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A nurse is caring for a patient with acute pancreatitis. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of complications?
- A. Decreased urine output and increased thirst.
- B. Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
- C. Hypotension and tachycardia.
- D. Tachypnea and cyanosis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hypotension and tachycardia. In acute pancreatitis, complications like hypovolemic shock can lead to hypotension and tachycardia due to fluid shifts and inflammation. Decreased urine output and increased thirst (A) may indicate dehydration but are not specific to pancreatitis. Increased blood pressure and heart rate (B) are not typical signs of complications in pancreatitis. Tachypnea and cyanosis (D) suggest respiratory distress, which is not a common complication of pancreatitis.
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When examining a patient, the nurse can assess mental health by:
- A. Examining the patient's electroencephalogram.
- B. Observing the patient as he or she performs an IQ test.
- C. Observing the patient and inferring health or dysfunction.
- D. Examining the patient's response to a specific set of questions.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because observing the patient and inferring health or dysfunction allows the nurse to assess mental health holistically. This method considers various factors such as behavior, emotions, communication, and overall functioning. It provides a comprehensive view of the patient's mental well-being.
A: Examining the patient's electroencephalogram is more related to brain activity rather than mental health assessment.
B: Observing the patient as he or she performs an IQ test is limited to cognitive abilities and does not capture the full spectrum of mental health.
D: Examining the patient's response to a specific set of questions may not provide a complete picture of mental health as it focuses on specific aspects rather than overall assessment.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of hypertension and heart failure. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of worsening heart failure?
- A. Increased urine output and weight loss.
- B. Swelling in the legs and shortness of breath.
- C. Decreased blood pressure and dizziness.
- D. Fatigue and constipation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Swelling in the legs and shortness of breath. In heart failure, fluid can build up in the body causing swelling, particularly in the legs. Shortness of breath is a common symptom due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Increased urine output and weight loss (A) are not indicative of worsening heart failure as they suggest fluid loss. Decreased blood pressure and dizziness (C) can be seen in other conditions like dehydration. Fatigue and constipation (D) are not specific signs of heart failure worsening.
During the health assessment, the nurse notes that a patient is anxious and worried about upcoming surgery. What is the nurse's first priority in this situation?
- A. Assess the patient's emotional state and provide reassurance.
- B. Discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery in detail.
- C. Encourage the patient to relax and not focus on the surgery.
- D. Call the surgeon to inform them of the patient's anxiety.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient's emotional state and provide reassurance. The first priority is to address the patient's anxiety and worry, as this can impact their overall well-being and ability to cope with the upcoming surgery. By assessing the emotional state, the nurse can understand the patient's concerns and provide appropriate support and reassurance. Discussing the risks and benefits (choice B) may be important but not the immediate priority. Encouraging relaxation (choice C) may not address the underlying anxiety. Calling the surgeon (choice D) is not necessary at this point as the nurse should first focus on the patient's emotional needs.
The inspection phase of the physical assessment:
- A. Yields little information
- B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
- C. Requires a quick glance at the patient's body systems
- D. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the inspection phase of a physical assessment involves visually examining the patient's body, which can reveal a surprising amount of information. This step is crucial in identifying visible abnormalities, such as skin discoloration, swelling, or asymmetry. It helps in assessing the patient's overall appearance, posture, and body movements. This detailed observation can provide valuable insights into the patient's health status and aid in making an accurate diagnosis.
Choice A is incorrect because the inspection phase actually provides significant information. Choice C is incorrect as it downplays the importance of thorough observation. Choice D is incorrect because the discomfort level for the expert practitioner is not a defining factor in the inspection phase.
The nurse is planning to assess new memory with a patient. The best way to do this would be to:
- A. Administer the FACT test.
- B. Ask him to describe his first job to you.
- C. Give him the Four Unrelated Words Test.
- D. Ask him to describe the last TV show he watched before coming to the clinic.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Give him the Four Unrelated Words Test. This is the best way to assess new memory because it is a standardized test specifically designed to evaluate a patient's ability to form new memories. The test involves presenting the patient with four unrelated words and then asking them to recall those words after a delay. This test is reliable, valid, and widely used in clinical settings to assess new memory formation.
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Administering the FACT test is not the best way to assess new memory as it is not specifically designed for this purpose.
B: Asking the patient to describe his first job does not directly evaluate new memory formation and may not provide a standardized assessment.
D: Asking the patient to describe the last TV show he watched does not focus on new memory and is not a standardized way to assess memory function.