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A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of an exacerbation?
- A. Increased sputum production.
- B. Decreased respiratory rate.
- C. Low blood pressure.
- D. High fever.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 1. Increased sputum production is a sign of COPD exacerbation due to worsening inflammation and mucus production.
2. Decreased respiratory rate is not typical in COPD exacerbation as patients often experience increased respiratory effort.
3. Low blood pressure is not a common sign of COPD exacerbation and is more likely related to other conditions or medications.
4. High fever is not a typical sign of COPD exacerbation and could indicate an infection or other underlying issue.
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A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of hypertension. Which of the following findings would be most concerning?
- A. A blood pressure reading of 160/100 mm Hg.
- B. A blood pressure reading of 130/85 mm Hg.
- C. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg.
- D. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A blood pressure reading of 160/100 mm Hg is most concerning because it falls within the hypertensive crisis range, indicating severely elevated blood pressure that requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications like stroke or heart attack. Choices B, C, and D are within the prehypertension or mild hypertension ranges and are not as immediately concerning.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following a hip replacement. The nurse should prioritize which of the following interventions to prevent complications?
- A. Administering pain medication as needed.
- B. Encouraging early ambulation and use of compression stockings.
- C. Providing nutritional support and supplements.
- D. Monitoring for signs of infection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encouraging early ambulation and use of compression stockings. This intervention is crucial post-hip replacement to prevent complications such as blood clots and muscle weakness. Early ambulation helps prevent blood clots by promoting circulation, and compression stockings further aid in preventing deep vein thrombosis. Pain medication (A) is important but not the priority in preventing complications. Providing nutritional support (C) is also important but does not directly prevent post-operative complications. Monitoring for signs of infection (D) is essential but not as immediate as promoting early ambulation to prevent complications.
The nurse is performing a review of systems on a 76-year-old patient. Which of the following statements is correct for this situation?
- A. The questions asked are identical for all ages.
- B. The interviewer will start incorporating different questions for patients 70 years of age and older.
- C. Additional questions are reflective of the normal effects of aging.
- D. At this age, a review of systems is not necessary; just focus on current problems.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct as additional questions in a review of systems for a 76-year-old patient should address age-related changes. This allows for better assessment of potential health issues specific to older adults. Choice A is incorrect as questions may vary based on age. Choice B is incorrect as age alone does not dictate question changes. Choice D is incorrect as a review of systems is important at all ages for comprehensive patient assessment.
A patient describes an unreasonable, irrational fear of snakes. The feeling is so persistent that he can no longer even look at pictures of snakes without feeling uncomfortable. He has tried to identify all the places where he might encounter snakes and avoids them. The nurse recognizes that:
- A. He has a snake phobia.
- B. He is a hypochondriac. Snakes are usually harmless.
- C. He has an obsession. In this case, it is about snakes.
- D. He has a delusion that snakes are harmful. It must stem from an early traumatic incident involving snakes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: He has a snake phobia. Phobias are irrational and persistent fears of specific objects or situations. In this case, the patient's fear of snakes is unreasonable and causes discomfort even when encountering pictures of snakes. This aligns with the characteristics of a phobia.
Choice B is incorrect as hypochondriasis involves excessive worry about having a serious illness despite medical reassurance. Choice C is incorrect as obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety, while the patient's fear of snakes is more of a specific fear rather than an obsession. Choice D is incorrect as delusions are fixed false beliefs, and the patient's fear of snakes is not based on a false belief but rather an irrational fear.
Which of the following is the best choice for an opening statement with a patient who is in distress?
- A. "Nancy, my name is Mrs. C."
- B. "Hello, Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. It sure is cold today!"
- C. "Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. I'll need to ask you a few questions about what happened."
- D. "Mrs. H., my name is Mrs. C. I'll need to ask you a few questions about what happened."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it directly acknowledges the patient's distress and sets the stage for gathering essential information. By stating the need to ask questions about what happened, it shows empathy and readiness to provide help. Choice A is too formal and lacks empathy. Choice B shifts the focus away from the patient's distress. Choice C is similar to D but lacks the crucial element of acknowledging the patient's emotional state. Thus, D is the best choice for an opening statement in this scenario.