A patient asks the nurse several questions about their diagnosis and treatment options. What is the nurse's primary responsibility in responding to these questions?
- A. Provide brief and vague answers to avoid overwhelming the patient.
- B. Refer the patient to the physician for all medical-related questions.
- C. Listen actively and provide accurate, honest, and comprehensive answers.
- D. Ignore the patient's questions and focus on completing other tasks.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse's primary responsibility in responding to a patient's questions about their diagnosis and treatment options is to listen actively and provide accurate, honest, and comprehensive answers. This approach helps build trust between the patient and the healthcare team, allows the patient to make informed decisions about their care, and ensures that the patient understands their condition and the recommended treatment plan. Providing vague answers or ignoring the patient's questions can lead to confusion, anxiety, and mistrust, which can hinder the patient's overall care and recovery. Referring the patient to the physician for all questions may be appropriate for certain medical inquiries, but the nurse plays a crucial role in educating and supporting the patient throughout their healthcare journey.
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After administering anesthesia to the patient, the nurse notices a sudden drop in blood pressure. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer vasopressors to increase blood pressure
- B. Assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation
- C. Document the blood pressure readings in the anesthesia record
- D. Notify the anesthesiologist immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's priority action after noticing a sudden drop in blood pressure after administering anesthesia is to assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). This is crucial to determine the immediate cause of the sudden drop in blood pressure and to ensure the patient's safety and stability. Assessment of the ABCs will help identify any potential airway obstruction, respiratory distress, or circulatory issues that may be contributing to the drop in blood pressure. Once the assessment is done, appropriate interventions can be initiated to stabilize the patient's condition. Administering vasopressors, documenting the blood pressure readings, and notifying the anesthesiologist are important actions but assessing the ABCs takes precedence in this situation to ensure the patient's immediate needs are addressed.
Which of the following dental conditions is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gingiva, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone?
- A. Dental caries
- B. Gingivitis
- C. Periodontitis
- D. Dental abscess
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Periodontitis is the dental condition characterized by inflammation and destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gingiva (gums), periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. It is usually caused by untreated gingivitis, where plaque buildup along the gumline leads to bacterial infection and inflammation, resulting in destruction of the tissues that support the teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and other complications. Gingivitis, on the other hand, is inflammation of the gums without involvement of the supporting structures, while dental caries refer to tooth decay or cavities in the enamel. Dental abscess is a localized collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection.
This condition has difficulty in progressing stimuli and new information. Alzheimer`s is the most common form of which of these?
- A. Fatigue
- B. Malnutrition
- C. Psychosis
- D. Dementia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability that becomes severe enough to interfere with daily life. It can affect memory, thinking skills, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Alzheimer's disease specifically is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually impairs the ability to carry out simple tasks. Therefore, the provided condition of having difficulty in processing stimuli and new information aligns with the symptoms commonly seen in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
The client has been "pesky," seeking the attention of nurses in the nurses' station much of the day. Now the nurse escorts the client to the room and tells the client to stay there or be put into seclusion. The nurse is threatening to give the client an injection in order to restrain the client for inappropriate behavior. This is an example of
- A. Abuse
- B. Assault
- C. False imprisonment
- D. Battery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: False imprisonment is the act of improperly restraining another individual against their will. In this scenario, the nurse's threat of putting the client into seclusion and administering an injection to restrain them for inappropriate behavior constitutes false imprisonment. The client is being restricted in their movement without valid reason or proper procedure. This type of action is not acceptable in healthcare settings and violates the client's rights. It is important for healthcare professionals to use appropriate de-escalation techniques and interventions to manage challenging behaviors without resorting to threats of physical restraint.
A patient receiving palliative care for end-stage liver disease develops hepatic encephalopathy, presenting with confusion and altered mental status. What intervention should the palliative nurse prioritize to manage the patient's symptoms?
- A. Administer lactulose or other ammonia-lowering agents to reduce ammonia levels.
- B. Initiate intravenous fluid therapy to correct electrolyte imbalances.
- C. Refer the patient to a neurologist for evaluation and treatment of encephalopathy.
- D. Prescribe sedative medications to promote sleep and reduce agitation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for managing hepatic encephalopathy in this patient receiving palliative care for end-stage liver disease is to administer lactulose or other ammonia-lowering agents to reduce ammonia levels. Hepatic encephalopathy is believed to be primarily caused by the accumulation of ammonia in the bloodstream due to compromised liver function. Lactulose works by acidifying the gut lumen, which facilitates the excretion of ammonia in the form of ammonium ions. By reducing ammonia levels, hepatic encephalopathy symptoms, such as confusion and altered mental status, can be improved. Initiating other supportive measures like managing precipitating factors, maintaining hydration, and addressing nutritional issues should also be part of the holistic approach in managing hepatic encephalopathy in palliative care. However, addressing the underlying cause by reducing ammonia levels with lactulose is the priority intervention in this scenario.