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A patient has suddenly developed shortness of breath and appears to be in significant respiratory distress. Which of the following is the best action for the nurse to take?
- A. Count the respirations, and call a physician immediately.
- B. Percuss the thorax bilaterally, noting any differences in percussion tones.
- C. Inspect the thorax for any masses and bleeding associated with respirations.
- D. Call for a chest x-ray examination, and wait for the results before beginning an assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Percuss the thorax bilaterally, noting any differences in percussion tones. This is the best action because it allows the nurse to assess for potential underlying issues such as pneumothorax or pleural effusion which could be causing the respiratory distress. Percussion can help identify abnormal air or fluid accumulation in the chest.
Choice A is incorrect because simply counting respirations does not provide immediate information on the cause of distress. Choice C is incorrect as inspecting for masses and bleeding does not directly address the urgency of the situation. Choice D is incorrect as waiting for a chest x-ray would delay necessary interventions in a critical situation.
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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 complications?
- A. Pneumonia.
- B. Respiratory failure.
- C. Hypoglycemia.
- D. Hypertension.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory failure. Patients with COPD have impaired lung function, making them at risk for respiratory failure due to inadequate oxygenation. This can occur due to exacerbation of COPD, infections, or other factors. Monitoring for signs of respiratory distress is crucial.
A: Pneumonia - While patients with COPD are at higher risk for pneumonia due to impaired lung function, respiratory failure is a more immediate and critical complication to monitor for in this scenario.
C: Hypoglycemia - COPD does not directly increase the risk of hypoglycemia, so monitoring for this complication is not a priority in this case.
D: Hypertension - Although some patients with COPD may have hypertension, it is not a common complication directly related to COPD. Monitoring for respiratory failure is more essential in this situation.
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of fluid overload?
- A. Shortness of breath and weight gain.
- B. Increased urine output and fatigue.
- C. Dizziness and hypotension.
- D. Nausea and vomiting.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, shortness of breath and weight gain, because fluid overload in patients with chronic kidney disease can lead to pulmonary edema and weight gain due to retained fluid. Shortness of breath occurs as the excess fluid accumulates in the lungs. Increased urine output and fatigue (B) are more indicative of dehydration. Dizziness and hypotension (C) are symptoms of hypovolemia, not fluid overload. Nausea and vomiting (D) are nonspecific symptoms and not typically associated with fluid overload.
A pregnant woman states, "I just know labour will be so painful that I won't be able to stand it. I know it sounds awful, but I really dread going into labour." The nurse responds by stating, "Oh, don't worry about labour so much. I have been through it myself, and yes, it is painful, but there are many good medications to decrease the pain." Which of the following statements about this response is true?
- A. It was a nontherapeutic response. By providing false reassurance, the nurse actually cut off further discussion of the woman's fears.
- B. It was a therapeutic response. The nurse should have shared her own experience with the patient to make her feel better.
- C. It was a nontherapeutic response. The nurse is essentially giving the message to the woman that labour cannot be tolerated without medication.
- D. It was a therapeutic response. By providing false assurance, the nurse created a sense of security and opened the door for more discussion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the nurse's response was therapeutic by sharing her own experience to empathize with the patient. This helps establish a connection and validate the patient's feelings. It shows understanding without dismissing the patient's concerns.
A is incorrect because the nurse did not provide false reassurance but offered a comforting perspective.
C is incorrect as the nurse did not imply that medication was necessary but rather highlighted its availability as an option.
D is incorrect since the response did not provide false assurance but rather shared personal experience to offer support.
A 40-year-old woman presents to the clinic with complaints of fatigue and weight gain. On assessment, the nurse finds that the patient has cold intolerance, dry skin, and a slow heart rate. The nurse suspects:
- A. Hyperthyroidism.
- B. Hypothyroidism.
- C. Cushing's syndrome.
- D. Addison's disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypothyroidism. In this case, the patient's symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, and slow heart rate are indicative of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is underactive, leading to decreased production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism. These symptoms align with the typical clinical presentation of hypothyroidism. Other choices are incorrect because hyperthyroidism (choice A) would present with symptoms like weight loss, heat intolerance, and a fast heart rate. Cushing's syndrome (choice C) and Addison's disease (choice D) are both conditions related to the adrenal glands and would have different symptom presentations compared to what is described in the case scenario.
The nurse is assessing a new patient who has recently immigrated to CanadWhich of the following questions is appropriate to add to the health history questionnaire?
- A. "Why did you come to Canada?"
- B. "When did you come to Canada, and from which country?"
- C. "What made you leave your home country?"
- D. "Are you planning to return to your home country?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. It is important to know when the patient immigrated and from which country for understanding potential health risks, cultural factors, and access to healthcare. Choice A is too broad and may not yield relevant health information. Choice C focuses on personal reasons for leaving the home country, which may not be medically relevant. Choice D is forward-looking and may not be necessary for the initial assessment.