A medical nurse is providing end-of-life care for a patient with metastatic bone cancer. The nurse notes that the patient has been receiving oral analgesics for her pain with adequate effect, but is now having difficulty swallowing the medication. What should the nurse do?
- A. Request the physician to order analgesics by an alternative route.
- B. Crush the medication in order to aid swallowing and absorption.
- C. Administer the patients medication with the meal tray.
- D. Administer the medication rectally.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Requesting the physician to order analgesics by an alternative route is the correct choice as the patient is having difficulty swallowing the medication.
2. Alternative routes could include subcutaneous, intravenous, transdermal, or rectal routes to ensure the patient receives adequate pain relief.
3. Crushing the medication (choice B) may alter the absorption rate and effectiveness of the medication.
4. Administering the medication with the meal tray (choice C) may not address the swallowing issue and could lead to inadequate pain relief.
5. Administering the medication rectally (choice D) is not ideal as it may not be the most appropriate route for analgesics in this situation.
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A nurse wants to reduce data entry errors onthe computer system. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Use the same password all the time.
- B. Share password with only one other staff member.
- C. Print out and review computer nursing notes at home.
- D. Chart on the computer immediately after care is provided.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because charting on the computer immediately after care is provided reduces the chances of forgetting important details and ensures accuracy. It also allows for real-time documentation, improving patient care. Choice A is incorrect as using the same password all the time poses a security risk. Choice B is incorrect as sharing passwords compromises confidentiality. Choice C is incorrect as printing out and reviewing notes at home does not address data entry errors on the computer system.
A 37-year-old man is brought to the clinic by his wife because he is experiencing loss of motor function and sensation. The physician suspects the patient has a spinal cord tumor and hospitalizes him for diagnostic testing. In light of the need to diagnose spinal cord compression from a tumor, the nurse will most likely prepare the patient for what test?
- A. Anterior-posterior x-ray
- B. Ultrasound
- C. Lumbar puncture
- D. MRI
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: MRI. MRI is the most appropriate test for diagnosing spinal cord compression from a tumor as it provides detailed images of soft tissues, including the spinal cord and surrounding structures. It can accurately identify the location, size, and extent of the tumor. Anterior-posterior x-ray (A) is not as detailed and may not clearly show soft tissue abnormalities. Ultrasound (B) is not typically used for imaging the spinal cord and may not provide sufficient information. Lumbar puncture (C) is used to collect cerebrospinal fluid and is not helpful for diagnosing spinal cord compression from a tumor.
The nurse in a pediatric ICU is caring for a child who is dying of sickle cell anemia. The childs mother has been unable to eat or sleep and can talk only about her impending loss and the guilt she feels about the childs pain and suffering. What intervention has the highest priority?
- A. Allowing the patient to express her feelings without judging her
- B. Helping the patient to understand the phases of the grieving process
- C. Reassuring the patient that the childs death is not her fault
- D. Arranging for genetic counseling to inform the patient of her chances of having another child with the disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Allowing the patient to express her feelings without judging her. This intervention has the highest priority as it focuses on providing emotional support and creating a safe space for the mother to express her emotions without feeling judged. In this situation, the mother is experiencing intense guilt and grief, and allowing her to talk about her feelings can help her process her emotions and cope with the impending loss. By listening actively and without judgment, the nurse can demonstrate empathy and compassion, which are crucial in supporting the mother through this difficult time.
Summary:
B: Helping the patient to understand the phases of the grieving process may be helpful, but it is not the highest priority at this moment.
C: Reassuring the patient that the child's death is not her fault is important, but the priority is to address the mother's emotional needs first.
D: Arranging for genetic counseling is not the highest priority at this time as the immediate focus should be on providing emotional support to the mother
A child has been transported to the emergency department (ED) after a severe allergic reaction. The ED nurse is evaluating the patients respiratory status. How should the nurse evaluate the patients respiratory status? Select all that apply.
- A. Facilitate lung function testing.
- B. Assess breath sounds.
- C. Measure the childs oxygen saturation by oximeter.
- D. Monitor the childs respiratory pattern. E) Assess the childs respiratory rate.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: Assessing breath sounds is crucial in evaluating respiratory status as it helps identify any signs of airway obstruction or respiratory distress. This includes listening for wheezing, crackles, or diminished breath sounds. Lung function testing (A) may not be feasible in an acute emergency situation. Oxygen saturation (C) is important but does not provide a comprehensive assessment of respiratory status. Monitoring respiratory pattern (D) and assessing respiratory rate (E) are important but do not directly assess breath sounds, which are vital in identifying immediate respiratory issues.
A placenta previa when the placental edge just reaches the internal os is called
- A. total.
- B. partial.
- C. low-lying.
- D. marginal.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, marginal. Placenta previa is classified based on the proximity of the placental edge to the internal os. In a marginal placenta previa, the placental edge just reaches the internal os. This is a crucial distinction as it poses a higher risk for bleeding during labor. Total placenta previa covers the entire internal os, partial placenta previa partially covers the internal os, and low-lying placenta is when the placenta is close to but not covering the internal os. Therefore, D is correct as it accurately describes the specific position of the placenta edge in relation to the internal os in cases of marginal placenta previa.
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