is less acute and complex compared to the other conditions. This change in temperature does not indicate a critical or urgent situation requiring immediate attention or intervention beyond the scope of a practical nurse. Choices A, B, and C present more significant changes in health status such as a decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale score, an increase in intracranial pressure indicated by blood pressure changes, and a significant drop in blood pressure, respectively. These changes require closer monitoring and intervention by registered nurses due to the higher acuity and complexity of care needed for these conditions.
The nurse receives change of shift report on a group of clients for the upcoming shift. A client with which condition requires the most immediate attention by the nurse?
- A. Gunshot wound three hours ago with dark drainage of 2 cm on the dressing
- B. Mastectomy 2 days ago with 50 ml bloody drainage in the Jackson-Pratt drain
- C. Collapsed lung after a fall 8 hours ago with 100 ml blood in the chest tube collection container
- D. Abdominal-perineal resection 2 days ago with no drainage on dressing and fever and chills
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A collapsed lung with significant blood accumulation requires immediate attention to prevent respiratory compromise. Option A may also require attention, but the immediate threat to airway and breathing in option C takes precedence over the others. Option B has expected drainage after a mastectomy, and option D's fever and chills, while concerning, do not pose an immediate life-threatening risk as in option C.
The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with acute gastritis caused by drinking contaminated water. The nurse should emphasize the need to report the onset of which problem?
- A. Low-grade fever
- B. Bruising of the skin
- C. Abdominal cramping
- D. Bloody emesis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bloody emesis. Bloody emesis indicates potential bleeding or severe irritation, which should be reported immediately. In the context of acute gastritis, bloody emesis could indicate a more serious complication that requires urgent medical attention. Choices A, B, and C are not typically associated with acute gastritis caused by contaminated water and do not signal as critical of a condition as bloody emesis. Low-grade fever, bruising of the skin, and abdominal cramping are more commonly associated with other conditions or may be less urgent in this context.
A client with skin grafts covering full-thickness burns on both arms and legs is scheduled for a dressing change. The client is nervous and requests that the dressing change be skipped this time. What action is most important for the nurse to take?
- A. Explain the importance of regular dressing changes
- B. Administer an anti-anxiety medication
- C. Proceed with the scheduled dressing change
- D. Encourage the client to express any anxieties
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this situation, the most important action for the nurse to take is to explain the importance of regular dressing changes to the client. By doing so, the nurse can help the client understand the necessity for wound healing and infection prevention. Administering anti-anxiety medication (Choice B) may not address the root cause of the client's anxiety, which is the lack of understanding. Proceeding with the scheduled dressing change (Choice C) without addressing the client's concerns can worsen their anxiety and decrease trust. Encouraging the client to express any anxieties (Choice D) is important but not as crucial as ensuring the client comprehends the rationale behind the dressing change.